[Klaatu]

Once wasted money buying extra ink jet cartridges that I didn't use until it was too late. They dried out. Later found out that ink cartridges should generally be used at least once per week to keep head jets(?) or ink itself from drying out.

Don't want to repeat same mistake with toner cartridge in new laser printer.

Anyone know if toner cartridges suffer the safe fate with non-use? Thanks.

[smax013]

Klaatu said:

Once wasted money buying extra ink jet cartridges that I didn't use until it was too late. They dried out. Later found out that ink cartridges should generally be used at least once per week to keep head jets(?) or ink itself from drying out.

Don't want to repeat same mistake with toner cartridge in new laser printer.

Anyone know if toner cartridges suffer the safe fate with non-use? Thanks.

Nope...toner is already "dried out"...it is a powder. To my knowledge, there is no problem with letting a toner cartridge sit around not being used. My current toner cartridge in my laser printer is at least 5 years old (they last a LOOOOOOOONG time unless you print LOTS of stuff) and there are times where I will not print something for weeks at a time. My LaserJet 6MP is more than 10 years old and I am just finishing up my second toner cartridge (it is starting to streak and soon rocking it back and forth will not offer temporary respite from that and I will have to dig out the new cartridge and put it in).

[Klaatu]

thanks

[rgreen4]

Laser printers use the same technology as xerographic copiers in that they transfer the image to paper using electrical charges which then attract the dry poweder from the toner cartridge. The image on the paper is then fixed by applying heat to adhere the toner to the paper.
This is why the paper comes out of the laserprinter very warm or hot to the touch. It is also why the toner in the cartridge does not have an expiration date on the box as do the ink cartridges.

[CVRink]

Toner cartridges contain a powdery substance that is already dry and can be stored for a while you wont have to worry about an expiration date. However it is important to know that you can only store it in certain temperatures, there should be some info on the cartridge box or you can find it on the manufactures website.

[mjd420nova]

Toner cartridges are also light sensitive. If you'll notice the spring loaded door that closes over the photo sensitive drum, that's to keep any light out when the cartridge is out of the unit. They should be kept in the original packaging when possible and sealed until intended use. Streaks can be caused by excess toner left on an area known as the "charge wire". This is where the paper is given an alectrostatic charge to attract the and hold the toner to the page until it can be "fuzed" to the page with heat. Keeping the paper path clean and free of any toner will help cure this problem.

[IJ24]

Toner cartridges are more convenient to use and for sure, you will find a better option in it. However, I think that you should still use your printer regularly so that its mechanism will remain normal.

[Evildave]

Here are the down-sides for laser...

If you use 'em in excessive humidity (consistently tropical environment), you can have the opposite problem of inkjet - the toner may clump. Thumping and bumping and rocking will help, but if the dry powder absorbs too much moisture, whatever remains in the cartridge could become unusable. Not a problem in a desert environment, unless you use the swamp cooler ALL the time, even when it's a little too humid outside to get much benefit from it.

They can be kind of messy if you spill the toner. The powder is super-duper fine. It gets into anything you spill it onto. It acts like graphite powder. Get it onto white clothing, and it won't be, any more. Of course, the same can be said of ink.

But I consistently lost ink cartridges with inkjets. They dry out a few months after you put them in the machine. Actually most inkjets 'wake up' and consume ink just to prevent the heads from drying out. So even if you never print a page, the next time you try to print, it'll be empty. And of course, MANY inkjet printers will not even print black and white if any color is 'empty', even if the black & white cartridge is full.

Oh, and it's definitely worth it to spend a little extra and buy a printer that's network attached (or USB and plugged into a network device that 'shares' it).

If you don't use it much, turn it off and keep it covered. Especially if you have pets. The main thing that will ultimately wreck them is dust and hairs getting into their delicate mechanical bits for feeding the paper.

[WinfieldZenith]

It is really necessary to use your ink cartridges at least once within a week. It's a really good read for me. Thanks for sharing!

[LiveBrianD]

I know this is an old thread, but once I took my epson stylus photo 870 out of the attic and printed something (one of toner cartridges was leaking in the laser printer I usually use). I had to clean the contacts with a q-tip, and after that, it worked perfectly. I don't think I'd used it for about 2 years. That printer also doesn't clean itself all the time, wasting ink, and we've never had an issue with it (despite not using it very often). Still, lasers are faster and cheaper if you print a lot.

[absolutetoner25]

Toner cartridges could dry out, if they are not used in time. So they need to be put in use before they lose their functionality.

[snorg]

I have old old dot matrix, it uses ink ribbon, when it runs out of ink I pop the top on the cartridge and pour in some bingo marker ink and go again.

This post has been edited by snorg: 11 May 2012 - 05:25 AM

[mjd420nova]

Snorg: The old school line printers, the high speed types had an ink tank that had a wick that moistened the ribbon with fresh ink as it passed into the impact area. A very good idea and for those older ribbons, I used to have a small spray bottle and after removing the top lid, sprated the ribbon and let set for an hour before re-installing in the printer. It worked great and the life of the ribbon was extended tenfold. I even had one user who did this for so long that he eventually beat holes in the ribbon.

[lasertek]

No. Your cartridge is not yet over or useless for you. It was just the ink that was dried out but the cartridges can still be refilled up to 4x depending on the type. You know how expensive cartridges are so better make use of its full life span first.

[lasertek]

No. Your cartridge is not yet over or useless for you. It was just the ink that was dried out but the cartridges can still be refilled with compatible toners up to 4-6 times.
You know how expensive cartridges are so better make use of its full life span first.

http://www.tonerrefillstore.com/

[przone143]

I felt the same way too when i bought printer cartridges and their useless! You can just buy for another one at http://www.printzone.com.au.