Toner cartridges are the biggest running cost of a laser printer or copier after the machine itself, and the easiest place to waste money. The wrong code, a cheap cartridge that streaks, or a panic order when the last one runs dry all cost more than a planned order. Copier toner usually comes in bottles or long cartridges, while desktop laser printers often take an all-in-one cartridge. Tell us the machine model and how many you need, and we pass your request to independent toner and cartridge suppliers near you, who quote you directly.
OEM, compatible or remanufactured
An OEM cartridge is made by the maker of your machine. It costs the most, and its yield and quality are predictable. A compatible cartridge is a new cartridge made by another company to fit the same printer. A remanufactured cartridge is a used shell that has been stripped, cleaned, fitted with new wear parts and filled again, which our page on toner refills covers. Quality outside the OEM range varies from supplier to supplier, so ask for the stated yield and a written guarantee that covers a cartridge that leaks or streaks.
What the yield really means
The yield on the box is the number of pages a cartridge prints at about 5% coverage, which is a standard test page with a few lines of type. Your real yield depends on what you print. Spreadsheets with shading, invoices with a big logo block, photos and colour flyers use far more toner per page, so a cartridge can finish well before the box figure. To compare prices fairly, divide the price by the yield to get a rough cost per page, and compare that, not the price of one cartridge.
Chips, codes and getting the right one
Every cartridge has a code, usually printed on the cartridge itself and in the printer's menu or manual. Give the supplier both the printer model and the cartridge code. Many cartridges carry a small chip that the printer reads to count pages and report toner levels. A compatible cartridge needs a chip that matches your printer's firmware, and a firmware update can sometimes reject it, so ask the supplier what happens if that occurs. Some printers also have a separate drum unit that must be replaced on its own schedule.
Bulk orders, delivery and storage
Offices with several printers save time by keeping one spare of each code on the shelf and ordering in bulk. Many suppliers deliver to offices, and some run a stock check on a set day. Store toner flat or as the box says, in its sealed bag, away from heat and direct sun, and do not keep years of stock: toner has a shelf life. If your copier is on a service contract priced per click, toner is usually included already, so check before you buy any.
- Desktop laser printers in home offices
- Office copiers out of contract
- Fleets of printers across several floors
- Schools that print heavily in exam season
What to put in your request
- The printer or copier make and model
- The cartridge code for each colour
- How many of each you need
- OEM, compatible or remanufactured
- Delivery address and how often you order
Toner Cartridges for offices, schools and home offices
- Home offices: a black cartridge for a small laser printer delivered before the last one runs dry
- Small businesses and shops: a spare cartridge of each code kept on the shelf for the office printer and copier
- Corporate and head offices: bulk toner orders for printers on several floors, delivered on a set day each month
- Schools, colleges and universities: extra toner bought ahead of exam season when worksheets and papers double the volume
- Medical practices, clinics and hospitals: toner for reception printers that run forms, scripts and invoices all day
- Law firms, accountants and agents: black toner for long contracts and statements printed at a steady pace
- Government and municipalities: toner bought on a quotation or tender for printers across many offices
- Factories, mines and warehouses: cartridges for printers in dusty depots that print delivery notes and job cards
- Churches, NGOs and community groups: compatible toner for a donated printer that runs newsletters and orders of service
Frequently asked questions
Are compatible toner cartridges safe for my printer?
Why did my cartridge run out long before its yield?
Does my copier service contract include toner?
Do you sell toner cartridges yourselves?
Toner Cartridges by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg