What Is a Copier Toner?
A copier toner is a powder used in laser printers and copiers. It is similar to hoe ink is used in printers.
There are two types of printer cartridges: ink cartridges and toner cartridges. Ink cartridges, used in inkjet printers, contain liquid ink made from pigments or dyes. This liquid ink can bleed unless printed on specific types of paper.
Toner cartridges, on the other hand, contain powdered resin (toner) with attached carbon or pigment, offering a non-bleeding print on various paper types.
Uses of Copier Toners
Copier toners are advantageous because they do not bleed and can be used on various paper types, including plain, recycled, and copier paper. This versatility helps reduce paper costs compared to liquid inks.
Additionally, laser printers using toners generally print faster than those using liquid ink. However, toners may not be as effective as liquid inks in reproducing vibrant colors and detailed images, such as photographs.
Principles of Copier Toners
Printing with copier toners involves six stages: charging, exposure, development, transfer, fixing, and cleaning.
The process begins with charging the photosensitive drum, which is then exposed to light (laser or LED) to create a latent image pattern. Toner, charged in the developer, adheres electrostatically to this latent image.
The toner is then transferred to paper, but as it is only resting on the surface, it requires fixing. This is achieved by melting the toner through heat or pressing it with pressure. The thermal roll method is a common fixing technique.
Thus, printing with toner relies on static electricity for adhesion and heat or pressure for fixation. The toner’s composition, including charge control agents and resin types, is crucial for managing these processes.