Laser Printer Cartridges

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Laser Printer Cartridges

Most consumer and small business laser printers use a cartridge that combines the photoreceptor (sometimes called "photoconductor unit") with the supply toner and waste toner bottles and various wiper blades. When the supply toner is consumed, replacing the cartridge automatically replaces the photoreceptor, waste toner bottle, and blades. Some small consumer printers use a separate toner bottle that can be replaced several times separately from the photoreceptor, allowing for a much lower cost of operation. High-volume business laser printers separate all components into individual modules. Color laser printers are typically more expensive and higher maintenance than monochrome laser printers since they contain more imaging components. Color laser printers intended for high volume use may require supplies that monochrome printers do not use, while the least expensive consumer color laser printers are expected to wear out and fail four times faster during color printing, compared to monochrome printing.

Important considerations with laser printers.

The cost of laser printer technology depends on a combination of factors, including the cost of paper, toner, and infrequent drum replacement, as well as the replacement of other consumables such as the fuser assembly and transfer assembly. Often printers with soft plastic drums can have a very high cost of ownership that does not become apparent until the drum requires replacement. Due to current market incentives, the least expensive consumer color laser printers often cost less than the total value of the replacement parts inside the printer. The photoreceptor assembly for example may last 100,000 pages but may cost as much to replace as buying a new printer with new toner cartridges included.