How to determine if the laser printer drum needs to be replaced?

The photoreceptor drum can be considered as the most important component of laser printer units. Its critical function involves the receipt of text and images from the laser scanning assembly and transferring the same to paper to produce the final print. Considering its functionality, the printer drum needs to be replaced periodically to continuously achieve commendable prints. There are a number of indicators that should inform the user whenever the laser printer drum is due for replacement, as follows:

Computer prompts the user. There are only a few printers; particularly colored laser printers, that alert users when the drum needs to be replaced. Usually, the alarm sets off in the form of a flashing message that materializes on the monitor. How convenient for users who operate these types of laser printers. Now they only have to wait for the warning message to set off.

Unclear or blurry printouts. At times, users will come across printouts that are unreadable while having streak marks over the surface of the printed page. This could be a sign that the drum is damaged and needs immediate replacement.

Presence of black spots on printed document. Unwanted marks over the printed page such as black spots indicate that the drum is defective and can no longer be used. This being the case, the user should purchase a replacement drum to be able to resume print jobs.

Light or faded text and images. A noticeable change in print out quality such as faded prints could imply that the drum is nearing the end of its serviceable life or that it is slightly damaged and needs replacing.

Blank printout. Laser printer drums have specified life spans based on the number of printed pages. Thus, when a blank printout is produced, this could only mean that the drum has reached its set lifespan and is due for replacement.

Keen observation is the key to knowing when the laser printer drum needs replacement. Note the abovementioned indicators and have a ready compatible drum replacement on hand to avoid print delays and continuously achieve quality prints.

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To produce decent laser prints and yield at a reasonable price, refill OEM toner cartridges with toner refill kits. The toner refill kit line of Laser Tek Services is cheaper by as much as 80% than the prevailing retail price of OEM toner cartridges.

HP 2600n Laser Printer: Resolving Print Quality Issues

Like most color laser printers, the HP 2600n is no exception as it has had its share of print quality issues. However, unlike other laser printer manufacturers, HP supplied solutions to nagging quality concerns to help its customer base. Most of these issues have ready solutions built into the laser printer unit. The user will simply have to access the printer's control panel where a few touches of a button will automatically resolve printing troubles.

Print quality issues are numerous, but lets try to take a few defects one at a time and present the solutions or steps necessary to correct those. These defects may be commonplace with printouts but can be a bit annoying when these manifest regularly. Remember that all laser printers have print defect issues, and solutions or recommendations to address such will vary from one printer to the next.

Print is light or faded. Faded prints likely result from the use of media (paper) that do not meet HP 2600n specifications. This can easily be resolved by replacing media used with paper specified by the printer. The same defect can also be caused by low toner supply involving one or more toner cartridges. Note that the supply monitor is disabled when cartridges refilled by toner refill kits are loaded into the printer. Thus, the user needs to manually inspect each cartridge and determine which is due for replenishment or replacement. However if toner supply is not the issue, the user will have to check the cartridge's roller for any sign of damage. If the roller is indeed damaged, then replacing the defective toner cartridge becomes necessary.

Toner specks over printouts. This is again due to incorrect use of media (paper) that do not meet the specifications of the HP 2600n laser printer. Or this could also ensue from a dirt ridden paper path which can be cleaned easily by accessing the HP Toolbox online help.

Dropouts. Dropouts that appear on the printout could be due to defective paper where the only remedy is to do a reprint of the page in question. Another cause for dropouts is the moisture content of paper. Print quality defects could materialize when paper surface is uneven and with moist spots as well. The ready solution is to use high-quality paper intended solely for color laser printing.

These are just a few of the several print defects users normally encounter in the course of laser printing. And since color laser printing is really expensive, users have the option of using compatible toner to cut back on printing expenses.

Configure your HP 2600n Laser Printer and avoid printing quality issues

The HP Laserjet 2600n color laser printer has been devised to be user friendly and is therefore outfitted with functionalities that guide first time users over the state of the art features of the unit. A user will simply have to browse the service manual more closely to appreciate the laser printer's capabilities and likewise be able to resolve pertinent cleaning and maintenance issues through its control panel.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/ / CC BY 2.0

Avoiding, identifying and even correcting print defects is a standard feature of the HP 2600n color printer. Simply refer to the legibly charted, print quality issues checklist to identify the problem. Any encountered print quality defect has an accompanying solution presented on the chart and troubleshooting could be performed conveniently through the control panel - without even opening the laser printer. Below is a rundown of the common causes of print defects encountered in the use of an HP 2600n laser printer.

Type of print media used is a typical cause of most print defects; particularly when transparencies loaded do not meet printer specifications. Laser printer users should know that print quality is at its best when paper used is coated or with that smooth, glossy surface. If special print media is loaded for the printout of labels, transparencies, collaterals and letterhead, make sure that an appropriate print setting is selected on the control panel so that the desired printout quality will be generated.

Low toner supply also contributes reasonably to print quality problems. Thus, it becomes necessary to periodically monitor the Supplies Status Page of the printer to know if consumables' supply levels are already low or empty. Note however that the supplies status monitor do not operate when a refilled toner cartridge is loaded into the laser printer Therefore, the information prompt is not available for toner cartridges replenished with a toner refill kit. Nonetheless, printing continues but the user will just have to manually check if the cartridge requires a refill.

When the unit is printing incorrectly, the trouble is usually associated with software used. At this point, it's time to call HP Customer Care or perhaps search for a solution outlined in the flyer that comes with the packaging. However if printing is successful with the supplied program called the HP Toolbox, then the problem most likely lies with the printer driver. Now if the laser printer is running on a different software, then the culprit is probably the software. To correct this problem, restart both the printer and computer and try to print anew.

Most print quality problems pertinent to the HP 2600n color laser printer have remedies and the solutions can be accessed outright on the laser printer's control panel.

5 Recycling Tips for the Brother TN-350 Toner Cartridge

Are you intending to refill the toner supply of your Brother TN-350 toner cartridge? Why not use the Brother TN-350 toner refill kit to just that. The refill product comes supplied with high grade toner powder that is designed to deliver the same quality prints and yield as the OEM toner. Refilling the toner cartridge is so easy that you can actually complete replenishment in less than 5 minutes. As an added reference, find below a few tips relevant to the replenishment and Maintenance of the TN-350 toner cartridge.

Vacuum Dry the toner cartridge’s supply chamber. As much as 70 grams of toner routinely lingers in the supply chamber of the toner cartridge, even when the printer has already alerted you with the “Toner Out” prompt. Thus, before proceeding with the refill, make sure that the toner hopper or supply chamber is sucked free off toner residues. Failure to do so will cause backgrounding and may even damage the toner cartridge.

Clean the Developer Roller and Blade. Using the lint free cloth, wipe off bits of toner powder that may be sticking to the developer roller and blade. Again, this will keep the cartridge from backgrounding while extending its serviceable life.

Replace worn out components. If it’s the second or third time that the cartridge is being replenished of toner, better inspect the condition of pertinent parts. Replaceable components such as the drum, transfer roller, doctor blade and developer roller will wear out over time and will require replacement to ensure the cartridge’s sustained functioning.

Clean the printer before and after replacing the cartridge. Apart from tidying the laser printer’s casing as well as removing spilled toner powder, dust and paper fragments; it is also recommendable to perform automatic cleaning and test prints using the printer’s bundled software.

Do not recycle toner powder. Used toner will not only cause backgrounding but also contaminate the cleaning mechanism of the drum unit. Eventually, bad toner will contaminate the newly installed toner and shorten the cartridge’s useful life.

Do not use chemicals to clean cartridge components. Avoid using ammonia based cleaners to prevent causing permanent damage to the toner cartridge. Instead, use a dry, lint free cloth to clean cartridge internal components.

Do not touch the transfer roller and fusing area. Avoid hand contact with the transfer roller and fusing area. Doing so would leave skin oils on the surface which could trigger print quality problems and affect the fusing of toner powder to paper respectively.

Observe proper gear maintenance. The gear side of the toner cartridge also requires careful maintenance to guarantee the proper functioning of the unit. The gear shafts should be adequately greased and replaced with lithium grease if shaft is dried up. In case toner powder contaminates the grease, the shaft and gear should be wiped clean of toner to avoid backgrounding and cartridge damage.

Take note of the above mentioned tips and follow closely the instructional material supplied with the kit; and surely you’ll have that toner cartridge going again in a few minutes. But just in case you encounter troubles along the way while refilling the cartridge with the Brother toner refill kit, rest assured that you have available over-the-phone customer assistance for your inquiries and other concerns.

What you need to know about Toner Refill Kits and Remanufactured Cartridges?

Are you a first time toner refill kit user? If yes, then most likely you’ve come across terms that may have piqued your interest for the time being. And so to help expedite your understanding of the nitty-gritty of cartridge remanufacturing and toner replenishment, find below a discussion of a few terminologies that is relevant to the business and use of refill toners and toner cartridge remanufacturing.


Melt and Pour versus Unplug and Pour.
In the world of cartridge remanufacturing, cartridge units are categorized into 2 types: the Drill and Fill type (Now regarded as the Melt and Pour method) while the other one is called the Unplug and Pour type.

The melt and pour system is an earlier refill method that requires users to melt a hole into the cartridge’s casing to create a fill hole. This created fill hole becomes the transfer point for toner powder to the cartridge’s toner chamber and is sealed with electrical tape. HP Canon and Lexmark brand toner cartridges are refilled in this manner. Meanwhile, the Unplug and Pour method of refill is applicable to particular OEM cartridge models such as Brother and Samsung, where users are required to remove screws attached to the casing so that the plug concealing the toner bin is revealed.

Prior to the purchase of a toner refill kit, determine what type of refill method is appropriate for the cartridge you intend to reuse for another cycle of printing. HP 2600 toner cartridges do not come with a plug hole. Thus, you will need an electronic toner refill tool to replenish its toner supply.


Matte Finish versus Glossy Finish.
Are you printing photographs or office documents? Depending on the print job required, toner refill kits are also engineered to meet pertinent output specifications. In the print out of images and graphics, a touch of gloss would definitely produce vibrant images with a shiny finish. Thus, getting a glossy finish toner refill kit for your cartridge will serve that purpose. In case print jobs are limited to the print out of text documents, a matte finish refill kit will suffice. Photographic images would appear grainy and lackluster when a matte-finish refill kit is used. So prior to purchase, check out the nature of the print job.


Standard Yield versus High Yield.
The gram weight of the toner supplied would determine the yield (in number of pages) for a particular bottle of toner. Nonetheless, any user should know that cartridges coming from the same model and of the same laser printer brand use the same plastic casing. Thus, a standard yield cartridge can be converted into a high yield cartridge by simply purchasing a high yield toner refill kit.

How to refill HP 2600 color cartridges?

The color cartridges of the HP Laserjet 2600 series of laser printers are refilled through the melt and pour method just like most OEM toner cartridges. But what’s unique about HP cartridges is that it does not come with a fill hole/fill plug component that allows the easy transfer of fresh toner powder into the toner supply chamber. Moreover, a waste chamber – where used toner is collected, forms part of its design; to thus add a step or two into the refill process.

Well, that shouldn’t discourage you from reloading an empty HP cartridge. Just prepare the necessary materials and tools; follow instructions to the tee and you can never go wrong!

Materials and Tools:

• Empty HP Q6000A, Q6001A, Q6002A or Q6003A
• HP 2600 Toner Refill Kit 4 Pack (Includes 4 color bottles of fresh toner powder, 4 funnel caps, 4 pairs of latex gloves, toner wipes and instructional manual)

• Replacement / Reset Chip (Should be supplied with the kit)
• Refill Tool
• Electrical Tape
• X-Acto knife
• Toner Vacuum (optional)
• Trash Bin

Procedure:

Cleaning the Waste Chamber

1. Pull out the refill tool and plug into an outlet. Allow it to heat up for 1 to 3 minutes.
2. Once heated up, gently push the refill tool’s tip over a specific section of the cartridge (see manual) to create an opening for the waste chamber. Be sure to remove the circular plastic piece carved out by the tool if it should fall into the bin.
3. Turn the cartridge upside down over a trash can to empty toner residues filling the waste bin. Apply suction using a toner vacuum (optional).
   
4. Seal the hole with electrical tape thereafter.

Cleaning the Toner Supply Chamber

1. Melt a second hole on another section of the cartridge (see manual) using the refill tool to create an opening for the toner supply chamber.
2. Perform the same set of cleaning instructions intended for the waste chamber but do not seal the fill hole just yet.

Replenishing Toner Supply

1. Pull out from the kit the bottle of replacement toner that corresponds to the color cartridge being refilled.
2. Shake the bottle gently to loosen toner powder
3. Attach the funnel cap to the mouth of the bottle and position the cap’s end into the fill hole.
4. Carefully pour toner from the bottle to the fill hole to replenish the cartridge’s toner supply.
5. Seal the hole with an electrical tape thereafter. Do not attempt to cover the hole with a fill plug as the plug will block a rotating blade from the inside of the cartridge.

Replacing the Reset Chip

The cartridge’s reset chip needs to be replaced to reset the print counter and get rid of the low toner message. Being a lockout chip, the printer will keep reading the refilled cartridge as empty and you won’t be able to proceed with print jobs.

1. Locate the reset chip. This is found on the rear of the supply chamber.
2. Carefully cut the plastic tabs holding the chip with the use of an X-Acto knife.
3. Insert the knife blade beneath the chip’s base and slide it upward away from its housing.
4. Pull out the replacement chip from the kit and insert it into the housing with the (gold plated) contact side of the chip facing out.
5. Gently shake the cartridge from side to side to distribute the toner evenly and load the cartridge back into the printer to conduct test prints.
   

Print defects? Prevent It From Recurring Again.

Print defects that show up on the printed page again and again can be very annoying. Print quality problems not only mess up the output but also increase final printing costs measured in terms of man hours lost to troubleshooting, transparencies wasted in the process and related opportunity costs. This could be likely attributed to a worn out OPC drum and rollers or a fuser heater that could not deliver sufficient heat to melt the toner particles. But with new laser printers, the culprit for recurring print defects is most likely a defective toner cartridge.

Yes, most print defects usually emanate from defective OEM toner cartridges. While manufacturers can guarantee the unfailing performance of its consumables, there is always 2% defect margin. Therefore, it is always advisable for users to order replacement cartridges in pairs (if budget allows) so that print jobs need not be put off in case one cartridge fails and pending the delivery of a replacement unit from the reseller.

Lets take a look at some of the print defects ensuing from a defective toner cartridge. Possible diagnosis of defects can range from low toner supply which is generally manageable to cartridge part malfunction that can be resolved through servicing or replacement and acquiring low quality toner supplied by resellers which should be avoided at all costs.

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Print Defects:

• Blank or black pages
• Thin vertical lines or repetitive horizontal lines
• Vertical white lines and stripes
• Background scatter
• Dirty back page
• Toner smear on one side of the printout
• Vertical fogged stripes
• Bubble print
• Compressed print
• White horizontal line
• Horizontal fogged stripes

Possible Cause: Cartridge is empty, low in toner supply or not properly loaded to the printer.
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Print Defect: Thin and dark vertical lines appearing on the printout.

Possible Cause: Defective Fuser Assembly. Fuser requires maintenance; its capability evaluated and replaced when necessary.
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Print Defects:

• Printed image is skewed
• Printing begins at the center of the page not on top

Possible Cause: Paper tray is not loaded correctly or is overloaded
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Print Defect: Leading edge of paper is curled.

Possible Cause: Type of paper used do not meet the laser printer’s specification
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Some other print defects could be attributed to mechanical parts lapses and computer panel settings which can be corrected using fine troubleshooting techniques.However if the problem concerns low toner supply, use a compatible toner refill kit to replenish toner supply and remedy the situation.

HP Toner Cartridges: Difficult to Remanufacture but Easy to Refill

HP toner cartridges can be thought of as remanufacturing – averse. Now what makes me say this stems from the intricate design of its cartridge units! For one, the absence of a fill hole in its design prevents the conduct of convenient toner refills – unlike Brother and Samsung toner cartridges. On the other hand, a waste chamber is incorporated into the HP cartridge unit. While hard to tinker given its small size, the waste chamber is tightly glued with other cartridge parts such as the drum, blades and wipers. This way, the user needs to break apart the cartridge to remanufacture it. Moreover, the waste chamber requires cleaning prior to toner supply replenishment which adds a step or two into the refill process.

Difficult to Remanufacture
Given the design of HP cartridges such as the Q6000A, Q6001A, Q6002A and Q6003A of the HP Laserjet 2600 series; remanufacturing it can be quite of a challenge as remanufacturers need to handle pertinent parts carefully when cleaning or replacing the OPC drum and blade, as well as in its reassembly to the waste chamber in order to prevent print quality defects and waste toner overflow. Good thing an entire replacement waste chamber set is now available. But then again, the remanufacture of HP cartridges is best left in the hands of cartridge remanufacturers.

Easy to Refill
Performing cartridge refills however is something any regular laser printer user can undertake to save on laser printing costs. The color cartridges of the HP 2600 laser printer can easily be loaded with fresh toner supply by melting holes on pertinent cartridge sections to expose the toner supply chamber and waste chamber and after conducting a few maintenance procedures. The user only needs to secure an HP 2600 toner refill kit, a refill tool and electrical tape to perform do-it-yourself refills.

The refill process includes the (1) clean up of the waste and toner supply chambers (2) refill of the supply chamber and (3) Replacement of Reset Chip. All these will be explained in detail in a succeeding post.

How to Refill the Brother TN-350 toner cartridge?

When printouts manifest dusting and poor quality prints, the toner supply of the TN-350's toner chamber is most likely nearing exhaustion while residual toner particles are literally ‘dead’ and no longer capable of accepting even the maximum electrical charge. In that case, it is now time to reload fresh toner powder into the toner chamber with the use of Brother TN-350 toner refill kit.

Here's how the Brother TN-350 toner cartridge is replenished of its toner supply:

Getting Started
First and foremost, ascertain that your empty TN-350 toner cartridge is still in good working condition, as conducting refills on a defective cartridge defeats the purpose of reloading it. Select a work area with sufficient space that is thoroughly lighted and free from sudden wind movement as well. Likewise perform the refill on a sturdy workbench and provide a trashcan beside it.

Opening the Toner Chamber
Now put the empty TN-350 toner cartridge on the workbench and uncover the duct tape seal of the fill plug. Pry open the fill plug with the use of a small flathead screwdriver and possibly with a needle-nosed pliers. Most new generation toner cartridges (except Canon and HP) are designed with fill holes to thus streamline the refill process.

Cleaning the Toner Chamber
Dump toner residues from the toner hopper. The fill hole should be positioned over the trashcan for easy disposal of waste toner. After that, clean the insides of the toner chamber properly and apply suction with the use of a toner vacuum as much as possible.

Unlike other OEM toner cartridges, a toner waste chamber does not form part of the design of Brother toner cartridges. Instead of collecting waste toner on a separate compartment, used toner is repelled from the drum and transferred back to the toner chamber by the developer roller in the process of printing to blend unused toner with waste toner. This set up can cause backgrounding in printouts when residual toner particles could no longer hold even the maximum charge. That is the reason why the toner chamber should be cleared of residual toner prior to replenishment.

Transferring Fresh Toner from Bottle to Toner Chamber
Pull out the bottle of replacement toner from the kit (Follow this link to preview the contents of a toner refill kit) and shake it a little to loosen toner particles. Now Open the seal and screw on the funnel cap. Directly aim the toner bottle over the fill hole and let toner flow freely. Remember not to squeeze the toner bottle as slight pressure can easily send toner dust airborne. When all of the supplied toner powder already fills the chamber; replace the fill plug and use lint free cloth to clear the outer surface of toner residues.


Resetting the Cartridge
Remove 3 screws holding the end cap as illustrated below to reset the cartridge and get rid of the "Low Toner" message.




Once discarded, adjust the reset gear flag to its starting position. Reinstall the gear cover plate and the 3 screws. Now hold the cartridge and shake it gently to distribute toner to the magnetic roller (developer). The refill process is now complete.


The refill process using Brother toner refill kits is really simple and easy to accomplish at that. All it takes is common sense and patience to restore the cartridge back to working mode.

Standards to Choice of a Printer Unit: Inkjet or Laser Printer?

Buying a printer out of necessity or even under pressure would likely result to the acquisition of a machine that does not even meet a user's printing retinue. Certainly, it is good to be prudent but the cost alone must not dictate the choice of a computer printer. Consumers must conform to industry mandated set rules in order to come up with a printer that suits particular printing requirements. In this regard, choice has been narrowed down to either buying a laser printer or an inkjet and what provides flexibility to the consumer in the course of printing.

Buying an appropriate printer is not as easy as it may seem. Acquiring a good one, particularly a multifunction printer, entails an investment not only in the purchase of the equipment but more so in the replacement of its consumables as well as for periodic maintenance. After all, disposing what is supposed to be a good buy (prior to the end of its serviceable life) just because it runs counter to a workplace's printing rhythm may be hard to swallow. Below are a few standards you can consider in your future purchase of a computer printer.

Use print quality as a gauge. If the user requires high-quality prints, then a laser printer unit is the likely choice as laser technology is designed to deliver clean, razor sharp and crisp copies. Inkjet printers on the other hand utilize micron size inkjet nozzles to literally spray ink onto paper; thus print results will not be as crisp as those produced by laser printers.

Determine networking requirements. If the printer is utilized as a stand alone unit for your home PC, then networking options won't be necessary. But with printer units intended for shared usage across workstations, a network laser printer unit can efficiently provide print sharing capabilities.

Before digging into your budgets to acquire a particular laser printer model, check for interface compatibility from the print server linking the network to the Operating Systems running the workstations and finally the printer drivers subject for installation. This will help prevent hardware failure and likewise avoid lost hours and costs related to faulty print sharing.

Ascertain speed requirements. If the user couldn't care less about how many pages a printer can churn out per minute, then an inkjet printer will do. But if high print speeds is required by print jobs, then getting a laser printer is the obvious choice because laser printers are designed with print speeds set in ppm (pages per minute) that are 6 to 10 times faster than inkjets.

Check your budget. Laser printers are much more expensive than inkjets with printer units retailing for at least $300. Meanwhile, basic inkjets can be acquired for less than $100. Consumables portray a different story as toner cartridges outlast all kinds if ink cartridges. Imagine buying an ink cartridge weekly for $25, compared to an OEM toner cartridge at $80 which can last for over 6 months. Certainly CPP (printing cost per page) for laser printing is very much lower than inkjet printing. CPP can also be significantly reduced when empty toner cartridges are reloaded with fresh toner powder using compatible toner refill kits.

Obviously laser printers tend to be much more dependable and reliable than inkjet printers because the former is designed to last longer and perform better than inkjets.

Always consider the above factors that will impinge on your choice when buying a printer.

Paper Matters in laser printing: How paper is classified?

The type of paper used as print medium is critical to any application. From the print out of regular letter documents and marketing collateral in laser printers to print jobs involving monochrome and color photographs - down to commercial printing; the transparency utilized for a particular print job reveals the intentions of the material being disseminated. To put it more bluntly, the type of paper used determines the importance of the message printed on it.

For inter-office memos, an uncoated, multi-purpose type of paper will suffice as only resident personnel are privy to it. But for brochures, flyers, signages and press kits; high gloss paper must be used to catch the attention of prospective clients or intended publics. Moreover, high quality paper with sophisticated finish is often required for invitations, annual report covers and stock certificates, among others; given the formality by which these documents are being distributed.

Paper Quality Classification

The category under which paper quality falls has been subdivided into three types, where each category comes set with distinctive characteristics to fit the various printing requirements of users. The 3 categories are as follows:

A Grade Papers. High white, smooth and bright surfaces typically describe paper grouped into this category. Used primarily for corporate letterhead, business cards and other prestigious documents, A grade papers can be fed to different kinds of printers - both inkjets and laser printers included.

B Grade Papers. Though not as refined as A Grade in quality in terms of finish, transparencies classified under this category are considered good quality paper that is intended for the print out of internal reports and other communications. This type is preferred for use on monochrome printers.

C Grade Papers. Paper classified under C Grade have inferior finish properties (if coated) to become the opposite of Paper Grades A and B. Utilized mainly for regular print jobs such as an inter-office memo and random computer printer printouts, C Grade types of paper are designed primarily for high volume printing (printer jams are seldom encountered) but cannot compete in appearance to Grades A or B.

Depending on the significance of the document to be printed, users must be conscious to pick the right paper quality to commensurate particular requirements.


Additional paper classification

Paper can also be classified as soft gloss, high gloss color laser papers, photo gloss paper and the realistic non-tear paper.

• Thinner, Soft Gloss Paper carries a weight rating of 40 lbs and typically used for covers on single sided documents.
• High Gloss Laser Paper sports an appearance similar to magazine pages incorporated with the thinner 40 lb. or the heavier 58 lb. laser gloss.
• Photo Gloss Paper produces a mirror-like, photographic gloss with its output.
• Non-tear Paper is durable and is indistinguishable from the normal fiber based paper; is uncoated and does not feel like plastic. It is also tear-resistant, grease-resistant and water-resistant.

Always remember though that the lesser pages we print results in the reduced number of trees cut down because paper is a wood fiber based office consumable.

Below is a satire depicting the use of an appropriate transparency over machines that use static electricity, toner, drum and heat to produce image on paper.

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To produce decent laser prints and yield at a reasonable price, refill OEM toner cartridges with toner refill kits. The toner refill kit line of Laser Tek Services is cheaper by as much as 80% than the prevailing retail price of OEM toner cartridges.

Paper Matters in Laser Printing: What to look for in paper?

Printout quality does not only depend on toner formulation but also on the type of paper fed to the laser printer for a particular print job. Toner powder was designed to adhere to paper fibers - following fusing, where pertinent paper characteristic such as weight, opacity and coating dictate the outcome of laser printed copies.

All these will be vital to the selection of paper to match pertinent applications and produce the desired printouts as well. To this end, this post will briefly discuss the distinctive attributes of paper and likewise provide a rundown of paper types that is suitable to a particular application.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cutesherry/ / CC BY 2.0

When buying paper products for your laser printer, you will need to be familiar with 4 basic features – particularly weight, finish, opacity and brightness.

Weight defines the thickness of paper measured in pounds (#). A 20# offset paper would work well with everyday printouts such as academic reports, photocopies and drafts. It would be more appropriate to use thicker paper, say 24# for business correspondence such as letters and business papers.

Finish pertains to the texture of paper which could either be coated or uncoated. Coated paper has been treated with certain compounds to achieve that glossy, smooth surface. Uncoated paper meanwhile has not been subjected to treatment and retains that dull, unreflective surface. Coated paper works best with laser printers as its surface luster will emphasize printed text and images. This will further enhance the readability of the document and likewise produce an aesthetic appeal.

Opacity refers to the transparency rating of paper. Prints are often visible on the reverse, unprinted side of a transparency when a paper of minimal thickness and weight is used for laser printing. While weight is a major factor of opacity; absorbency and paper fiber components also affect how much of printing shows through on the reverse side. When using laser printers with duplex printing capabilities or merely intending to print on both sides of paper; transparencies with higher opacity will be useful for these print jobs.

Brightness determines the amount of light that paper reflects. Typically, around 60% to 90% of light is reflected by paper which has differing impact on image quality. Images and text are usually more vivid when laser printed on paper with a higher brightness rating. For the printout of everyday documents and reports, brightness ratings of 92 and below will suffice. Meanwhile for collaterals such as brochures, flyers and newsletters among others, a brightness rating of 94 and above is recommended.

Operating a laser printer does not only entail the prudent sourcing of consumables, i.e. toner cartridges, toner refill kits and other compatibles but also the proper selection of transparencies to achieve good quality, laser printed copies.

What's Inside a Toner Refill Kit?

Manufacturers of toner refill kits put a premium on convenience and that is the reason why the refill procedure is so easy to follow through. Just like the order of champagne in hotels, the bottle comes packed in ice and glasses for expediency. This is the concept behind the design of toner refill kits - to provide users a hassle-free conduct of the refill process. As such, the user not only gets supplied with a bottle of replacement toner powder, but also all the other tools necessary for a successful refill.

Let us look into the materials and tools that are typically bundled with the toner refill kit:

Compatible Toner. The bottle of compatible toner is the most important part of the kit since the supplied fresh powder will replace the depleted toner supply of the cartridge. Compatible toner is made of high-grade carbon and polymer components that is 100% compatible with the cartridge subject for refill.

Funnel Cap. The kit also comes with a funnel cap. Said device is attached to the toner bottle rim to assist the user in the transfer of toner powder to the hopper and avoid toner spills in the course of the refill.

Latex Gloves. Since contact with the toner powder could not be avoided, a pair of latex gloves is an integral part of the kit. The wear of said gloves during refill helps prevent the onset of stains and blemishes over the hands.

Lint-free Toner Wipes. The item is used to clear toner residues lingering over cartridge surfaces which is typical during the course of the refill.

Instructional Manual. Of course, the user can't proceed with the refill without an instructional material that would outline the step by step refill process. The procedures come illustrated with photos which only simplifies comprehension of the set procedures.


Other tools, though not bundled with the toner refill kit, may be required such as:

Reset Chip. Toner cartridges such as the HP Q6000A are outfitted with a lockout chip that prevents the cartridge from performing print jobs after the printout of a particular number of pages. As such, the lockout chip needs to be replaced with a third party reset chip which is either supplied with the kit or sold separately.

Refill Tool. While other cartridges are designed with fill plugs to conceal the toner hopper's fill hole, toner cartridges such as those of HP do not have fill holes to begin with. Thus, the need to create a hole on the casing, leading to the toner hopper becomes necessary. The refill tool comes in handy to this end and allows the user to melt holes over the toner hopper and the waste chamber as well.

Get your toner refill kits and refill accessories from legitimate vendors such as Laser Tek Services, Inc. Expect our toner products to be 100% compatible with the cartridge you intend to refill.

The Real Deal About Single-Pass Laser Printers

The history of color laser printers evolved much like the way inkjet printers advanced from monochrome printing several decades ago to the slick photo printers that are popular nowadays. In time, color laser printers will outstrip monochrome laser printers in sales as new laser printer technologies bring to the market high performing and yet affordable color units.

With the addition of single-pass laser printer technology, color printing has never been more simple and interesting than what multi-pass laser printers were capable of during its heyday. We are in a time warp as the future of color printing is now here today.

Single-Pass Technology
What makes a single pass color laser printer unique is its technology that allows for more speedy color reproduction, increased print speeds for color outputs at the rate of 8 to 24 pages per minute or ppm. These speeds are now possible with color units as each of the 4 color toner cartridges operate with individual photoreceptor drums and rollers.

Under this printing method, transparencies circulate over 4 toner cartridge bins in just a single pass - which consequently resulted to faster printing at 4x the speed of multi-pass printers as well as increased ppm outputs . Theoretically however, furnishing the unit with 4 sets of drums and rollers - instead of just one, makes the single-pass laser printer a bit more pricey. Okidata C3400n, HP 2600n and DELL 3000CN, are just few of the single-pass laser printers released in the market.

Multi-Pass Technology

The multi-pass laser printer on the other hand delivers color prints at a relatively slower pace. The same sheet of paper is made to travel a longer path as it goes through four successive printing phases - one pass for each of the 4 toner cartridges. And because the sheet rolls over 4 times, the average printing speed for multi-pass printers is only between 3 to 5 ppm for color outputs.

Technically, the acquisition cost for multi-pass color laser printers should come out lower since only a single receptor drum is utilized for all the four-color toner cartridges. A reliable printer of this type is the HP3100 and the Canon MP6000, both of which are still in the market.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/ / CC BY 2.0 The HP 2600n laser printer operates with a singlepass inline engine.

Color Laser Printing in the Future
In the future the single-pass color printer should dominate the printer market as most manufacturers are shifting gears towards this direction. For the moment, only 46% of the market is served by said printing technology. The main thrust of this new technology involves the capability to print high-resolution text and graphics in razor sharp, rich vibrant colors that are delivered at remarkable print speeds.

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To produce decent laser prints and yield at a reasonable price, refill OEM toner cartridges with toner refill kits. The toner refill kit line of Laser Tek Services is cheaper by as much as 80% than the prevailing retail price of OEM toner cartridges.

Regular Maintenance + Quality Laser Paper Helps Extend Laser Printer Life

Trouble-free operation is generally manifested in the first year run of a brand new laser printer. From then on, many regular laser printer users have noticed diminishing unit efficiency which eventually compelled them to immediately acquire a replacement unit to sustain printing requirements. While it is typical for machine efficiency to slowly deteriorate with the passing of time, this can be managed through proper equipment maintenance as well as in the exclusive use of specified laser printer transparencies or paper. Disregard for the conduct of regular printer maintenance as well as use of questionable transparencies likely prompted the early retirement of the laser printer.

Laser Printer Maintenance
Laser printers, just like any other equipment, require periodic cleaning and maintenance. Experts recommend printer cleaning twice a year. As much as possible, allow only professional laser printer technicians to render maintenance work on your printer. Expert technicians usually complete maintenance work in a matter of 40 to 45 minutes

Laser Printer Paper
Meanwhile, users need to be very selective in the use of paper to feed the laser printer. Understand that papers differ in substance, formulation, grade, weight and finish. And while regular stock paper can be used, take note that toner powder embeds efficiently on the fibers of hard stock paper.

When using coated paper on the other hand, be very particular over the clay content of the transparency as paper with higher clay density percentage tends to swell during the winter months. This makes paper abrasive to printer components; thus increasing the incidence of paper jams and likewise contributing to the wear and tear of components it comes in contact with. By using quality paper, you not only reduce the occurrence of paper jams but also avoid expensive service calls for your laser printer.

Always make it a habit to have your laser printer serviced annually, because a clean and fine tuned printer will provide users trouble free printing year after year and allows dollar savings in the process.

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To produce decent laser prints and yield at a reasonable price, refill OEM toner cartridges with toner refill kits. The toner refill kit line of Laser Tek Services is cheaper by as much as 80% than the prevailing retail price of OEM toner cartridges. LTS offers an extensive line of refill kits compatible with the cartridges of leading laser printer brands such as Brother, Canon, Samsung, HP, Epson, Xerox, Lexmark, Konica Minolta, Dell, Okidata and Sharp. So take note of your printer's model or cartridge number today and place an order on our site www.lasertekservices.com.

Why compatible toner can produce OEM-quality prints?

Do you really know what materials are used in the manufacture of those miniscule; electrically-charged powder that adheres and forms images on paper? Moreover, what particular specifications constitute compatible toner powder that allows it to produce decent prints and achieve a yield rating similar to that of the OEM toner?

Chances are that most consumers really do not care so long as the toner product can deliver the print quality and yield it is bruited about. But here is a quick look at toner composition in general and the specifications pertinent to its production.

Toner Powder Composition

Special polymers with low melting points make up the composition of toner powder where each micron-sized grain has been jet milled to a certain particle size in order to match the resolution specifications of the laser printer. These factors combined produce different toner formulations from one manufacturer to another and likewise from one printer model to the next.

Compatible Toner Specifications

Toner grain size. Grain size is set based on the laser printer's dpi (dots per inch) setting which determines potential resolution or the ability of the laser beam to carve the dot size on the photoreceptor drum's surface.Compatible toner supplied with toner refill kits is produced to duplicate the varying grain requirement set per laser printer model. Duplication is important, as an unmatched grain size will result in poor print resolution.

Toner melting point. Toner powder is characterized with low melting points but the melted particles cool rapidly to create a strong, permanent bond with the paper। Heat requirement is dependent on grain size, composition and is likewise designed to match the operating capacity of the fuser; since laser printers require differing temperatures to facilitate bonding of toner particles to paper fibers.

Extreme temperature on the other hand will cause paper burns and prevent toner from being melted properly and consequently adhering to paper. Thus, third party manufacturers likewise observe OEM toner melting point in the design and production of compatible toner.

Toner gram weight. Toner gram weight determines cartridge yield or rating. As such, OEM toner and compatible toner of similar composition and grain size but with differing gram weight will produce varying yield. Toner with less gram weight will definitely generate lesser printed pages.

OEM quality prints and yield is produced when compatible toner supplied with toner refill kits (1) comes in a grain size that matches printer requirements (2) is set with heat temperature that is enough to melt toner and (3) has a similar gram weight as the OEM toner.

Demand for MFPs, Laser Printers Sustained Despite Difficult Times

Multi-function Printers sustained its lead in the sale of printer peripherals worldwide. According to a recent news release by the IDC, monochrome MFPs prevailed over other technology segments in terms of total sales at $4.2 billion while its color printer counterpart is gaining ground and closely following its lead.

Although the worldwide hardcopy peripherals market growth rate declined by 21% in 2009, the industry still managed to ship in 24.1 million units by the end of the second quarter. Over the same period as reported by IDC, shipment value declined by 23.2% to only11.6 billion euros.

Market Share of Printer Manufacturers

Despite the economic downturn, 5 giant printer manufacturers posted moderate market projections based on units sold and revenues accrued. Figures were based on the August 2009 Hardcopy Peripherals Market Share and Year-Over-Year Growth Report of IDC.

• Printing Giant Hewlett Packard (HP) still tops unit shipments despite dropping 4 market share points - from 44% in 2008 to 40% in 2009, and remains to be the worldwide leader in the supply of printing peripherals.


• Canon came in second but achieved impressive growth rates to outperform other vendors from the top 5 by increasing its market share from 17% in 2008 to 20% in 2009 and achieving a positive growth rate of 5%. Canon's US shipments meanwhile achieved a solid 7% growth rate for the same period.


• Increasing its worldwide market share by 1%, Epson was able to sustain its position as the third largest supplier of hardcopy peripherals. Epson follows Canon closely in terms of growth rate at -13% and managed a 1% growth rate for its US segment.


• Despite the gains in market share, Brother came in only at a distant fourth while growth rates dropped to -18% in both worldwide and US markets..


• Lexmark tails the pack at number 5 with over 1 million unit shipments worldwide in 2009 but advanced to rank no 3 in the US by gaining 2 market share points and a positive growth rate of 3%.

Amidst uncertainty, the giant printer manufacturers downplayed the economic turmoil and managed to stay financially viable.

Consumer Preference

With consumer spending down to an all time low, the novelty of both monochrome and color MFP’s have the greatest appeal to cost-conscious consumers; given the bundled scanning, faxing and printing functions all rolled into one. The prudent and smart consumer will always pick a product that is cost-effective while efficient and likewise eco-friendly.

Notwithstanding the expensive consumables of a laser printer that is way beyond the budget in these hard times, the presence of the toner refill kits in the market likely provides consumers with a sensible option.

How to Handle Toner Spills and Stains?

Have you been refilling toner cartridges lately? Learn about unanticipated - sometimes unavoidable, scenarios that might come about in the course of toner replenishment and the suitable measures that should be taken in response.

Toner goes airborne. Toner is made of fine powder which could easily get airborne from a little wind movement. Thus in the course of refill, toner refill kit users must turn off fans in the room or shut ventilation ducts to prevent the spread of toner. In case such a mess happens, users must leave the room to allow toner to settle down before retrieving the dust and cleaning the room.

Toner spills on fabric. At times, toner can attach to clothing to therefore leave marks and blemishes on the fabric. Given the said situation, users should take in mind to NEVER rub toner particles sticking to the fabric as this will only produce permanent stains on the material. When toner gets into your clothing, the following removal steps are recommended.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravik694/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

1. Blow off toner particles on the fabric or simply use a specialized vacuum cleaner intended for this purpose. Do not use a regular vacuum cleaner since toner powder is static-charged and could produce fire.
2. Put ink remover over the toner residue and let it rest for a few seconds or until toner lightens.
3. Scrub the toner with a brush or an abrasive sponge.
4. In light or gentle mode, machine-wash the fabric. Remember to separate the fabric from any other garment while washing to prevent staining other clothing as well, just in case toner residues have not been completely removed.

Toner spills over furniture. Simply wipe off the spill with a damp cloth on affected area. This should clean the affected surfaces furniture.

Toner spills on hands and powder getting into the eyes. Toner sticking to one's hands and eyes can be very unsettling. But then there’s no need to worry. Just wash your hands and clean the affected eye over cold, tap water until such time that toner is removed. Do remember though, never to use warm water as heat will melt the toner and will cause permanent stains.

There is practically no reason to fret when a toner spill occurs because the residue can be removed easily whether on fabric, furniture, and some body parts.

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To produce decent laser prints and yield at a reasonable price, refill OEM toner cartridges with toner refill kits. The toner refill kit line of Laser Tek Services is cheaper by as much as 80% than the prevailing retail price of OEM toner cartridges. LTS offers an extensive line of refill kits compatible with the cartridges of leading laser printer brands such as Brother, Canon, Samsung, HP, Epson, Xerox, Lexmark, Konica Minolta, Dell, Okidata and Sharp. So take note of your printer's model or cartridge number today and place an order on our site www.lasertekservices.com.

Refilling an Empty Toner Cartridge - Why waste and residual toner should not be recycled?

When conducting toner cartridge refills, it is standard procedure to empty the toner hopper of residual toner powder prior to replenishment. So why is it necessary to rid the hopper of toner residues before instituting refills?

Residual toner from the old toner supply cannot be recycled for the very reason that it may have been contaminated with paper fibers and dust particles. Only fresh toner powder can sustain required charge levels and likewise fuse properly with transparencies to produce quality printouts. Residual toner will likely contaminate the new supply and affect the drum unit's cleaning mechanism. Consequently, this can cause backgrounding, produce blemishes over printouts and also result to toner scatters over paper as contaminated toner will not charge properly.

Emptying residual toner would be much easier for toner cartridges outfitted with fill holes and plugs such as Brother toner cartridges. Below are some useful tips relevant to the removal of excess toner from the toner hopper and on pertinent toner cartridge parts.

1. When handling a Brother toner cartridge, place it over a workbench and rip off the duct tape placed over the white hopper plug. Pry the plug loose using a flat head screwdriver.
2. Once the toner chamber is open, turn the cartridge side down over a trashcan and empty it of loose toner residue.
3. To clean the cartridge inside, use a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum cleaner to catch toner dust particles or a toner vacuum.Said device can effectively remove at least 99.7% of airborne particles up to 0.3 micrometers in size.
4. Refrain from using a conventional vacuum cleaner as toner particles are electrically charged; where transport even through the hoses could deliver static discharge, ignite dust in the bag, create a small explosion damaging the vacuum cleaner and finally distribute toner dust airborne.
5. When finally conducting the refill always place the funnel cap over the rim of the replacement toner bottle to avoid toner spills. Let toner flow freely, do not try to squeeze the plastic bottle tightly as slight pressure could send the toner powder airborne.

The clean-up of empty toner cartridges prior to refills should be a ritual that toner refill kit users should observe in order to get the best quality results in printer printouts.

Laser Printer Drum Unit - Maintenance Tips

Laser printers have built-in control devices that signals the user about an anomaly in the device's operation. When printouts are not as crisp as it used to be and print defects likewise materialize, the LCD would likely prompt the immediate clean up of the drum unit. Whenever the drum unit is due for maintenance, the user has 2 options - either opt for dealer servicing of the laser printer to let them do the dirty job or conduct the maintenance work themselves. If the user prefers the latter, then we have helpful cleaning tips outlined below.

Before performing any maintenance works on the drum unit, take hold of the manual and study more closely the process involved; particularly the dismantling and reassembly of pertinent parts following clean up. In most instances, excess toner sticking on the surface of the photoreceptor drum is the primary cause for print quality defects that is typically collected during paper jams.

Do not touch the drum or overexpose it to light. The photoreceptor drum is photosensitive so take care not to overexpose the unit to light sources. The drum is likewise prone to scratches and dents so remember not to let your fingers touch the surface. Moreover, oil and sweat emanating from the fingers are acidic and could interfere with its photoreceptor function to result in print defects.

Do not use detergents to clean the drum. It is not advisable to use cleaning products such as detergents to clean the photoreceptor drum. Applying chemicals could likely cause damage to the drum's surface. Instead use paper and some cotton buds to get rid of toner residues.

Clean pertinent parts of the drum assembly. The drum assembly compose of the wiper blade, grate, metal guide roller, the photoreceptor drum and the foam roller. While cleaning the rollers is a must to rid it from loose toner sticking to its surface, what requires thorough maintenance include the wiper blade, grate and the cavities of the assembly. As much as possible, use suction over the rollers and crevices to blow off excess toner. It is necessary to clear toner residues over the foam roller as said device is designated to clean the drum. Know that a toner-saturated foam roller can trigger backgrounding.

Once the necessary maintenance procedures have been completed, reassembly of the cartridge unit should come out easy as it is only the reverse of disassembling and putting all the loose parts together. Before proceeding with waiting print jobs, what is recommended is to monitor the restored drum assembly if it rotates regularly and is cleaned properly.

Likewise check the toner cartridge if it has sufficient toner before loading the drum assembly, if not refill the empty cartridge with a compatible toner refill kit and print a few copies for quality. In case the drum has been damaged and is no longer serviceable, you can always get a replacement from OEM sources or from a third party sources. Compatible drum kits such as the Brother DR-510 Compatible Drum is more affordable while set with the same specifications as its OEM counterpart.

Doing maintenance work on your laser printer drum unit is not much to fret about, but the process could be messy if not handled precisely.

Laser Printer Purchase Tips - How to Save on Operating and Consumable Costs?

With all the hype about the low pricing and eco-friendly features of budget laser printers, it is therefore easy to be persuaded into the purchase of small, compact and multifunction laser printers. The acquisition cost definitely is a major factor in our purchase decisions but more importantly, operation and maintenance expenses should be part of the consideration.

In the entire lifespan of the printer unit, the user will be making repeated purchases of pertinent consumables; particularly the toner cartridge and the drum unit (if designed independent from the toner cartridge in the case of Brother and Dell units) among others. Now if you think fine tuning printer settings while utilizing the device’s toner saving features is the ONLY effective way of controlling printing costs, then you’ve got it misunderstood!

Operating costs should have been reckoned prior to acquisition; to consequently dictate the laser printer’s long term viability. Below are some tips to help you close in on a budget printer without compromising the need for manageable consumable and operating expenditure.

Is the print speed reasonable? Don’t be overwhelmed by zippy print speeds. A modest 15 to 20 page per minute speed is reasonable if output is for personal use. If print jobs are limited to typical letter or legal documents, as much as possible don’t get a laser printer that operates at 30 ppm. Speedy laser printers utilize more energy than the slower ones and would have an impact on your power expenditure.

Does the unit come with energy saving features? Get a laser printer that comes programmed with energy saving features, particularly the sleep mode. While it may be prudent to turn the printer off when not in use, that would be inconvenient for networked laser printers. When on sleep mode, the laser printer draws only minimal wattage that makes this the most economical option.

Is the drum unit independent of the toner cartridge? Drum units, when integrated into the toner cartridge, can pump up the cartridge’s pricing. Thus, getting a laser printer that operates with an independent drum unit and toner cartridge will be more economical as the user only needs to replace an empty toner cartridge or a drum unit that has reached the end of its lifespan.

Are third party consumables available for the printer? Toner is the most expensive component of operating a laser printer unit and surely, using OEM consumable replacements all the time won’t likely appeal to your prudent side. So before buying a laser printer, shop for the availability of third party consumables such as toner refill kits, compatible toner cartridges and drum units as well as reset chips. With cheaper consumables at your disposal, the user will definitely be able to effectively manage laser printing costs and considerably reduce printing expenditure in the long run.