| With most homes and nearly all businesses now | | | | The heat of the fuser melts the particles of toner |
| having computers and computer accessories, | | | | which causes them to attach to the paper. The |
| there are many choices of what is needed to | | | | powder used in laser printers creates the text |
| make the system run more efficiently. One option | | | | and images on the paper. Toner sticks to the |
| that computer users have is either ink or toner | | | | paper in a particular pattern as the result of static |
| cartridges for their particular printer. The following | | | | electricity. |
| outlines the differences between ink and toner | | | | Toner composition varies according to the |
| cartridges. | | | | manufacturer. Particle size affects the resolution. |
| Ink Cartridges | | | | For instance, the smaller the toner particles, the |
| Printing with ink is much like writing with a pen on | | | | better the resolution. As well, toner particles with |
| paper. A printer ink cartridge contains liquid ink and | | | | more uniform sizes and shapes results in better |
| he printer uses pressure to apply the ink to the | | | | color of the image being printed. Empty toner |
| paper. Ink cartridges disperses ink through holes in | | | | cartridges are normally refilled by the vendor. |
| the cartridge Ink cartridges have one or more | | | | Quality, long printing life, speed, and efficiency of |
| divided ink wells. Some companies place electronic | | | | laser-imaged applications are a big reason why |
| contacts and a chip that communicates with the | | | | people choose toner cartridges. Toner cartridges |
| printer. The ink is sometimes oil based, but most | | | | are quite large, hold a substantial amount of toner, |
| of the time it is water-based. | | | | and can usually print at least 5,000 pages. The |
| Many people prefer inkjets because the cost is | | | | toner cartridge is more expensive than an in jet |
| reasonable. As well, many like the quality of the | | | | cartridge but it has a much longer printing life. If |
| printed material, the amount of documents and | | | | you print a lot of documents, toner cartridges are |
| images that can be printed before the ink runs | | | | a better choice. |
| out, and the efficiency of inkjets. They like the | | | | When you go to purchase a new printer depends |
| quality of colored images when they are printed | | | | on your own personal needs. It comes down to |
| and one page printed with an ink cartridge can | | | | either an ink let printer or laser printer. Ink jet |
| cost about 5 and 10 cents. It is also very | | | | printers use ink jet cartridges, and laser printers |
| user-friendly. An ink cartridge is a replaceable, ink | | | | use toner cartridges. They're very different, and |
| jet cartridges are compact products that can | | | | knowing a little more about both types might |
| usually fit in the palm of your hand. | | | | make choosing a printer easier. Generic versions |
| Toner Cartridges | | | | of both types of cartridges are widely available, |
| Toner is a fine and dry carbon-based powder | | | | and they can greatly reduce printing costs. |
| mixed with a polymer that is applied to the paper. | | | | The choice is basically up to you so weigh thee |
| The consistency of the powder is much like dust. | | | | pros and cons of each before purchasing. |
| A laser is used to "burn" the toner into the paper. | | | | |