When purchasing printer supplies, it is crucial to know which cartridges are compatible with the machine that requires a replacement. Otherwise, attempting to locate the appropriate cartridge can be frustratingly time consuming. While some people mistakenly use the terms ink and toner interchangeably, they are in fact two distinct products that function very differently.
The Main Differences Between Toner and Ink
The physical characteristics of ink and toner cartridges differ considerably, both in terms of design format and contents. For one thing, toner is a powder, while ink is a liquid. Toner and ink cartridges are both used to print documents and photos, but the methods by which inkjet and laser printers accomplish this are fundamentally different.
Laser Printers Use Toner Cartridges
Because of the unique role of toner in the xerographic printing process, ink is not an acceptable substitute. The two main components of toner are iron oxide and plastic resin. Laser printers do not simply press toner directly onto the paper. Instead, a laser first draws an electrostatic template of the image onto a rotating metal drum inside the printer. The drum, which is covered in photosensitive material, starts out with either a positive or negative charge.
Inkjet Printers Use Ink Cartridges
Inkjet printer technology is a bit easier to understand, but no less innovative. As their name suggests, inkjet printers require ink cartridges. The liquid ink inside the cartridge is locked in an airtight foil compartment. The ink cartridges are loaded into the print head, which is fitted with numerous microscopic ink nozzles. As the print head moves back and forth across the paper, the nozzles create the image with droplets of ink.
A basic knowledge of printer functionality is the key to differentiating toner and ink cartridges. Most importantly, toner cartridges are meant for laser printers, and not surprisingly, ink cartridges are designed for inkjet printers. Ink is a liquid form of pigmentation, while toner is a fine powder. Each plays a very different role in the printing process. While toner was developed to reproduce an image comprised of charged ions, ink sprays out of a cartridge via microscopic jets in the printer head. Each method has its pros and cons, so it is up to buyers to determine whether ink or toner suits their needs.
