5 Frequently Asked Questions about Ink, Toner and Drum

Ink, toner and drum — what you need to know

If you use a printer at home or in the office, you’ve probably wondered: “What’s the difference between ink and toner?”, “How long do they last?”, “What is the drum?”. These are common questions since these consumables directly affect print quality and cost.

Below, we answer the 5 most common questions, give practical tips, and suggest solutions that will help you save money and time by choosing the right supplies.

Ink or Toner — What’s the difference and which one suits my needs?

The most frequent question: “What’s the difference between ink and toner?”

• Ink (liquid): Used in inkjet printers. Stored in cartridges and sprayed directly onto paper. Provides excellent image quality and vivid colors, ideal for photos and high-resolution documents.

• Toner (powder): Used in laser printers. Fine powder transferred to paper via the drum unit and fixed with heat. Laser printers are faster and more efficient for high-volume printing.

Inkjet advantages:

• High-quality photo printing.

• Ideal for low-volume use.

• Lower initial printer cost.

Laser toner advantages:

• Much lower cost per page (CPP).

• Faster printing speed.

• Best for businesses and offices.

PrintKing Tip: If you print often, a laser printer with toner and drum is more economical long-term. For photos or a few pages per month, go for inkjet.
Check out XL high-yield toners to cut cost per page by up to 50%.

How long do ink and toner last? Do they expire?

Ink shelf life:
Ink dries out if unused for long. Usually lasts 18–24 months from production date.

Toner shelf life:
Toner powder is more durable. Typically 24–36 months if stored upright, cool, and dry, away from sun and humidity.

What does “up to 3,000 pages” mean?
Page yield is based on ISO/IEC standards with 5% coverage (a standard text page). Photos or dense text use more.

Storage tips:

• Don’t open cartridges until needed.

• Keep them sealed in packaging.

• Avoid heat and humidity.

PrintKing Tip: At PrintKing, you’ll find compatible toners up to 50% cheaper than OEM with the same quality and lifespan.

What is the Drum Unit and when should it be replaced?

• The Drum Unit: A photoconductive cylinder in laser printers. It transfers toner powder onto paper before fusing it with heat.

• Not the same as toner:

  • Toner = powder.

  • Drum = component that applies toner to paper.

When to replace the drum:

• Prints show streaks, faded marks, or repeating patterns.

• Printer shows “Replace Drum” message.

• Poor print quality despite new toner.

Drum life is measured in pages (e.g., Brother drums often last 10,000–15,000 pages).

Tip: Never touch the drum surface — it damages easily.

Compatible or Original Cartridges — worth it?

• OEM (Original): Made by the printer brand (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson). Full compatibility, guaranteed, but more expensive.

• Compatible (new, non-refilled): Made by third parties. Up to 50% cheaper. Good brands offer quality equal to OEM.

PrintKing Tip: Choose premium compatible toners with warranty — save money without losing reliability.

Why doesn’t my printer recognize the cartridge? Common issues & fixes

Possible causes:

• Protective tape not removed.

• Cartridge chip not making contact.

• Printer firmware update blocks older cartridges.

• Incorrect cartridge model.

• Dust or dirt on contacts.

Quick fixes:

1. Reinsert cartridge.

2. Clean contacts with a dry cloth.

3. Check part number.

4. Restart printer.

Tip: If you see stripes or repeated marks, the drum likely needs replacing, not the toner.

At PrintKing, you’ll find both original and compatible inks, toners, and drums with warranty and expert support. Choose the right one for your printer today and make every print more economical!