Hello friends, hopefully you are all well.

Now knowing what cartridges work in your printer is incredibly important.  Order the wrong product and you might end up costing your company hundreds of shillings or at least an inconvenient return shipment if the error is caught in time. Ink and toner are two completely different kinds of printer cartridges, each with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages.  If you’re looking to learn more about your printer cartridges or looking for a new printer and you’re on the fence about what to buy, this article and infographic below will tell everything you need to know. Keeping reading to become your office’s ink and toner expert!

What’s the difference between ink and toner?

In a nutshell, ink cartridges contain liquid and are used by inkjet printers and toner cartridges contain powder and are used by laser printers.

The ink inside an ink cartridge can be either dye-based or pigment-based, depending on which cartridge you have. Most inkjet printers on the market traditionally include dye-based inks.  They are more economical than pigment-based ink cartridges and are appreciated for their ability to produce vibrant, true to life color prints and photos.  Dye-based inks are not waterproof and can be susceptible to smudging, with many prints tending to fade after 25 years.  Pigmented-based ink offers a crisper finish and a quicker dry-time than dye-based ink.  It is valued by professional photographers and graphic designers for its ability to print archival quality images and text. Pigment ink also tends to resist water and UV light better than dye-based ink and is able to resist fading for up to 200 years.

Toner is a dry powdery substance that won’t stain like an ink cartridge, but it can get messy if handled improperly.  Monochrome laser printers print with just a black toner cartridge.  Colour laser printers use four separate black, cyan, magenta and yellow toner cartridges to produce a print.  The drum unit is another very important term you should also be familiar with, because without it, you won’t be able to print!  The drum works with the toner cartridge to fuse the toner powder to paper.  A drum unit can be built into the toner cartridge or sold separately as a single unit, depending on the consumable requirements of your printer.  Toner cartridges with a built-in drum unit are generally more expensive than a single toner cartridge but most consumers find them more convenient because you never have to worry about replacing the drum.  Every time you buy a new toner, you are essentially replacing the drum.  Separate drum units can typically be replaced after the use of 3-4 toners.  To learn more about the difference between a toner and drum unit, check out our blog article on the topic.

 

Is Refilling Ink Cartridges A Good Option?

 

Pros and cons of refilling cartridges

Are you wondering if refilling cartridges is right for you? The first thing that probably comes to your mind is the lower cost of refilling as compared to buying new cartridges! This article will reveal many possible reasons why refilling cartridges can be the best option for you, as well as highlighting the adverse consequences of getting your inks refilled. Let’s have a look.

Pros:

1. Better for the environment – Since cartridges are made of plastic, every time you decide to get a new cartridge, you need to throw away the old one. This adds up to the landfill waste. Therefore, if you decide to refill your cartridges at least 3 to 4 times before purchasing a new one, you are keeping it out of the landfill for a longer duration.
2. Lower cost – This is the most widespread reason for refilling cartridges. Savings are massive. You will find that refilling cartridges can save you almost 50% as opposed to buying a brand new cartridge.
3. A great option for inkjet printers – If you own an inkjet printer, refilling cartridges will prove to be a great option. Since these printers function with liquid ink, a reliable cartridge refill company would make sure they use premium & approved inks to provide the best print quality. Not to mention, most laser printers also work well with refilled cartridges.
4. Availability – More often than not, this pops up as an issue when you are least expecting it. Buying a brand new cartridge may sound easier but the cartridge that you use could be out of stock or simply not available anymore. Refilling your cartridge at this point, saves you buying a new printer immediately.

Cons:

1. Printer damage – Refilling cartridges without taking professional help can increase the risk of causing permanent damage to your printer. It could either leak or clog your print head. And while refilling cartridges, if you break your printer by any chance, it could also void your printer warranty.
2. Quality of ink – If you intend to use it for a quick read or any other personal purpose, it is still an accepted solution. But if you would like to use the ink for printing high-quality pictures that you would put on display, the end results may not delight you too much. Although, if performed by a professional and with the right equipment, you can expect high-quality printing.
3. Cartridge breakdown – You can only refill your cartridge up to five times. There could be different types of refilled cartridges available in the market, ranging from the ones suitably designed for your printer model to those that claim to be “compatible” with any printer. However, that doesn’t guarantee you the durability of these cartridges and they can stop working anytime.
4. Messy process – Refilling cartridges can be a messy affair if you are planning to do it all by yourself. You may end up staining your hands or your work area with the ink. Worst case, you may end up clogging the printer head or experience leakages. It's best to consult a professional & experienced refilling company to get your printer cartridges refilled.

To sum up

Refilling cartridges is a great option that helps you with double benefits – you help save the environment & you save on costs! However, you should only get your inks refilled at trusted shops, or you risk damaging your printer.

ARC PRINTER REPAIRS have been in the refilling business for 10 years and we can certainly assist you with any of your printing needs. Feel free to contact your local store.

 

Questions To Ask When Getting a Copier

Copiers come in a wide range of sizes, capabilities, and prices. A professional who occasionally makes a few, high-quality copies has different needs than a small business. While some features are costly, sometimes it is just a matter of asking the right questions and getting the model that can do what you want.

What is the monthly volume capacity?

Manufacturers design copiers and their parts for maximum monthly numbers of copies. Higher volume copiers have a more rugged construction. Using a copier for copy volumes beyond their design capacity will likely result in early breakdown.

How Much are the Copy Charges?

The purchase price of the copier is only one factor in the cost of making copies. Sometimes the high usage cost may even outstrip the cost of the copier. This cost becomes especially important for higher copy volumes.

How Quickly Does It Copy?

The speed of a copier consists of the time it takes to put out the first copy and the time per copy after that. If you frequently make single copies, the former can be important. Very high speeds are expensive and seldom required unless there is large number of staff or specific volume usage requirements.

How much does it cost to rent a copier?

To determine the rent price depends mainly on the type of copier you are looking for. There are other factors to consider, such as maintenance, repairs and upgrades. Here are some examples and comparison of the different prices:

Low end copiers (< 30 ppm) prices are the lowest per month.

High-volume copiers ( 30-40 ppm ) can be rent at mid-range pricing per month.

High-end copiers ( > 40 ppm) range is the most expensive and highest per month.

How much does a photocopying machine cost?

For new photocopying machines, a lower-end, colour-printing model will cost the lowest with the speed at 25 ppm and below. When purchasing these machines, do ensure that the companies provide full after-sales servicing which include major items required by a business-like toner, spare parts, maintenance and so on.

Can the Copier Fold and Staple?

Many copiers can also perform functions required for the production of material ready to be mailed out. They can print on both sides of a sheet of paper and then assemble, staple and fold sheets as required. These functions save time and are usually available as optional items.

Your Premier Singapore Copier Partner for copier machines, copier supplies, copier maintenance and copier rental / leasing.