In this post we are going back to basics with a guide to what printer consumables actually are, a description of the use and benefits of the products and most importantly why, regardless of whether you are a domestic customer or responsible for ordering items for a large office or school, why we need them.
Here at Toner One we are experts in all things printing and are the one stop shop for anything printer related and supply all the major brands in the printer consumable sector, such as HP, Brother, Samsung, Canon, Dell, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Lexmark, Oki, Xerox and many more.
Originally launched as an online business we are now also based at a premises in Letchworth Garden City which means we can provide you with local, regional and national customer focussed advice and guidance.
What are Printer Consumables?
Essentially printer consumables are anything that need to be monitored and are likely to need to be replaced during normal printing operation. That could be anything that runs out or anything that could deteriorate with wear and tear through normal use. The most well used printer consumables are ink and toner cartridges, paper, and other components such as drums, fusers, and maintenance kits, depending on the type of printer.
Inkjet printers use liquid ink to produce sharp, high-quality images and text print. The ink is applied to paper in tiny droplets to create the image and you can literally run out of the ink required to create the print. Ink cartridges need to be replaced when they are running empty to maintain the print quality and avoid faded or streaked print outputs.
For use in laser printers the fine toner powder is transferred to the paper and fused to it using heat. The precision of the use of the fine powder gives a sharpness and durability to the print operations. Replacing toner cartridges is essential to maintain the printer's efficiency and prevent print quality deterioration. Low toner levels can result in faded prints and may even damage the printer's imaging components.
Although paper isn’t part of the printer itself it is an essential part of the printing process, and it is vital you choose the right quality and weight paper for the print job you need. Using the wrong paper can lead to paper jams, poor quality prints and could cause longer term damage to the printer itself.
All these items are found in laser printers as parts of the print process. The drum transfers the fine toner powder onto the paper, the fuser unit applies the heat required to fuse the toner to the paper fibres and the maintenance kits include components necessary for routine printer maintenance.
Over time, these parts may wear out, impacting the printing process. By monitoring the use and the wear and tear of these printer consumables and replacing them regularly you can support the longevity of the printer and help to keep the print quality consistent for longer.
In conclusion, you can see that printer consumables are vital to all elements of printing in the home or at work. They are essential to maintain the effective function of our printers. Keeping a look out for deterioration, wear and tear, damage and low levels of ink and toner and regularly replacing them maintains print quality, stops errors, prevents delays in printer access while repairs are being made all of which prolong the lifespan of the printer.
It is important that you know the type, make and model of your printer to ensure you are purchasing the correct consumables that are compatible with the machine as using the wrong ones can cause damage.
Looking for More Information?
At Toner One we are well known for being one of the leading go-to places for printer consumables. We pride ourselves on leading the way with competitive pricing and exceptional service and doing all we can to help our customers with their printing needs.
Should you have any questions, please call on 01462 233669; we are on hand to talk through the options for you to consider when you need to replace consumables and our experienced team will help you every step of the way.
If you would like to visit us in store, we are based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire or you contact us by email for general enquiries at admin@tonerone.co.uk or for sales at sales@tonerone.co.uk.