Color Toner Expert

Canon Introduces New Wireless Printers

2010-02-09T19:22:00.000-08:00

Apart from DSLR and compact cameras, Canon also recently launched a new range of wireless printers including three new wireless multifunctional printer models and a wireless single-function printer.

The newest addition to the Canon Pixma family are the MX870, MX350 and MX340. All of these are all-in-one printers. They allow users to print, scan, copy and fax documents. Most of all, they offer convenience, flexibility and mobility due to wireless connectivity. Now, users can scan and print from multiple or various PCs. There is an added fringe for iPhone users, they can print photos straight from their phones through the Easy-PhotoPrint EX application.

The new line of Canon wireless printers also have additional features Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), Auto Clip Feature and Easy-WebPrint EX software that makes web printing easier. Users will definitely like the intuitive design and the friendly menu navigation. The new printer models also have enhanced security features that allow users to create password-protected PDF files.

Canon also introduced a single-function printer, the Pixma iP2700, an entry-level single-function printer that is packed with a lot of features like the Auto Photo Fix II and Easy-WebPrint EX. All features are guaranteed to improve the quality of the prints. The Pixma iP2700 lets you print borderless, up to an A4 size. It has the ChromaLife100+ ink system that gives more vibrant and longer-lasting prints.

The Auto Photo Fix II software is designed to help users resolve many common photo printing problems and errors like underexposed images. The Multi-Zone Exposure Correction allows overall face detection, setting analysis and saturation correction.

All new Canon printer models are designed to be space-savers and to make the workplace more productive. They are guaranteed to be user-friendly and to give high-quality printouts.

The New Canon CP790 Photo Printer

2010-02-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

The color and appearance may deceive you but make sure you don't get it wet 'cause it's not a bucket but a photo printer!

The latest photo printer from Canon looks exactly like a bucket but what you see is not the actual printer device. Take out the plastic latches at the sides and you'll get the Canon CP790 photo printer.

The CP790 weighs 1.1 kilograms. Not very light for something designed to be portable. It can be readily plugged to a wall socket. The bucket, which measures 246.9 x 178 x 86.4 millimeters, serves as a case for the power plugs, photo paper and other supplies and cables so you can carry everything in it.

The Canon CP790 comes with a 3-inch color LCD and an easy-scroll wheel to navigate through the menus and controls. You can also view and select the images that you want to print out. The menu and control settings offer other features such as image enhancement, trimming, red-eye correction and other color effects so that when you can print your pictures right.

Aside from the big and easy to press buttons, the Canon CP790 is also very user-friendly. Even old people and young children can easily operate it. You also do not have to attach your digital camera anymore to print the pictures. The Canon CP790 has a memory card slot that can accommodate SD miniSD, SDHC, MMC, CompactFlash, Memory Stick Pro and other types of external memory devices. Canon digital cameras can be connected via PictBridge.

Based on print tests, a single 4 x 6-inch photo took about 56 seconds to print. The print quality is quite good but professional photographers may notice some elements lacking in the printout. Still, we can’t expect that much from a mid-range portable camera. Perhaps the best part about the Canon CP790 is you don’t have to wait for the ink to dry. It employs a dye-sublimation process that allows fine gradation for picture printouts.

If you buy the Canon CP790 now, its package includes 108 pieces of 4R photo paper and a spare ink cartridge. This lets you save USD 37.90. The whole package is priced at USD 249.

Fuji Goes 3D Printing

2010-02-03T23:49:00.000-08:00

Some weeks back, HP announced that they will soon release 3D printers. Now, it seems like every printer manufacturer is joining the 3D printing bandwagon. The latest to join the bandwagon is Fuji. This is quite expected since Fujifilm has launched the very first 3D point-and-shoot camera. The company develops a 3D printer that will complete the user’s 3D experience.

Fuji’s 3D printer system will be launched this April in U.K. The main aim is for the 3D printer to serve as a “portable system” for photographers and event organizing enthusiasts. The Fuji 3D printer has a dimension of 17.7 x 16.9 x 35.4 inches. It can produce high-quality and high-resolution prints. According to Fuji, the print rate is guarantees that your prints will be out and ready in a few minutes (no exact time or print rate has been stated though).

As for the sizes of prints, the Fuji 3D printer is more of for photo printing. There are four possible standard sizes of prints, ranging from 4 x 6 inches to 6 x 9 inches.

As of this time, Fuji hasn’t released an official photo or prototype of their 3D printer yet.

A Tip to Print Several Files at Once

2010-02-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

Printing documents is not a tough job. All you have to do is click on Print and wait for the output to come out of the printer. But what if you have to print several files at the same time? Wouldn't you find it tedious when you have to print several files all at once and you have to keep on going back to the folder or drive where each of the file is saved and then click to open print it? Whew...

Well, ColorTonerExpert has a very good tip for printing several files. Just follow these simple steps:

1. In the folder containing the files, highlight the files that you want to print. You can do this by using your mouse and dragging the cursor across all the files you want to highlight or if you want to print all contents or files in the folder, simply press CTRL+A simultaneously.

2. Right click on a highlighted filename and select Print.

3. The files will then open one by one and will print automatically.

Another tip for printing several files at the same time is to create a new folder on your Desktop or in My Documents (anywhere you prefer). Copy all the files that you have to print to the new folder. In this way, all you have to do is press CTRL+A rather than using the mouse to highlight all files and then right click to select Print. Again, all files will open in their respective programs or applications first but they will print automatically.

Note, however, that the files will not print simultaneously. They will be put on queue in the Printer menu and will print one by one, following a “first in, first out” order.

What Color Printing Can Do for You

2010-02-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

“Color printing” – refers to the printing of bright and vivid images, graphics or texts as opposed to the usual black and white.

Color printing can put your document or presentation to an advantage. For one, it can make viewers marvel and appreciate your report or document more when it is done in color. Color printing can also sometimes make your document or report more understandable. They are also more eye-catchy and attractive than monochrome prints.

The material used and the finishing for printouts have very profound effects on its quality. Even an unconcerned by-passer or by-stander can be attracted to a colorful image or presentation. The longer your document or presentation can hold the attention of your viewers, the better it is for you or for your business.

In terms of printed materials like newspaper, magazines, and brochures, color printing is found to be an effective tool to increase readership and circulation.

Online Printer Ink Retailer vs. Physical Printer Supplies Store

2010-01-26T23:27:00.000-08:00

Replacing your printer ink? There are two options on where you can buy printer inks: online printer retailer or physical printer supplies store. Online printer supplies retailers are those which have "online stores". You browse through their products and buy from them online. Physical printer supplies stores, on the other hand, are those which have a shop or store. You have to get up, walk or drive in order to go to a physical store. For some people, they do not want to shop online because they are afraid of being victimized by scams and other forms of fraud. Buying from a physical store can be equally daunting. Yes, there are fewer incidences and risks of fraud but there are hassles.

Going to a physical store requires time and effort, the amount of which depend on the distance of the store to your house and on the time of the day when you will make the trip (if it's rush hour so you spend more time on traffic, etc.). Entering a printer supplies store would require you to browse through several aisles of office products. You tend to wander aimlessly around the store for some minutes as you look for printer ink and toner cartridges. Upon finding the right aisle or section, you will spend some more time looking over the display until you find the printer cartridge for your model. Sometimes you have to queue for a long time to pay at the cashier.

Because of these, it seems that online shopping is more recommended than going to a physical store when buying printer ink or toner. There are fewer hassles. No need to drive or walk and roam around the store. You also don't have to bend down while browsing through the shelf to look for the printer ink that you need. With online printer retailers, all you have to do is to search for the printer cartridge that you need, enter your shipping details, checkout and just wait for the printer cartridge to be delivered at your doorstep. You only have to enter the shipping details on your first purchase. The succeeding purchases would no longer require you to enter these details again.

Finding the right printer cartridge, ordering and paying for it take only a few minutes for online shopping but going to a physical store may require at least half an hour. However, you have to make sure that the online printer supplies store that you are using is reliable and trusted to ensure that your transaction is completely hassle-free.

HP to Launch 3D Printer Before 2010 Ends

2010-01-25T22:44:00.000-08:00

Hewlett Packard (HP), one of the leading printer manufacturers in the world today, has signed a deal with Stratasys to develop and produce a new line of 3D printers. The 2D printing that we are currently familiar with will soon become 3D. The new technology will allow computer-drawn models (from software or applications like AutoCAD and others) to be printed via 3D printers.

The technology for 3D printing is considered a breakthrough for the printing industry. The new type of printing machines will build models by removing or adding materials from a block or by using other materials to construct it. Stratasys will use of fused deposition modeling, the same principle that they has used in their existing models which cost around £9,100.

HP, for its part, is still mum on the possible price of its new line of 3D printers but based on the estimates that they will spend for the new technology, the 3D printer device will most likely cost thousands, more expensive than traditional printer models which are priced within the hundreds range. Initial target market for the 3D printer will be the designers and CAD operators who want to bring their designs to life.

The new 3D printers are expected to dominate the market later this year.

Recommended PDF Printers

2010-01-21T22:47:00.000-08:00

Both businesses and individuals have found many great uses for secure PDF files. As such, a PDF printer is also fast becoming a “necessity” at home or in the office.

A PDF printer is a printer that has the capacity to print straight from PDF files as well as those saved from USB storage devices. Some all-in-one printer models in the market today are also PDF printers. These are printer devices that can scan documents and convert them straight to PDF files so you can save them in secure soft copies.

If you are currently thinking of getting a PDF printer to convert hard copy documents to portable electronic files, there are many printer models to choose from. You don’t actually need a special device to handle PDF files but here are a few recommendations for all-in-one (or multifunctional) printers that offer this special function.

Based on the reviews from other sources, we have narrowed down our recommendation for “Best PDF Printers” to the following:

1. Canon Pixma All-in-One Printer with Scan to PDF Function – Aside from the professional-grade and lab-quality photo prints, this printer model also copies and scans documents and has an automatic document feeder and duplex printing feature so you can leave the device while it does the work for you. The Canon Pixma MX860 has scan-to-PDF function with 2400 dpi resolution. The main advantage that Canon has over other printer brands is that the PDF is searchable.

2. Lexmark Professional Series AIO Printers with OCR and PDF Scanning – Living true to its name, the Lexmark Professional series offer printing, faxing, scanning and copying. The X6675 offers a scan-to-PDF function with 600 x 1200 dpi resolution. It is heavy-duty as it allows you to scan thick volumes of books and other documents and convert these to PDF files. This printer model is designed more of for business use since it has fast-fax, automatic document feeder, duplex printing and direct photo printing from external storage devices. The user can also print borderless photos of up to 4800 x 2400 resolution.

3. Brother Color Laser AIOs for High Volume Printing with PDF – Brother provides users the option of selecting color or laser printer. Laser printers are more advisable for heavy printing. The MFC-8860DN model offers high-volume and high-performance PDF handling. It prints and scans files to PDF as well as other functions like double-sided printing, Ethernet networking, high-speed USD interface and a high-capacity multi-purpose tray. The scanner has excellent 9600 dpi resolution with several “scan to” options.

4. HP OfficeJet AIO for PDF Printing and Scanning – The OfficeJet J4680 is one of the best choices if you want a scan-to-PDF function. It is wireless and offers good document and photo printing with its 1200 dpi resolution.

Comparing Inkjet and Laserjet Printers

2010-01-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting video that compares an inkjet printer and a laserjet printer. Click here to watch it.

Pigment-Based and Dye-Based Ink: A Comparison

2010-01-19T22:33:00.000-08:00

Most people are probably not aware of it but there are two types of printer inks. An inkjet catridge contains either pigment-based or dye-based ink cartridges.

Dye-based ink is water soluble while pigment-based ink absorbs water but is non-soluble. This means that when the print printed with dye-based ink comes into contact with liquid, the prints becomes blurred and “dissolves” with the liquid. Prints printed with pigment-based inks stays longer on the paper.

Dye-based inks are cheaper than pigment-based inks. They are the most common printer ink choice for printer manufacturers since dye-based inks are easier to produce. They can also give more vivid color prints since they have brightener components which are responsible for making the colors brighter and more vivid. They are mixed with the dye through a dye dissolve-in solution. Because of this, dye-based inks can give better color balance. However, the colors may fade faster especially when exposed to UV light. Dye-based inks also take time to dry so the clarity of the prints may vary. Since dye-based inks give better colors, they are frequently used for printing photos and graphics.

Pigment-based inks are mixed with resins and chemical-based polymers. The resins are water-suspended for use on inkjet printers. The unique process and components make pigment-based inks less responsive to UV light. These also allow them longer shelf-life as compared to dye-based inks. However, the main drawback of pigment-based ink is that the colors of the prints are less bright and vivid. The color pigments in the ink also tend to clog so pigment-based inks are not usually used for color printers. Color printers that utilize pigment-based inks are more expensive because they come with specialized software that can help prevent the clogging and dense printing. Hence, pigment-based inks are more recommended and more often used for text documents.

Pigment-based inks are the top choice for printing files intended for archiving. This is because the prints can last longer even if they are exposed to chemicals or light. Also, as mentioned, pigment-based inks absorb water but they do not dissolve in water so they are more resistant to liquids.

In terms of which type of ink is better, the choice will vary based on the type and purpose of the documents that you are printing. Technically, both types of printer ink are eco-friendly and are not alcohol-based.

Would You Like to See the Ink Volume in Cartridges?

2010-01-18T21:13:00.000-08:00

I saw a blog entry that made mention of the proposal of the National Conference on Weights and Measures to indicate or disclose the ink volume on the inkjet cartridge label. The post further said that the conference will take place this month in Nashville, Tennessee.

This blog post led me to thinking: of course, if beverages and other consumer products print the volume of the content on their labels then how come ink cartridges don't do this? Well, as a consumer, I think this proposal is highly-commendable. The disclosure of ink volume on the cartridge can help justify the amount that consumers have to pay when buying printer cartridges. If the consumers know how much ink they are paying for, then they might not complain as much as they do now about cartridge prices.

Printer manufacturers should have already foresaw that a proposal like this is bound to come up. After all, one of the ways to justify the price of cartridges is to show the consumers how much they are getting for that amount. Disclosing the ink volume on the cartridge label can also settle the issue on whether or not printer manufacturers are milking money from consumers by selling expensive OEM ink cartridges. If these printer manufacturers can make the consumers see that their ink cartridge products have higher ink volumes and can print more pages than the other brands in the market, then consumers may prefer buying OEM cartridges.

As for printer manufacturers, I can probably predict that they will reject this proposal. Although it is true that they can make more money out of selling ink cartridges than from selling the printer devices, standardizing the ink content of ink cartridges may cause some of these printer manufacturers to lose some profit.

As such, when news about this proposal first came out, printer manufacturers have been prompted to release statements that, in accordance to the provisions of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, they do not have to disclose the ink volume in their cartridge products.

Cartridge-Less Printing is the New Frenzy in Hawaii

2010-01-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

Any conversation about printers is most likely to range from the best printer deals in town to the steep costs of printer cartridges. Well, the prices of printer cartridges can be really heavy on the budget. Maybe this is one of the reasons why the introduction of cartridge-less printers has caught the public's attention.

Hawaii has recently gotten a taste of cartridge-free printing, courtesy of Xerox. The company launched its ColorQube series in Hawaii and the response has probably caused the Xerox sales team to jump and cry with joy. Just to prove that the ColorQube can really sell, the demand for this new type of printer in Hawaii has even surpassed the goals and expectations of the Xerox itself.

According to Glenn Sexton, Xerox Hawaii Vice President and General Manager, the local demand for ColorQube was phenomenal because within the first week of launching, sales goals were already bypassed by more than 100%. This comes as no surprise since the Hawaiians are probably taking advantage of the Xerox ColorQube’s unique features particularly the solid ink technology. This printer device is cartridge-less and as such, the cost-per-page is cut by as much as 62% as compared to traditional printers. Aside from this, the print quality is excellent and it contributes 90% less waste.

The Xerox ColorQube series is highly-recommended for office use since the reduction in printer cartridge cost means more ROI.

How to Automatically Clean Your HP Inkjet Printer

2010-01-14T22:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a demo video on how you can automatically clean your HP inkjet printer.

New Printers Detrimental to Printer Cartridge Industry

2010-01-13T23:17:00.000-08:00

In the recently-concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas, printer manufacturers showcased their newest product innovations. In a way, the event managed to attract the public through new product lines particularly the cartridge-less printers. But as someone from the printer cartridge business, I could not help but think about how this can affect the printer cartridge industry.

Printer manufacturers were given the chance to display their new printer or copier devices that are cartridge-less. Yes, this means that they can print even without inks and toners. More and more printer and copier manufacturers nowadays are now adopting a new technology that allows the devices to print without ink or toner cartridge.

Though this may seem convenient for the users, it may also bring about significant effects on the printer cartridge industry. For example, the Lexmark Platinum Pro905 all-in-one inkjet printer which won the CES Innovation’s Award utilizes a new type of ink cartridge that is a whole lot cheaper than those produced by other printer manufacturers. The black ink cartridge costs $4.99 and the color cartridges cost $9.99 each.

Other printer or copier manufacturers like Dell, Polaroid and Xerox launched a new line of printer or copier devices that print even without a cartridge. This type of technology is called as ZINK for zero-ink. Instead of an ink cartridge, the device requires a special type of paper that is embedded with crystal color. The crystal color gets activated or becomes visible when heated by the printer.

The introduction of these technologies or products will definitely affect the printer cartridge industry. According to one industry commentator, Patricio Robles, printer ink is a $ 45-billion per year business. The margin can be as high as 60%. With ZINK and products with cheaper inks soon to be released in the market, printer ink businesses will surely have lower figures in terms of profits and ROI. On the other hand, these new printer products can usher in a healthier competition. It can influence OEM manufacturers to lower the prices of ink cartridges.

Should You Go For Bulk Printer Inks or Not?

2010-01-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

Once in a while, we here people complaining about how expensive printer ink cartridges can get. In fact, try searching online for the topic and several articles are bound to come up with about half of them offering some tips on how consumers like you can minimize your printer ink costs. As we browsed through some of these articles, we noticed that a handful of them tell their readers to buy printer inks in bulk to save on the costs. Is it really practical to buy printer inks by bulk? Well, it depends on the user and on how the user defines his/her money's worth.

As mentioned, the main reason why it is recommended that you buy printer inks in bulk is to avail of additional discounts. Just like most consumer goods, buying printer inks in bulk reduces the price per unit so you end up with more savings. But you have to think again. In buying bulk printer inks, you pay a lump sum of cold cash for printer inks that you will EVENTUALLY use.

From this, we can see two issues that might arise. One is you’ve got to have several hundred dollars so you can buy printer inks in bulk. Yes, it is possible that you would EVENTUALLY spend this much money on ink anyway, but paying such a huge sum right now can take a toll on your budget.

Another issue is when you buy bulk printer ink even if you don’t print that much. This is not good because the ink cartridge is stocked for a long time. It may settle and in some cases, it settles on the print head. This may lead to other issues ink spills or poor print quality. Some ink cartridges can also become unusable when stocked for a long time because the ink solidifies or dries up.

Buying printer inks in bulk may be advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on your demands. It is advisable if you are into bulk printing but for minimal printing, it is not advisable since you might end up with more expenses or more wastes.

How to Fix Minor Color Cartridge Problems

2010-01-11T23:48:00.000-08:00

There are times when your printer seems to be testing your patience. Isn't it annoying when the colors on their printouts do not turn out right? There may be some instances when the colors in your prints are not correct or vivid or no color is coming out at all.

If you have been unfortunate enough to experience these untoward incidences with your printer, just relax and put your troubleshooting skills into action. Troubleshooting color cartridge printers is easy.

The first thing you have to do is to check on the Print Quality. When running on Windows OS, click on Start, choose Settings and look for the printer you are working with. Open the Settings folder and choose the Print Quality that you want to use. You may try choosing Best quality to check if the printout still has incorrect or no colors.

Also, make sure that you are using the right paper type as stated in the printer cartridge box or in the printer manual. Printer manufacturers recommend that you use the same brand of paper as the ink to make sure that they are compatible. You may use a different brand of paper provided that the substance and the quality of the paper is compatible to the specifications given in the ink cartridge. It might also be helpful to check if you are using the correct orientation of the paper. For example, check if the glossy part of the paper is facing up so that the printer will print on the right side of the paper.

If your printout has white lines or spots or if the color is not as vivid as you expect, try cleaning the nozzles of the print head. It might be clogged so the ink does not come out right. If the there are zigzagged vertical lines on the printout, check the print head of the printer (or cartridge). Chances are it is not aligned correctly. You can correct this by using the printer’s utility program.

Another common problem is that the printout is missing some colors or the flow of the ink is inconsistent. This could mean that you have to change or refill your cartridge. But if there is still enough ink in the cartridge, then clean the nozzle. It might be clogged.

So now you know some color cartridge troubleshooting techniques. The next time that you encounter a problem with your printer, try these!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T17:25:00.001-08:00

Do Your Cost Per Page Correctly

2009-12-29T18:51:00.000-08:00

Due to the growing concern over printer cartridge costs, the cost per page calculation has become one of the major considerations in planning and creating budget plans and cost analyses. Just key in cost per page calculation in the search engine and chances are there are tons of results. Online sources currently list down several possible methods to calculate the cost per page of a printer or printer cartridge but according to the DocuSense website, you can determine or estimate the approximate cost per page more accurately by determining the cost of each supply and its expected or estimated yield. The estimated yield is better known as the anticipated yield.

The anticipated yield of supplies is usually based on 5% print coverage. What is this 5% print coverage? The 5% print coverage is equivalent to one page with 20 sentences using a 12-point font type. So if you print more than the 5% coverage, then your yield for each printer cartridge (whether ink or toner) will be less than the anticipated yield and consequently, the cost per page will also get higher. If you want to check out the % coverage of your documents, you have to install or use specialized software like Free Coverage Calculator to help you calculate the % coverage for your documents. Some printer manufacturers give you the approximate % print coverage for their products based on the tests that the printer manufacturers have conducted on their products so you may also check on your printer specifications or user manuals if these details are available.

Page yields or % coverage is not the only consideration in determining the cost per page. Other costs or expenditures like those for maintenance kits, fusers and others are also taken into consideration. These are usually divided by their yields. The general trend is the lower the acquisition cost for the device, the higher will be the cost per page. In terms of services, the cost of the service contract is also divided by the number of anticipated prints or copies for the period of coverage being considered. All supplies and service costs per page are then added together to get the total estimated service or supply cost per page.

The acquisition cost per page is determined by dividing the purchase or market price of the device by the number of months of estimated service. The quotient is divided further by the estimated pages printed or copied per month. The acquisition cost is then added to the service or supply cost per page to arrive at the total cost per page for the device.

5 Most Common Printer Problems

2009-12-28T22:39:00.001-08:00

As we have constantly been mentioning in our blogs, the printer has become a part of most people's daily routine. Try to conduct a survey among friends and relatives and ask them how often do they use the printer. You'd probably be surprised that they use their printers everyday. This is how indispensable a printer has become. Because of the important role that printers play in our lives, it is inevitable for some people to get really annoyed when their printers start “acting up”. Color Toner Expert gathers five of the most common “printer glitches” and the possible solutions on how to deal with them.

1. Slow printing

Imagine your printer printing so slow just when you’re in a hurry. How annoying it can get! before you bang your printer on the wall, take a deep breath and see what you can do to help your printer perform its job faster. There are several ways to improve the performance of your printer. The most common and easiest thing to do is to change the print mode. You can switch the print mode from Normal (which is the default print mode) to Fast Draft. In this way, you do not only quicken the printing process but you also save up on your ink or toner. Changing the print mode from Normal to Fast Draft, however, reduces the print quality.

The second suggestion is to print texts only or print only those that you really need. If there is no need to print in full color, do your prints in black. Printing images and graphics may take time (and ink or toner) so it is best to select the print area or to edit what you are going to print. Remove all graphics and texts that you do not need to make printing faster.

There is also the option to add a RAM to your printer. Technically, printing slows down when the memory is low or almost full since the transfer of command is slowed down by the processing of other information. Adding RAM adds up to the memory capacity so the printer can do “multi-tasking” and perform its printing job more efficiently and more quickly.

2. Ink or toner costs a lot.

A lot has already been written, discussed and posted about the costs and prices of inks and toners. The most common suggestion for this problem is to consider using compatible or remanufactured inks and toners. These can help you save as much as 50%.

However, some companies or businesses would not want to take the risk of sacrificing print quality by using compatible or remanufactured inks and toners. So they will still go for OEM inks and toners. If this is the case then it is recommended that they either go for premium compatible inks and toners or consider buying printer cartridges that have higher capacity or yield. For example, in most printing businesses, they make use of ink cartridges that have at least 250-page yield or toner cartridges that have about 2,000-page yield.

3. Print jobs are sent to the wrong printer.

This frequently happens when there are more than one printer installed in your computer. It may also happen when an update or upgrade of the operating system (e.g. upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7) causes some changes in the default settings of your existing system so that another printer is set as default.

The solution to this is quite easy. If you have installed more than one printer in your computer, choose the printer that you use most often as your default printer. In this way, you do not have to switch printers in the Print menu if you have to print something. You can set a particular printer as default by clicking on Start, then going to Devices and Printers. Under the Printers and Faxes, right click on the printer that you want to set as default and select Default.

You may also select the printer you want to use for printing in the print option or menu of the application that you are using. For example, if you want to print a document through MS Word, click on File then Print. Click the drop-down menu beside the Name slot and select the printer you want to use.

4. Printouts are too light, have blots or spots or have horizontal lines.

If you have problems on print quality, it is very likely that the print head of your printer is clogged and needs some cleaning. This problem occurs more frequently in inkjet printers because the residue from the liquid ink tends to accumulate and dry up in the print head. Most of the printer drivers and utility software today have options for cleaning and maintenance. Running Clean or Deep Clean in the Maintenance menu of your printer utility software will clean out the dried ink on the print head.

If this problem persists, try replacing your ink or toner cartridge. The cartridge that you are using right now may have some leaks or spills or may not be properly sealed so that it results to blots and spots on your printouts. Also, the ink in the cartridge may have dried up already or the consistency of the ink may not be very good, thus, resulting to the horizontal blank lines or too light prints on your printouts.

5. Printer (or computer) flashes ink cartridge empty notice.

This notice may be accurate or not. It can be accurate because the notice flashes once the system detects that the ink or toner in the cartridge has fallen below a certain level. Since it is not advisable to completely use up all the ink or toner in the cartridge, the notice may flash even if ink or toner cartridge is not yet empty.

The flashing of this notice may also be inaccurate because the out-of-ink messages from printers can be unreliable at times. If an out-of-ink message appears often and you know that it is not reliable, you may tinker with the ink cartridge controls to reset the ink cartridges.

Happy Holidays from ColorTonerExpert!

2009-12-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

Alternatives to Laser Printer Toner Replacements

2009-12-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

With the way printer manufacturers upgrade their product models, people are compelled to shop for new printers from time to time. Yes, printers are now much cheaper than a couple of years back. However, buying OEM toner cartridge replacements can get pretty expensive. As such, consumers are now preferring compatible toner, remanufactured toners and toner refills. In spite of the cost-cutting measure, we still hear some people complain of the steep prices of refills, compatible and remanufactured inks and toners. In this case, we are giving you two other options.

1. Laser Printer Refill Kit - For some, purchasing their own laser printer refill kit is more practical especially if they print a lot and require frequent toner cartridge replacements. A laser printer refill kit may be quite expensive but people who bought this say that this is cheaper in the long run and it is also more practical since they no longer have to go out to have their cartridges refilled. In short, it saves time and effort and they do not have to shell out money everytime they need a new cartridge.

The process of refilling toner cartridge is a bit easy. Small bottles of the toner (or ink) are placed directly in the toner cartridge. A laser printer refill kit has two types namely the universal kit wherein the ink can be used across all printer models and manufacturers. However, these kits do not necessarily give the best print quality.

The second type of laser printer refill kit is the one which uses ink formulated especially for a particular printer model or brand. The main advantage of this is that the refill is at par with the printer manufacturer.

Technically, these toner refill kits are only a fraction of the cost of a new toner cartridge.

2. Compatible or Remanufactured Toner Cartridges - Compatible and remanufactured toners can perform just as well as their OEM counterparts. The only difference is that these are not endorsed by the original printer manufacturers because these are produced by third-party companies. In spite of that, they still meet the standards of the original printer manufacturers so compatible and remanufactured cartridges are guaranteed to work.

Following these options will not void the warranty of your printer. Also, there are no problems using these alternatives for as long as you purchase from a reputable company.

A Guide to Buying Ink and Toner Cartridge Online

2009-12-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

With all the websites populating the worldwide web right now, the choice of store where you can purchase your ink and toner cartridge becomes quite difficult.
Here are some tips on how you can determine which online store to buy your ink and toner cartridges from. Online shopping is not safe because there are possibilities of you paying too much or not getting the quality that you deserve. To address this, TonerBoss gives you a few tips on how to purchase your ink or toner cartridge online. These tips are applicable not only to toner and ink cartridges but also to other products available via online shopping.

Check or verify company information – Technically, you should go for a company that’s into selling ink and toner cartridges online for several years. The longer they are in the service, the better. You should look for companies that have more than two years experience in online selling to ensure smooth transactions. It is also better if the website carries a complete address and contact details. A street address is better than a P.O. Box address. The company should preferably have a toll-free number or a customer service hotline that is available 24/7. Lastly, the printer manufacturer or seller should also have a legitimate email address so you can contact them easily, anytime and anywhere. Check out TonerBoss with seven years experience in online selling.

Good website information – Online companies should have a good and user-friendly websites. Customers should be able to understand all information posted and should be able to easily navigate through the site. Good online companies provide information on their websites including a glossary of terms that explains all the details about the ink and toner cartridges that they are selling; FAQ which answers the common inquiries that the company receives from its customers; company refund policy which explains how the customer can request for a refund (complete information along with time period and validity of refund); and company exchange policy which explains how the customer can request for exchange (if necessary).

User-friendly product catalog or easy-to-use product selection – Customers should be able to navigate through the site and find the ink or toner cartridge that they need easily. This should take only a few minutes.

Updated prices – One of the reasons why you opted for online shopping is because you want to save yourself from the hazards and expenses you would encounter when you go to a physical store. Online printer supplies stores should state their prices clearly and plainly. Indicate if the posted price is valid and up-to-date and if it already includes shipping costs and other fees. In general, online stores offer cheaper ink and toner cartridges so you’ll definitely pay less than when you go and buy from a store.

Money back guarantee – Online companies that sell ink and toner cartridges should offer an unconditional money back guarantee. This means that you can always get in touch with the company if you are not satisfied with their product and arrange for a refund or exchange.

Shipping information – Customers should verify the shipping information of the online store first before making the purchase. Check if the company offers free shipping. If not, clarify the shipping cost, lead time and courier.
Secure server – Always verify if the online store has a secure server to ensure that your personal information will remain private. This also makes payment easier and faster.

Privacy policy – When making purchases, customers have to enter their personal details. A company’s privacy policy ensures that they will not give your information to other companies and that you will not receive junk mails or spams.

Order tracking – Online stores provide an order tracking function that allows customers to see the location and status of their purchase. In some cases, the online store gives customer the tracking number so they can track it through the shipping company.

Following these tips will certainly make your purchase transactions smooth and stress-free. This also ensures that you get the best warranty, service and products in the market at cheaper costs (of course).

Reman Toners Let You Save Money

2009-12-17T06:08:00.000-08:00

The year may be coming to an end but for businesses, planning has only begun. Most management teams are currently in the process of creating business plans and budget allocations for their respective companies. For sure, a portion of the budget allocation is set for printer supplies. Although more and more companies gone green, paperwork remains to be a part of daily office routines.

Color Toner Expert knows exactly what your business needs are. Aside from offering you tax-deductible printer supplies, we are also giving you another way to cut down your expenses and to promote your “green” campaign. What is this? We encourage you to use compatible or remanufactured toners and cartridges on your office printers. Doing so does not only give you your money’s worth but also helps you establish your corporate social responsibility.

Either you may have noticed it or not, you may be spending too much on your printer supplies. As businessperson, we know that you are familiar with the various models and strategies that businesses do to rake in the profits. Printer manufacturers, for one, make use of the “user-based model”. With this, they are willing to sell their printer products at lower prices (even lower than the actually costs) because they believe they can make more money from selling OEM toners and inks.

Let us walk you through a sample calculation on how much you can save if you use compatible or remanufactured toners:

Table 1: Sample Cost Analysis

Printer Model: HP Color LaserJet CP4005n (CB503A)			Unit Price: $ 1,099.00
	Cost/Cartridge ($)	Pages	Cost per Page ($)	Cost/Year ($) *	Savings (vs. OEM)
OEM	179.99	7,500	0.024	1,079.94
Premium Compatible Toner	79.99	7,500	0.011	479.94	55%
Remanufactured Toner	28.99	9,000**	0.0032	144.95	87%

*Cost per Year is calculated assuming that your office replaces black toner cartridges every two months.

**Since the remanufactured toner has more standard page yield, it is assumed that it can last more than 2 months.

From this, you can see that your business can maximize its ROI and get more profits just by using compatible or remanufactured toners and inks. Look at how much you can save if you use compatible or remanufactured toners whereas if you purchase OEM toners, a whole year’s supply is already almost equivalent to the price of a new printer unit.

Premium toner allows you to cut your expenses by a little more than half with hardly any difference on the print quality and page yield. Users who have tried premium compatible or remanufactured toners and inks attest to its reliability and quality.

Remanufactured toners and inks can give you the highest savings. There are no issues or problems with remanufactured toners and inks especially if they are manufactured by reliable third-party manufacturers. There may be some differences in terms of print quality but this is hardly noticeable.

Apart from the huge savings, using compatible or remanufactured toners and inks can help save empty or used cartridges from being discarded into landfills. It takes an average of 450 million years before these cartridges can decompose. So avoid consuming new or OEM cartridges faster than the landfills can decompose them if you want a clean environment.

Toner/Ink Cartridge Life Cycle

2009-12-16T05:10:00.000-08:00

Indeed the recent global economic crisis have taught people a valuable lesson: becoming wise consumers and spenders. In a recent report on toner and ink cartidge sales, it was concluded that the crisis has driven people to opt for compatible or remanufactured toners and inks over OEM printer supplies. With the growing popularity of compatible and remanufactured toners and inks, one wonders: how many times can a cartridge be refilled and reused?

Based on online sources, a toner or an ink cartridge is good for at least ten cycles, meaning, it can also be refilled at least ten times. Actually, the re-usability of a cartridge depends on how you handle your cartridge. For example, some cartridges are only good for one cycle due to mishandling while some may last more than ten cycles. For as long as the cartridge is intact and fit for use, then it can still be refilled.

A toner or ink cartridge's “life span” also depends on the type of cartridge that you have. There are cartridges with built-in printheads. This can be refilled ten to fifteen times or more if given proper care. Cartridges that do not have printheads can, theoretically, be refilled infinitely. There is no theoretical life span for a cartridge without a printhead. It can be used and re-used for as long as the cartridge is in good condition and does not have any dent or leaks. Also, a cartridge that does not have a printhead is no longer fit for re-use if the content (ink or toner) is allowed to dry out.

There are simple things you can do to prolong the life of your toner or ink cartridges. Click here to view our previous blog on how to maintain cartridges.

How to Keep Toner and Ink Cartridges in Tip-top Shape

2009-12-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

How to Keep Toner Cartridges in Top Condition

Here are a few tips on how you can keep your toner cartridges in top condition:

1. Do not open the cartridge.

2. Avoid leaving the cartridge in places where the temperature exceeds safe levels as this may affect the consistency of the toner. Temperatures higher than the allowable range may also soften and cause the plastic material of the cartridge to warp.

3. Always store or keep your cartridges in normal room temperature.

4. Some parts of a toner cartridge may be sensitive to light. Over exposure to light may result in damaging the material or affect the consistency of the toner. Avoid over exposure to light.

5. Store or keep empty toner cartridges in their original plastic bag and cardboard box.

6. Have empty toner cartridges refilled immediately to prevent the formation of residues that will clog or affect some parts of the cartridge.

In case of staining your clothes or hands with toner, wash your hands with lukewarm water and soap. For clothes, brush off the toner in open air. Do not wash it in hot water avoid making the stain permanent. Wash with cold water instead.

How to Keep Ink Cartridge in Good Condition

Here are a few tips to care for your ink cartridges:

1. Do not let the ink dry out in your cartridge. This might burn out your inkjet because it will continue to work even if the ink supply has run out.

2. Empty ink cartridges should be refilled as soon as possible to maintain the functionality of the cartridge.

3. If there are some missing lines in your printout, then it’s time to clean your printerhead. The printerhead has a copper plate, do not touch it. Use the Maintenance or Clean (or Deep Clean) function of your printer.

4. Ink cartridges are more sensitive since they contain liquid. Never leave your ink cartridges in hot places because the warm temperature might cause the liquid ink to expand and leak from the cartridge.

5. Color cartridges must be kept in upright positions because the color might cross-contaminate when it is left to lie on its side.

6. When you replace the ink cartridges in your printer, test print a page or two to settle the new cartridge.

These are just some simple guidelines that you can easily follow to maintain your printer cartridges. It can also save you money.