No Scams. No Printer Problems: Uncover the Truth About Different Generic Toners.
Most generic toner cartridges will fit into your printer. BUT. Not all toners are made equal. In fact, there are three different types of toner, each with different manufacturing standards and performance qualities. The person in charge of office supplies procurement for your business should understand not only the differences, but also the printing solutions offered by your provider. Unlike some many procurement partners who only sell toner, Egyptian provides solutions from beginning to end of your toner purchase. We want for all of our partners to be educated on the different products so you can make a confident decision from the get-go.
Three Kinds of Generic Toner: OEM vs. Compatible vs. Remanufactured Toner
There are 3 main types of generic toner that you can use for your printing needs:
1. OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer
2. Remanufactured Cartridge
3. Compatible Cartridge
Each one will be accepted by your printer, but when it comes to toner, you definitely get what you pay for. The lower on the triangle, the more risk you take of malfunctions. In fact, there is actually a fourth kind: Counterfeit. Counterfeit toner products will cost you more for a deplorable product and increase the risk of printer damage when used. It is suggested to avoid these at all costs, as they will cost you more in the long run.
| OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer | Remanufactured Cartridge |
Compatible Cartridge | Counterfeit Cartridge |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Highest | High | Low | Low |
| Price | Full Price | 15-40% Less than OEM |
25-80% Less than OEM | 25-80% Less than OEM |
| Legal | Yes | Yes | Pending Supreme Court Decision |
No |
| Failure Rate | 1-2% | 1-2% | Up to 30% | Up to 30% |
| Warranty | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Machine Repairs | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Returnable | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Green | No | Yes | No | ? |
| New | Yes | No | Yes, Altered Design | Typically Yes, Altered Design |
| Dangerous | No | No | Potentially | Potentially |
| STMC Approved | N/A | Our Brands, Yes | No | No |
| Made In America | Made All Over the World | Our Brands, Yes | Made in Asia | Made in Asia |
| Brands We Carry | HP, Dell, Brother, Lexmark |
Liberty Laser, Innovera, Clover | ACM, PCI, ImageStar | None |
Signs That Your Generic Toner Cartridge Is Counterfeit
Generally speaking, a counterfeit toner is usually a low-grade compatible cartridge that has been put into a box, or replica box, of a real OEM cartridge. Here’s how to tell if the one you’ve purchase is a fake:
- 1. Brand hologram is missing: No shiny “Hp” or other brand mark on the box? Skip it!
- 2. Price is too good to be true: Unless your trusted dealer is running a special offer, be very skeptical about the product.
- 3. Common malfunctions: If your printer is having performance difficulties with each use, get rid of that toner!
The Dangers Of Compatible Cartridges
Compatible cartridges come with dangers other than printer damage:
- 1. Compatible cartridges cannot be remanufactured and so they end up as pollution in landfills.
- 2. Compatible toner cartridges contain a dangerous carcinogen, DecaBDE, which is a flame-retardant chemical.
- 3. Compatible toners made by third parties contain 16,510% more of the volatile organic compound, styrene.
- 4. Compatible cartridges can release volatile organic compounds into the office air when used.
The Egyptian Printing & Toner Solution
Here at Egyptian we carry OEM, remanufactured, and compatible. We do not carry counterfeit. Not only do we warranty and take returns on, but we also clean the printer on remanufacturing and OEM cartridges. (This only applies if anything happens from the three brands we recommend.) However, our recommendations always have the fewest issues and represent “best value”. Yes, they cost more than compatibles, but their superior performance and “built in guarantee” will cost your IL organization less in the long run.
You should always be cautious of compatible toners, though. These have a high failure rate and can cause harm to your printer. We do not warranty them, will not fix, or take returns on the compatible cartridges such as ACM and PCI. Like parking in yellow and hoping you don’t get a ticket: if you buy compatible, you buy at your own risk.
Have questions about your toner? Want to save money on your toner, too?
