When searching for a printer, there are obvious considerations such as speed, color capabilities, and wireless support, but there are also less-obvious aspects that can affect the quality of your final output. One of these aspects is the type of paper path used by the printer. The three main types of paper paths are U-shaped, L-shaped, and straight-through paths. When deciding between the different path types, there are a few factors to consider, as each has its advantages and disadvantages, and some printers even offer multiple paths within a single device, making the choice easier.

U-Shaped Path

The most common type of path for home users tends to be the U-shaped paper path, though many laser printers also utilize this design. It is commonly seen in a printer that has both the input and output tray located in the front of the device. The advantage is a model that is more compact, but the sharp bend that the paper makes during feeding and printing can often result in more frequent paper jams. Heavier stock such as photo paper is also more susceptible to bends and creases. A common printer that has the U-shapped path is the Brother HL-2270dw.

L-Shaped Path

An L-shaped path is generally used in a printer with an input tray on the top of the machine and the output tray in the front, like the Canon PIXMA MP560. When the printer feeds the paper from the top, it bends slightly so that it can come straight out of the output tray. L-shaped paths result in fewer jams than U-shaped paths, and work well with most specialty media. The main disadvantage is the extra vertical space required by many of these devices. Also, top-loading devices that are open can sometimes collect extra dust.

Straight-Through Path

The most versatile type of paper path to consider is a straight-through paper path. This type commonly results from a printer with a loading tray in the rear and an output tray in the front. There is virtually no bending of media required, which makes it ideal for heavy stock that is susceptible to jamming or creasing. Many printers provide a single-slot rear feed that gives users the option of a straighter path when printing on thick or specialty media, and this is often in addition to a U-shaped or L-shaped path for standard printing jobs. One of these printers that offer both a U-shape and straight-path is the HP LaserJet 1320. The main disadvantage of a straight-path system is the extra space required in the rear of the machine, which is often alleviated by models that offer it with a fold-out tray that is only opened when needed, offering the best of both worlds.

When choosing the best paper path, you should consider the type that will suit the media you print on, and how frequently specialty media is used. Users who only print on plain paper can use any type fairly successfully, while those who print on thicker media like card stock should probably choose an L-path or straight-path device. Of course, the available space and the dimensions of the machine may also dictate which type is most fitting. By understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each type, you can now make a more informed buying decision.

Many printers use a separate drum and toner cartridge so that each can be easily replaced independently.  Other printers use a toner cartridge that includes the drum, so that both are replaced at once.  Okidata printers are unique in that they use a separate toner cartridge and drum, but they snap together into a single unit.  Though there are slight differences in cartridges and drums between various OKI laser printer models, the concept is the same.

Sometimes new Okidata customers who have recently purchased their first Okidata laser printer do not realize that the imaging drum and cartridge are two separate pieces locked together.  Thus, when they order a replacement cartridge, the size of it can be awfully confusing as it is considerably smaller than the full assembly.

This is an Okidata drum without a cartridge.

This is an Okidata cartridge that is not yet attached to a drum.

As you can see, the drum is like a cradle that the Okidata toner cartridge snaps into.  After you snap it into place, there is a blue lever that will lock the cartridge in.  Once the two parts are connected, the assembly can be installed into the machine.  When it comes times to replace the cartridge, it is as simple as opening the top panel and turning that same lever to unlock the cartridge.  You can remove it and install the new one without having to remove the drum.  To replace the drum, though, the entire assembly must come out.  Unlock and remove the cartridge and simply snap it in to the new drum, then reinstall.

This process is shown very clearly in the video below:

The process of replacing Okidata drums and cartridges can be confusing for first-timers or for people who have been using laser printers made by other manufacturers.  Once you understand the system, however, it is quite simple.

MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition and is a technology used mainly by banks.  The process was developed as a way for machines to read sequences of numbers that are also readable by humans.  The system is used on almost every check and deposit slip, as a sequence of numbers running along the bottom left.  The first number is most often the bank’s routing number, while the second number is the customer’s account number.

This is a frequently asked question because many people who are looking for standard toner will come across an option to get standard or MICR toner and want to clarify the difference.  MICR toner cannot be used in a regular printer that produces text documents or images- it is specifically designed for printing checks.  Once again, MICR toner WILL NOT work in standard printers.

MICR uses a specific type of toner that usually includes iron oxide, which can be magnetized by the machine reading the numbers, in a process very similar to a magnetic tape recorder.  Each character is easily identified by the system, even when there is an obstruction, such as a stamp, pencil mark, etc.  Each character creates a very different waveform when being scanned, so they are easily recognized by the machine.

The system uses two very specific fonts, known as E-13B and CMC-7.  These fonts contain only numbers and a few other symbols which represent different banking terms such as transit and account number.  There are no letters included in the MICR system.

The most significant part of the MICR system is that it can be read by both humans and machines with almost perfect accuracy.  For example, barcodes can be read very accurately by machines, but not by humans.  Optical character recognition, or OCR software allows computers to recognize letters and numbers but with a relatively low accuracy rate.  With MICR, less than 1% of documents are unable to be read, and in these cases, the documents can be easily read by humans.

MICR printers are generally more expensive than traditional laser printers, due to the specialized nature.  MICR toner cartridges, however, are more widely available than the machines, and using third-party remanufactured cartridges can save quite a bit of money over the long run.

If you find yourself spending a lot of money on toner cartridges, you may have considered purchasing refilled toner cartridges, or even taking your empty cartridges to be refilled. While this might seem like a good way to avoid the high prices of OEM versions, such as genuine Oki toner, there are many drawbacks to using refilled cartridges that can make them unreliable and potentially even harmful to your printer. Other options such as remanufactured cartridges can offer higher-quality, affordable alternatives without the extra risk. Here are a few of the drawbacks of using refilled cartridges:

Damage to the Cartridge

Refilled cartridges are just as they sound. They are previously used cartridges that have been refilled with new toner. In many cases, this simply involves drilling a small hole in the cartridge and refilling it with toner powder. The process is often referred to as “drill and fill”. The problem with this process is that plastic shavings from drilling can drop into the toner chamber, which can cause damage to the printer toner cartridge, and sometimes even your printer. If the cartridge isn’t sealed correctly, it could even leak or spill causing a huge mess.

Poor Toner Quality

Some shops that handle the refilling process may use toner that is not up to the quality standards of the manufacturer. If the toner powder does not melt at the proper temperature, for example, it could work incorrectly and produce poor print quality and even cause damage to the machine’s internal components such as the fuser or roller.

No Guarantee

Many third parties that sell refilled toner or refill kits don’t offer the same quality guarantee as the manufacturer, or even the same guarantee you will often find when purchasing remanufactured toner cartridges. If something goes wrong with the cartridge or the kit, you may not be able to return it, and even worse, you may be stuck replacing your printer if it was damaged.

Low-Cost Alternatives

On the surface, the cost savings of refilled cartridges might seem worth the risk, especially when they are available at much lower prices than OEM versions. But this is not the only alternative. Remanufactured toner cartridges are those that have been previously recycled. They then go through the remanufactured printer toner process. This is a much more thorough process that includes inspection and replacement of any worn or faulty parts, carefully opening the cartridge with specialized tools, and refilling it with high-quality toner.

The best part about using remanufactured toner is that the price is much lower than OEM alternatives, but many sellers also offer a satisfaction guarantee. These cartridges meet or exceed the quality of their OEM counterparts, and still help you save money while avoiding the drawbacks of simple refilling. The result is an affordable and reliable solution to the high price of toner cartridges.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) printer cartridges are products that are manufactured directly by a brand name company, like HP or Canon, and have the manufacturer brand name directly on the product packaging.    If you purchase your printer cartridge from a retail web site, OEM or brand name cartridges are typically sold side-by-side with non-brand cartridges, typically called “compatible” or “remanufactured” cartridges, which are typically much less expensive than their brand name counterparts.

The warranty process  for OEM cartridges is completely different from compatibles or remanufactured cartridges, which are typically warrantied by the retailer. With OEM printer toner and inkjet cartridges, the warranty is provided directly from the manufacturer.  Your retailer will ask you to contact the manufacturer directly if you need to replace a defective OEM cartridge that is still under warranty.   The retailer has no choice on this matter, these rules are established by the manufacturers themselves.

Unfortunately, sometimes the manufacturer may be reluctant to provide warranty service on a product that was not purchased directly from them, but this does not change the warranty, and the manufacturer has an obligation to fulfill its warranty regardless of where the product was purchased.

In order to receive warranty service for an OEM product, use the contact phone number listed on the cartridge or on the original product packaging. Have the serial number of your machine ready, if possible, as many manufacturers will ask for it in order to verify the product’s warranty. Below is a list of contact information for popular manufacturers, and the typical warranty period for their products.

At home or in the office, if you print on a regular basis the costs will add up over time and take up a portion of your budget.  Because we do not pay per print, it is easy to disregard printing costs.  However, there are some simple things you can do to reduce those costs, thus opening a significant chunk of the budget for other things.

Use Compatible or Remanufactured Printer Cartridges

Instead of purchasing replacement ink or toner cartridges from the manfucturer or at a local office supplies store, check out some third-party vendors online.  Often they will have rebuilt cartridges or new, compatible cartridges that will produce the same quality but without the high price tag of the OEM versions.  There are also kits out there that you can use to refill the cartridges yourself, but this comes with many risks that may end up costing more than the original, especially if you have to replace your printer due to damage.

Print on Both Sides of the Paper

Most modern printers have an automatic duplex mode that will print on both sides of the page in a single pass.  Some printers only offer manual duplexing which requires you to flip the paper over after the first side has printed.  If this mode is used consistently, paper costs could be reduced by almost half, which could save you a significant amount of money.

Use the Draft Mode or Eco Mode

Most printers provide various print quality modes that you can choose from.  The draft mode or eco mode is the most economical as this mode uses less ink or toner per print.  The quality may degrade slightly, but it is usually hardly noticeable and the documents will still be acceptable for everyday use.  To set this mode, select Properties in the Print window and go to the Quality tab. Some models even offer a button on the control panel to enable this setting.

Adjust Darkness Settings

Setting the darkness level lower will not drastically change the document, yet it will usually reduce the amount of ink or toner being used per page.  The image or letters will still be crisp and clear, just not as bold.

Keep Things Digital

Some situations require a hard copy, but if something can be handled digitally, do so.  With the rise of scanners and the fall of fax machines over the last decade, only a single hard copy of something is often needed.  This can be scanned and saved or shared.  Important documents can be digitally signed, eliminating the need to print numerous copies.

Use the Right Kind of Printer

You know how much daily printing is done in your home or office, so it is up to you to determine the right kind of printer.  Inkjet printers are less expensive upfront, but the consumables have low yields, meaning you will be spending money on replacements frequently.  Laser printers are more expensive off the shelf but will cost less per page as the laser printer toner cartridge yield more and cost less.  If you are in an environment that requires a lot of printing, copying and faxing, the most economical choice is a multi-purpose machine.  It will save money, space, time and energy.

These are some of the ways you can cut your overall printing costs, none of which require too much work.  Most require simply changing a few settings and finding a new cartridge vendor.  If you make these changes, you may be amazed how much less you spend to print over the course of a year.

Many HP printers feature letters after the model number.  For instance, the HP LaserJet CP5525 comes in 3 variations: CP5525n, CP5525dn, and CP5525xh.  If you are a buyer looking for a new HP printer for your home or office, these extra letters may be confusing, but they help to describe some of the main features of their particular models.

Here is a list of many common model variations and what the letter represent:

• d – duplexing
• n – networking
• t – extra paper tray
• dn – duplex and networking
• dtn – duplex, networking and extra paper tray
• x – duplex, networking and extra paper tray (many older models have the “dtn” variation, but that has been replaced on more current models by the letter “x”)
• xh – duplex, networking, extra paper tray and hard drive
• xm – duplex, networking, extra paper tray and mailbox
• xs – duplex, networking, extra paper tray and stacker
• xsk – duplex, networking, extra paper tray, stacker and stapler
• sk – stapler and stacker
• f – fax
• h – hard drive
• i – card slots
• w – wireless
• wf – wireless and fax
• bt – Bluetooth
• wbt – wireless and Bluetooth
• nw – networking and wireless

In many cases, the base model is upgradeable to add these features one by one.  If a small company is just starting out, the base model may be sufficient in the beginning, but as business increases, additional features may be required.  Alternatively, if an established company is in need of a fully-loaded machine, the various model types with included features are available upfront.  This gives HP printers more versatility than some of the competition.

Nothing lasts forever, including printers.  Whether you have a personal inkjet printer at your house or a high-volume MFP printer in your office, a day will come when it is time to bid farewell.  But how will you dispose of your machine?  Tossing it in the nearest dumpster is an option, but there are a number of other options that would be considerably better for the environment, and potentially beneficial for all parties involved.

Recycle It

Did you know that almost every piece of a printer is recyclable?  The plastic frame and trays, the rubber and metal components, the ink or toner cartridges – many of these components can be used to make something else.  Do the environment a favor and call a local recycling company or the garbage service in your county to schedule a pick-up or drop-off.  Some organizations offer credit or even cash in return for your recycled product.  Even stores like Best Buy have carry-in programs.  If there is no local recycling facility near you, here is a link for some general recycling information.

Donate It

Thrift stores and Goodwill are always willing to accept mechanical equipment, working or not working.  Schools, libraries, churches, community centers, etc. would also happily accept a donated printer, though only a functioning one would be of use to them.  You might want to consider removing the ink or toner cartridges from the machine (if empty) and donating those to foundations that recycle used cartridges for fundraising.

Give It Away

Though the prices of printers have become very reasonable over the years, having their own printer in the house is not a luxury everybody has.  You probably have friends that print their pictures at Walmart, print concert tickets at work, or print homework at the library before class.  If you have an old, working printer, why not give it to one of these friends?  Even if it doesn’t work, there are many people that simply enjoy trying to fix things or take something apart just to put it back together.

Sell It

If your old printer still works properly, but just doesn’t sufficiently handle your daily needs anymore, consider selling it.  You can use the classified section of the local newspaper or the internet.  Craigslist is a good site to use for local transactions that involve buyers picking up the product, while Ebay will reach a worldwide audience but involves the hassle of shipping, which is not always easy when it comes to printers.

These are simple alternatives to throwing a fixable machine or recyclable products in a garbage can.  Even if the printer no longer suits your needs, you never know how much it could benefit someone else.

Brother laser printers track the life of the drum unit very closely, as it is an essential component in laser printing technology.  The machine will warn you when the drum is nearing the end of its life with a blinking LED light, usually indicating that the drum will need to be replaced soon. The drum is the part of the printer that transfers printer toner from the cartridge to the page, so if the drum unit gets dirty or worn down, the quality of the prints will suffer.

The green light blinking next to ‘Drum’ indicates the end of the drum’s life is near and the blue ‘Go’ button is used to clear the blinking light.

If the drum LED is blinking, you can replace the drum immediately to avoid any further issue, but don’t jump the gun on this.  Even if the indicator light is blinking, it is recommended to continue using your current drum until you can see a noticeable decline in quality. Once you start to see this, the drum is truly at the end of its life.  The LED indicator light is actually based on the number of pages printed rather than the actual condition of the drum, so it is entirely possible for you to get many more pages after the first warning sign.

If the LED light continues to blink after you have replaced the drum, the printed page counter was not automatically reset when the new drum was installed. It is important to note that you should only reset the counter after installing a new drum so the printer can accurately keep track of the drum’s usage.  To reset this counter manually, follow these instructions:

1. Open the printer’s cover.

2. Hold down the Go button until you can see that all four LED lights are on, then let go of the Go button.

3. Shut the cover.

4. Confirm that the drum LED is off.

The drum is one of the most important parts in any laser printer.  If you so choose, you can always attempt to clean the drum before replacing it.  This may allot you a few more prints, but it also comes with some risks, as does any activity that involves touching components inside the machine yourself.  If you continue to have problems, don’t hesitate to contact Brother Technical Support for further assistance.