How to Store Toner Cartridges Properly?

The essential components of any laser printer, toner cartridges are the reason behind clear and crisp printouts. But do you know the importance of their storage procedure to maintain that quality every time? It is often overlooked, which results in streaks and blotches on the printed materials. 

Have you also faced such a problem? Then, after reading this blog, you will not face that in the future. This guide will explain everything in detail about storing toner cartridges properly to overcome performance bottlenecks. 

So, let’s get started! 

Toner Cartridges Shelf Life

The term “shelf life” states how long a toner cartridge delivers viable performance. It includes various factors, such as environmental conditions, storage methods, and toner’s inherent properties. Generally, toner cartridges' lifespan varies according to the respective brand, model, usage patterns, and so on. 

Every toner cartridge comes with an expiration date, which is either mentioned on the front or backside. If you have lost the box or forgotten the date for any other reason, how will you identify whether it expired or not? Here’s the trick! 

Over time, toner powder’s consistency changes,i.e., it gets clumpy and turns lumpy, resulting in poor-quality and faded prints. Replacing the old cartridge with a new one from PremiumToners is recommended in such a situation. 

However, one more factor that affects its shelf life is “Page Yield.” It signifies the estimated number of pages a cartridge can produce under standard conditions. Typically, it ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 pages with around 5% page coverage in toner. Printing text-heavy documents consumes varying amounts of toner, ultimately influencing its overall lifespan. Additionally, the higher you set the print quality & density adjustments, the more it will use the toner. 

Also Read: Tips For Optimizing Print Quality With Brother Toners.

Storage Tips  

• Protect From Bright Light

• Light exposure is harmful for toner cartridges as it leads to the degradation of photosensitive drum performance.
• Here, we have got a simple remedy to safeguard it. The cartridge’s original packaging serves as an initial shield, so use that as a proactive approach to storage. However, if you have lost that packaging, consider wrapping the cartridges in opaque material.
  
  

• Store in a Clean Environment

• It is vital to store toner cartridges in a clean environment, away from the accumulation of dust and debris. These particles degrade the print quality over time and lead to potential damage.
• Avoid placing them in dust-prone areas such as near open windows or vents. Also, as a secondary measure of protection, you can cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap. This will prevent airborne particles from settling on the cartridges exposed surfaces.
  
  

• Avoid Extreme Temperatures

• Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can adversely affect toner cartridges. Under excessive heat, it will melt or clump and fail to disperse evenly on the page.
• On the contrary, low temperatures enhance the risk of condensation formation inside the cartridge, significantly disrupting its precision working.
• Now, the question arises: how will you combat these challenges? Strictly adhere to the manufacturer's recommended storage conditions. By following the guidelines, you can ensure the cartridge's longevity and peak performance.
• Further, the ideal room temperature for storing the toner cartridges is 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply put, choose a stable environment that is neither excessively hot nor cold.
  
  

• Store Upright

• Toner powder includes tiny particles that can settle over time, especially when unused, so it will settle unevenly across the cartridge if stored horizontally. This will result in clumps, density variations, and print defects such as streaks, blotches, or faded areas. 
• Toner Cartridges have seals and chambers to contain the toner securely. So, when stored upright, it maintains a consistent toner density throughout the cartridge. It helps to achieve uniform print quality across all pages, ensuring sharp and clear text or images. 
• The above action will also contribute to the longevity of the cartridge and ensure that it performs reliably for an extended period. 
  
  

• Avoid Using Chemical-Infused Cleaning Materials

• Avoid the use of chemical cleaners on toner cartridges as they contain sensitive components. The exposure will lead to toner composition or clumping changes, which compromises the print quality. 
• Chemical-based cleaning products have environmental implications as well. So, it is suggested to use non-chemical alternatives for cleaning toner cartridges as these are eco-friendly.  

Toner Tips

If you are using a toner cartridge, you must have shaken it to get a few more pages printed. But here are some additional tips to maximize its lifespan. 

• You can adjust the document margins to reduce the amount of used ink. Go for wider margins, as this entails less content on a page.
• Paper usage can be reduced by the printer's duplex (double-sided) printing feature. This saves resources and extends the life of your toner cartridge.
• If you have a Brother printer, use its “Toner Save Mode” to save some toner quantity. Remember that it will only be helpful for documents that don't require high-quality printing.
• Have you heard about the “FIFO: First In First Out” principle? It is a simple concept that signifies the oldest items in stock should be used before newer ones. Applied to toner cartridges, it ensures that the cartridges you bought first should be utilized before their newer counterparts.
• Consider printing in batches if you have multiple documents to print. Also, regularly clean the printhead and other components according to the manufacturer's guidelines. This is because a clean printer operates more efficiently and uses less toner.

Conclusion

To conclude, by using the above tips and tricks, you can not only preserve the toner quality but also extend its shelf life. Leverage these and let us know in the comment section below if they have helped you enhance the lifespan of your toner cartridges! 

Want to buy a toner cartridge? Head to PremiumToners website and get yourself a new one! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How should toner cartridges be stored?

Here are ways in which you should store toner cartridges.

• Store in a cool and dry place.
• Keep them in their original packaging.
• It's best to avoid extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
• Store them upright.

2. Can a toner cartridge be reused if it is stored for an extended period?

Toner cartridges have a shelf life, but yes, they can be reused after extended storage. However, it is worth checking for any signs of damage or deterioration, and if you find such visible issues, it will be suitable to replace that cartridge.

3. Do toner cartridges dry out?

Toner is already in powdered form, so its risk of drying out is very less. However, the particles can settle or clump together when not used for an extended period.