When it comes to maintaining overall operational costs, the role of printing expenses can not be overlooked. Poor printing habits and improper toner management can lead to unnecessary expenses. Focusing on the performance of your toner can make a significant difference and help you ensure cost efficiency and improve the quality and longevity of your prints.
Optimising printing settings, choosing high-quality toner, and regularly monitoring toner usage is the key to enhancing your toner performance. Implementing sustainable printing practices not only helps you generate high-quality prints and reduce costs but also contributes to creating a clean and healthy environment.
Here are some simple tips that can help you maximise your toner performance; 
Choose the Right Printer Settings
One of the simplest ways to extend your toner’s life is by adjusting your printer settings. Many default settings use more toner than necessary, leading to premature depletion. Switching to a lower print density for drafts and non-essential documents can significantly reduce toner consumption.
If your printer offers an ‘economy’ or ‘toner saver’ mode, enabling this feature will ensure that you use only the necessary amount of toner for each print job. This is particularly useful when using high-quality toner such as the Brother TN460 Toner, which offers maximum efficiency without compromising on print quality.
Store Your Toner Cartridges Properly
Toner cartridges can be damaged or leak if stored incorrectly, leading to inefficient performance. Keeping them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight prevents the toner powder from clumping or degrading. If a cartridge is left unused for an extended period, gently shaking it before installation can help distribute the toner evenly.
Doesn’t matter how high-quality toner you have, storing it under optimal conditions is crucial to maintain its efficiency and ensuring smooth and consistent printing when needed.
Avoid Frequent Printer Start-Ups
Each time a printer is turned on, it goes through a calibration process that consumes a small amount of toner. Constantly switching the printer on and off leads to unnecessary toner waste. So, make sure to keep your printer on during work hours, especially in an office setting. It will help you minimise the number of calibration cycles and extend the lifespan of your toner.
Print Only When Necessary
Reducing unnecessary printing is an effective way to make your toner last longer. Reviewing documents carefully before printing, using digital alternatives such as PDFs, and encouraging double-sided printing are the best strategies to contribute to lower toner usage.
Make sure to always choose high-quality toner cartridges as they are designed to handle bulk printing.
Use High-Quality Paper
Paper quality plays a crucial role in how well toner adheres to the page. The low-quality or overly porous paper absorbs more toner than necessary, leading to excess usage and faded prints. So, investing in good-quality, smooth paper can help you ensure that the toner is evenly distributed, producing sharp, professional results.
High-quality toners may seem an expensive solution, but they perform exceptionally well on high-quality paper, reducing toner waste and improving overall print clarity.
Keep Your Printer Clean
Dust and debris inside the printer can lead to inefficient toner use and poor print quality. Therefore, regular cleaning of the interior, especially around the toner cartridge and drum unit is necessary to prevent streaks and smudges. Whether you are using a high-quality or premium toner, it functions best only when the printer is free from excess toner buildup and dirt. A properly clean printer also consumes less ink and ensures smooth and uninterrupted printing.
Use High-Quality Toner Cartridges
Generic or third-party toner cartridges may seem an attractive choice due to their lower price, but they often lead to poor print quality, increased toner consumption, and potential damage to the printer. High-quality cartridges like the Canon E40 Black Toner are specifically designed for their respective printers, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.
Investing in authentic toner ensures better yield, longer-lasting prints, and fewer maintenance issues. Additionally, they also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing waste.
Print in Draft Mode for Non-Essential Documents
Not all documents require high-quality prints. Enabling draft mode for internal documents, emails, or rough copies can significantly reduce toner usage. It helps you reduce toner usage and maintain legibility. Make sure to use a high-quality cartridge only that is specifically designed for draft printing without excessive toner depletion and compromising readability.
Bottom Line
Maximising the performance of your toner requires a combination of smart printing habits, proper storage, and high-quality toner cartridges. Choosing genuine cartridges and practising these simple yet effective tips can significantly contribute to extending the lifespan of your toner and reducing unnecessary costs. It will help you achieve high-quality prints without frequently replacing your toner, making printing more efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
