In the printer market, there are two major types of printer cartridges, ink and toner.
If you are curious about the differences between these two print cartridges, we’ll address your curiosity and provide some tips on how to know your best option if you are researching which printer to buy.
What Is Ink Made Out Of?
Ink cartridges typically contain a liquid ink. The ink itself is created by mixing ingredients such as varnish, resin, solvents, pigments, and additives such as waxes and lubricants.
This mixture is combined with smoke pigments to give it a black color, or titanium dioxide is added to give it a white color that will later be used to create the colored ink cartridges.
What Is Toner Made Out Of?
Toner cartridges typically contain a powder that is pigmented. Toner is created from a mixture of polymers and organic compounds such as polyester (a finely granulated plastic), polypropylene, fumed silica, and various minerals. Pigment is added to toner to provide the color.
How Does Ink Work?
Printers that use ink cartridges have printheads installed inside them.
These heads carry the ink until it falls in droplets into their tiny nozzles, which spray the droplets to impregnate the ink onto the paper to make your design or document.
How Does Toner Work?
Printers that use toner are designed with a drum inside.
This drum uses static electricity to draw the toner inside, and subsequently, the drum rolls the toner onto the paper in the form of printed words of designs.
The toner melts as it passes between the rollers and is pressed onto the paper by the heat of a fuser; the toner only adheres to certain areas where the laser changes the electrical charge of the drum, creating your printout.
What Is Better, Ink or Toner?
The answer depends on your needs, as both are quality products.
The toner cartridges are designed for heavy use, large print volumes, and longer life since, being a powder ink, they typically come in larger cartridges. They also don’t have as many problems with the printer cartridge clogging.
If you use your printer heavily and have it in your office or school for several people to use, you will be better off opting for a printer that uses toner cartridges.
On the other hand, ink cartridges are created for more delicate, precise work and brighter colors.
If you like to print photos, colorful presentations, designs, or brochures, even if you have your printer at home for moderate use, a printer that uses ink cartridges will be a good choice.
Where To Buy Ink And Toner Cartridges?
Ink Genie is one of the leading ink and toner suppliers to businesses, government institutions, schools, and homes in the country. We consider thousands of customers part of our family and always offer them our best service, satisfaction, and savings!
Discover more about Ink Genie and browse our selection of name-brand ink and toner cartridges.
