There’s no getting around the fact that you need to print documents, not just for businesses but even personal use. Even as our world becomes more digital, print copies are here to stay.
Many are looking for ways to cut costs as inflationary pressures become more and more challenging, with the laser printer toner cost being put under the spotlight recently. So, how much does toner cost for a laser printer?
It all depends on whether you’re going with a genuine OEM cartridge or not and where you’re purchasing from. In general, though, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to well over $150. This will get you between 1,500-3,000 pages.
Is the cost of toner justified, though? In comparing printer toner vs ink you’ll notice differences in not just cost but also print quality and longevity.
We’ll cover all this and more below, including ways you can stretch your printing budget further. You’ll also learn about how you can help pay for part of the purchase through our toner reverse logistics program!
What Exactly is Printer Toner?
What is printer toner in the first place? And, what type of printer uses toner?
This is a fine, powdered substance used in laser printers and photocopiers to form printed text and images on paper. Unlike inkjet printers that use liquid ink, laser printers employ this dry powder for a different kind of printing technology known as electrostatic digital printing.
There are two main components of toner: pigment and plastic. As you might be able to infer, the pigment provides the color. It’s black in most basic toners, but it can also come in cyan, magenta, and yellow for color printing. On the other hand, the plastic particles in the toner melt under the heat of the printer’s fusing unit so the toner can bind to the fibers in the paper.
There are several different types of printer toner, which is important to know about for the sake of our conversation on laser printer toner cost:
- Standard Toner: Most common and used for general printing tasks. It balances cost and quality effectively.
- High-Yield Toner: Contains more toner powder and is capable of printing more pages than standard cartridges, making it a cost-effective option for high-volume printing.
- Manufacturer-Specific Toner: Made specifically for certain printer models by the original equipment manufacturers (OEM). These ensure compatibility and maximize print quality but often come at a higher cost.
- Remanufactured Toner: These are recycled toner cartridges. They are cleaned, refilled, and tested to meet quality standards, offering a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option.
All that being said, how much is toner for a laser printer?
How Much Does Toner Cost for a Laser Printer?
So, how much does toner cost for a laser printer? Just as with the question of how much do ink cartridges cost, there is no one size fits all answer here. It all depends on the specific brand you’re buying, who you’re buying it from, and how much of it you’re buying.
In general, though, toner cartridges for popular brands like HP, Canon, and Epson can range in price from $50 to over $200.
The specific printer model plays perhaps the biggest role in determining the cost. For example, toner cartridges for basic monochrome laser printers tend to be less expensive than those for advanced color laser printers, which require multiple toner cartridges for different colors.
You’ll also see a massive discrepancy in laser printer toner cost across manufacturing processes, so let’s break down OEM vs compatible vs remanufactured pricing:
- OEM Toner Cartridges: An OEM toner cartridge for a basic HP laser printer may cost around $80 to $120, whereas high-capacity cartridges for more advanced models might cost between $200 and $300.
- Compatible Toner Cartridges: Substantial cost savings, often priced 30% to 60% lower than their OEM counterparts.
- Remanufactured Toner Cartridges: These are usually cheaper than new OEM cartridges but slightly more expensive than compatible cartridges, offering a middle ground in terms of cost and reliability.
The truth is, looking at the cost of toner alone doesn’t tell you much. It makes much more sense to discuss pricing on a per-page basis. This will show you exactly which purchase offers the best value.
For example, a standard black toner cartridge that costs $100 and yields 2,500 pages offers a cost per page of about 4 cents. Conversely, a high-yield cartridge costing $180 but with a yield of 6,500 pages lowers the cost per page to around 2.8 cents.
We’ll show you some of the ways you can save on the laser printer toner cost in just a moment – first, why is it so expensive?
Why is Laser Printer Toner So Expensive?
Of all the different types of printer ink, toner is the most expensive. This comes down to the more sophisticated technology and materials necessary to produce it.
Toner particles are made to uniform size and shape through chemical methods rather than simply ground up. This is part of what makes laser printing so accurate and efficient, impacting both print quality and waste minimization.
Even the particles themselves are meticulously formed from a complex blend of polymers. These must carry a specific charge and melt at designated temperatures for a clean print. Creating such a perfectly optimized solution requires more expensive materials and attention to detail.
The truth is, though, you get what you pay for. So, let’s look at why we believe the cost of toner is well worth it below.
Is the Laser Printer Toner Cost Worth It?
There’s no question that laser printer toner costs more than its traditional inkjet counterpart. Even the printers themselves cost more. But you get better value in the long run – here’s why this is a great investment for any business or homeowner with high printing needs.
Long-Term Benefits Over Inkjet
There’s a reason inkjet printers are becoming a thing of the past in favor of their new and improved laser printer counterparts. In fact, there are four reasons:
- Higher Page Yield: First, how long does laser printer toner last compared to typical ink? They produce a much higher number of pages compared to inkjet cartridges. This translates to a lower cost per page, making toner more economical for users with large printing volumes.
- Faster Printing Speeds: Laser printers work much faster, which matters for business environments where time is money. The efficiency of laser printers in producing high-quality prints at speed supports a faster workflow.
- Less Maintenance Required: Inkjet printers can clog if not used regularly, but laser printers and their toner cartridges require next to no maintenance. This saves you both time and money associated with printer upkeep.
- Consistent Print Quality: Laser printers are more precise and consistent at producing sharp text and detailed graphics. This is essential for professional-quality documents in a business setting.
The Risks of Buying Cheaper Toner
So, most of the time you’ll find that using laser printer toner is actually a more affordable solution than traditional ink. It’s also better for your business image. That being said, not all toner is created equal. Here’s why you need to do your due diligence as you start shopping:
- Compatibility Issues: Non-OEM or cheaper toner cartridges might not align perfectly with the printer’s specifications, causing recognition and software issues that can interrupt printer functionality.
- Reduced Print Quality: Lower-quality toner can result in poor print outputs, such as smudging, uneven toner distribution, and faded colors. This can pose a problem in professional settings where document presentation is important.
- Potential Damage to Printer: The last thing you want is to cut corners and end up damaging your printer. The suboptimal melting point of low-quality toner can lead to build-up inside the printer, affecting mechanical parts and potentially leading to costly repairs or replacements.
- Environmental Impact: Cheaper cartridges are rarely part of a sustainable manufacturing cycle and lack the quality needed to be effectively recycled.
Don’t worry, we have a great resource on where to buy printer ink and toner alike if you’re not sure where to start. You can’t go wrong with Supply Link USA for the best pricing on OEM solutions.
That being said, let’s offer a few tips on getting the best bang for your buck before we wrap this guide up.
Tips on Getting Better Value in Your Printing Process
There’s no getting around the higher cost of toner, but there are a few ways you can stretch your budget further and get better value in your printing process.
Price Shopping
Don’t just buy toner from the first company you find – take the time to shop around and see who offers the best deal for your specific needs. Chances are, you won’t get the best pricing locally, although you will get access to the products you need immediately.
Online purchasing saves you money as the retailer typically has better margins without a physical storefront. Like we mentioned earlier, Supply Link USA has the best selection of high-quality toner from the most trusted brands in the industry.
Read through customer reviews to assess the quality of the toner cartridges. Remember, a lower price might not be a good deal if it results in poor print quality or damages your printer. You should also consider the cost per page rather than the overall cost so that you know what exactly you’re getting.
Bulk Buying and Subscription Services
Buying toner cartridges in bulk can significantly reduce the cost per unit. This makes sense for offices with a consistent need for printing, as you’ll always have an adequate supply while saving money.
Another option is to consider a subscription service in which you receive toner cartridges at scheduled intervals. This not only ensures you never run out of toner but often comes with the benefit of discounted pricing, anywhere from 5-20% usually.
Optimizing Printer Settings
Beyond getting the best deal, you can also learn how to make printer ink last longer. Here are some tips:
- Adjust Print Quality: Set your printer to print in draft mode for everyday printing needs. This uses less toner per page and is usually fine for internal documents.
- Double-Sided Printing: Enable double-sided printing to save on paper and reduce toner usage over time.
- Color Management: Set your printer to default to black and white printing if possible. Color toner is more expensive, so use it only when necessary.
- Regular Maintenance: This includes cleaning the printheads and calibrating the printer regularly to ensure optimal performance. Well-maintained printers use toner more efficiently, reducing waste.
Consider Selling Unused Ink or Toner Cartridges to Support Your Budget
If you have a surplus of ink or toner cartridges that don’t fit your printer or you don’t plan on using, you can sell them to help build part of your budget.
We talk about this in our guide on what to do with unused ink cartridges, and explain why learning how to sell toner cartridges is a great way to make the most of excess resources.
And if you’re wondering where to sell toner cartridges, look no further than right here at Sell Toner, where getting cash for toners is as easy as a few clicks. You can earn the highest return (up to $350 per cartridge!) through our program.
Final Thoughts on the Cost of Toner
So, how much does toner cost? It can range anywhere from $50 to well over $200 depending on the type, brand, and size of your cartridge. High-yield OEM toner costs more, but you get what you pay for.
The same is true of comparing laser printer toner to traditional ink cartridges in general. While toner is more expensive, it results in better efficiency and precision. You can get better value in this purchase by implementing the tips we shared above.
Our blog has additional resources on how to tell if an ink cartridge is empty by looking at it, how much can you sell new toner cartridges, how to put ink in a printer, and how to get printer ink off hands.
Remember, if you find yourself with excess toner, consider selling it to us at SellToner.com, where you can turn surplus supplies into profit while decluttering your shelves. Get started in just a few clicks today and see why we’re the most trusted choice for selling toner online!
