With more and more document management now happening online, some of us are printing a lot less than we used to. This might leave you wondering whether the toner in your laser printer is still good if you’re only using it occasionally.
Toner can be expensive, so we definitely don’t want to waste it, but what happens if it’s only being used occasionally? Does laser printer toner dry out in the same way that ink cartridges can for inkjet printers?
Today, we’ll answer all your questions about printer toner drying out and give you some tips for extending the shelf-life of your toner. By keeping these hacks in mind, you could end up saving hundreds of dollars a year, just on toner!
The Basics of Laser Printer Toner
First of all, what type of printer uses toner? Unlike inkjet printers, which use ink cartridges, laser printers use toner. Are toner and ink the same thing, though? No, laser printer toner is a fine, dry powder used in laser printers and photocopiers to produce printed text and images.
Unlike liquid inkjet printer ink, toner is made from a combination of plastic particles, carbon black, and other additives that help it adhere to paper when heated. People often use the terms toner and ink interchangeably, but they’re not the same.
Toner is stored in a cartridge, which is inserted into the laser printer. During the printing process, the printer uses an electrostatic charge to attract the toner particles to a drum unit. The drum then transfers the toner onto the paper, and a heated fuser unit melts and bonds the toner particles, creating a permanent print.
Because toner is a powder rather than a liquid, it does not dry out like ink. However, improper storage or exposure to high humidity can cause toner to clump or degrade over time, affecting print quality. Learning how to handle and store your toner can help extend its life, saving money and keeping your prints looking sharp.
Does Laser Printer Toner Dry Out?
So, does laser printer toner dry out? The short answer is no – laser printer toner does not dry out in the same way ink does. However, there are certain things that can make toner cartridges less effective over time. Let’s take a closer look.
Does Printer Toner Dry Out?
Does laser printer toner dry out? Unlike liquid ink, laser printer toner is a dry powder, which means it does not evaporate or dry out over time. Even if a toner cartridge sits unused for months or even years, the toner inside remains in its original powdered form.
If you have an inkjet printer that you use infrequently, you might be wasting money on ink cartridges that dry out. Switching to a laser printer that uses toner can save you a lot of money if you don’t print often and don’t want to learn how to fix dry ink cartridges.
Why Toner Doesn’t Dry Out Like Ink
The biggest difference between toner and ink is their composition. Inkjet printers use liquid ink, which contains water and other solvents that can evaporate if not used regularly. This causes the ink to dry out and clog the printhead.
Unlike ink, toner is made of fine plastic-based particles mixed with pigments and other additives. Because it is not a liquid, it doesn’t evaporate. How long does printer toner last unopened? As long as the toner remains sealed inside its cartridge and is stored properly, it can stay usable for years.
When Toner Can Become Unusable
Does printer toner dry out? No, but it can still become unusable. For example, high humidity or exposure to moisture can cause toner powder to clump together, making it difficult to distribute evenly during printing. This can lead to streaks, fading, or poor-quality prints.
How you store your toner also matters – storing toner cartridges in extreme heat or cold can impact their effectiveness. Heat can cause the plastic particles in the toner to melt slightly and clump together, while cold conditions may make the toner less efficient.
And finally, the cartridges themselves can wear out over time and affect print quality. Toner cartridges and their internal components, such as the drum unit, may degrade, even if the toner itself is still good.
Still, Proper Usage and Storage Shouldn’t Be Overlooked!
While laser printer toner doesn’t dry out like ink, you can still run into issues if it’s not used or stored properly. Here are some tips to help you keep your toner cartridges in top condition and ensure crisp, high-quality prints.
Temperature and Humidity Control
Toner powder is sensitive to extreme temperatures and moisture. High humidity can cause toner to clump together, while too much heat can potentially melt the plastic particles, which affects the quality of your prints.
To prevent this from happening, store toner cartridges in a cool, dry place with consistent temperatures between 50°F and 77°F and humidity levels between 40% and 60%. Don’t store toner in basements, attics, or garages where temperature and humidity levels fluctuate a lot.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight can cause the toner powder inside the cartridge to degrade. Also, long-term exposure to UV rays can damage the plastic casing of the cartridge, which may cause leaks. Always store cartridges in a shaded area or in a drawer, away from windows or direct light sources.
Keep Cartridges in Sealed Packaging
Most toner cartridges come in airtight, protective packaging to prevent exposure to dust, moisture, and air. If you don’t need to use your new cartridge right away, keep it sealed in its original packaging until you’re ready to install it.
Shake the Cartridge Before Installing
If a toner cartridge has been sitting for a while, the toner powder inside may settle unevenly. Before installing a new or unused cartridge, gently shake it from side to side to redistribute the toner. This helps ensure even printing and prevents faded or streaky output. Make sure you shake it carefully to avoid spills!
Avoid Touching the Drum or Rollers
Some toner cartridges come with an integrated drum unit, which is responsible for transferring toner onto the paper. The drum is highly sensitive to fingerprints, dust, and scratches, which can cause printing defects.
When handling a toner cartridge, avoid touching the drum or any internal rollers. If you accidentally get fingerprints on the drum, use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe it off. For more tips, here’s our guide on how to clean toner roller.
More Ways to Prevent Toner Waste in Low-Use Printers
If you don’t print very often, you might be worried about wasting your toner. Even though toner doesn’t dry out, letting your printer sit unused for long periods can cause the toner to settle. Printing a test page every few weeks can help keep it in good condition.
If you print infrequently but in large batches, consider purchasing high-yield toner cartridges, which offer more prints per cartridge and often have a lower cost per page. How many pages does a toner cartridge print if it’s high-yield? You can sometimes get double the pages you normally would!
Make sure you also know how to check printer toner level for your specific printer, so that you always have an idea of how much toner you have and know when it’s time to replace your printer’s toner cartridge.
What If I Have Too Much Laser Printer Toner and Won’t Be Able to Use it All?
Buying toner in bulk might seem like a smart way to save money, but if you don’t use a lot of it, you can end up with too much toner on your hands. While it doesn’t dry out, laser printer toner still has a shelf life – here’s what to do if you accidentally end up with excess toner.
Does Toner Ever Go Bad?
While toner doesn’t expire in the same way liquid ink does, it can degrade over time, especially if it’s not stored properly. Most manufacturers suggest using toner within two to three years for the best results. After this period, toner may still work, but its performance isn’t guaranteed.
Signs You May Have Over-Bought Toner
There are lots of reasons why you might end up with too much toner – maybe you stocked up because you got a good bulk deal, but you now have way more toner than you need. Or perhaps you bought a backup cartridge because you were printing almost every day, but now you’re not.
One of the main signs you’ve bought too much toner is if you have unopened cartridges that are years old. If you have cartridges sitting on a shelf or in a drawer, even if they’ve been stored properly, they might not work as effectively if they’ve been there for three or more years.
What to Do With Excess Toner
If you’ve got too much toner on your hands, you’ve come to the right place! Don’t worry about losing money on toner you no longer need – at Sell Toner, we offer cash for toners. You can earn good money for cartridges you no longer need. We pay up to $350 per cartridge!
We buy new, factory-sealed, unused toner cartridges, and we have the best prices on the market. Our toner reverse logistics is so easy – we even cover your shipping costs! You don’t need to wait for a quote – just create a Sell Toner account to see how much you could be earning.
Final Words on Laser Printer Toner Drying Out
So, does laser printer toner dry out? Unlike ink cartridges, laser printer toner doesn’t dry out, making it a good choice if you don’t do a lot of printing. However, even though it doesn’t dry out, you can still run into issues with laser toner.
It needs to be stored correctly, as humidity, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations can affect its printing performance. Also, toner can settle if it sits too long, causing it to clump or print unevenly – it’s best to print the occasional test page just to keep your toner in good shape.
Stocking up on toner might seem like a good idea because it doesn’t dry out, but it still has a shelf life. If you have toner that’s a few years old, it might not perform at its best, leaving you with faded, streaky, or uneven prints.
Rather than risk using old toner, why not sell it to us? At Sell Toner, we’ll pay you good money for unopened, factory-sealed, name-brand toner cartridges. The process is quick and easy, and you could be earning up to $350 for each cartridge!
Don’t hold on to toner cartridges that are past their prime – get your money back with Sell Toner!
