Toner
If someone asked you what makes the color and black markings on printer paper, you’d probably say ‘ink’. Did you know that ink is not always the medium that prints? Copier toner is probably something you’re familiar with. It had to be replaced every few months and the cartridge left black marks on your hands, right? Well, copier toner is not the only form that toner comes in any longer.

How Toner Works
Ink is printed onto the page in a similar fashion to pens writing on a page. Toner is a different method of marking all together though. Printer toner comes in cartridges like ink does, but a toner cartridge is filled not with liquid, but a solid. When you buy a laser toner cartridge, or some other printer toner cartridge, you are getting a solid piece of plastic filled with tiny beads of carbon and polymer. These beads are pushed out of the toner cartridges and then melted into the correct patterns to create letters and images. Laser toner is very similar to the old copy machine toner, but it has been advanced. Toner particles used to vary in size and shape, but they have become much more regulated in order to produce higher resolution printing. Laser printer toner continues to advance and may someday replace ink. Toner does need to be warmed up, while ink does not, but toner is dry instantly, while ink may smudge on the page.

Buying Your Toner
Depending on your printer, you may already be buying laser printer toner. If not, you may need to research the type of toner that your printer will use. A laser printer toner cartridge can be found online or in a store where you normally buy ink cartridges. Toner is made in black and white as well as in color. It will be easier to find the discount toner you need online. Choose from ricoh toner, micr toner and xerox toner. You will know if the toner is authentic and high quality if the cartridge identifies itself as one of these brands. Try out a printer that uses toner and see if you notice the difference.