Hello! Back by popular demand, Here is this week’s next post! Let’s take another dive into your machine’s supplies, namely inks and toners.

Here, we will talk a bit about changing and handling the supplies. Just like paper, care must be taken with inks and toners.

Toner usually comes in a plastic box or bottle. Ink comes in many forms, from small cartridges all the way up to large bottles, and even thick plastic bags! Did I mention that if done wrong, you can make a royal mess with either one? Yep, and those messes are NOT easy to clean up! Read this blog to learn more about properly installing and handling your supplies.

Let’s start with toner. Toner is used in laser printers, where heat is used to fuse the toner dust to the paper. When installing toner, you may be instructed to give it a shake. Don’t shake TOO vigorously, or you may end up wearing the toner. Just shake it lightly. This loosens up any stuck toner, allowing all of it to be used in your machine.

WASTE TONER: Most machines have a separate waste toner container that you will need to replace every so often. Be aware that some toner may be on the outside of the bottle. The best practice here is to dispose of the full container, and put in a new, empty one. While some can be emptied easily, it is advised that you avoid doing so as it can distribute easily through the air.

CLEANING TONER SPILLS: If you happen to spill toner, you may be tempted to bust out the vacuum cleaner and clean it up that way. YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS!

Cleaning up toner with a standard vacuum cleaner can cause a massive static charge, potentially leading to a fire. IF you spill toner, call CopyLady ASAP. Our technicians are equipped with specialized vacuum cleaners for exactly this purpose.

Got toner on your hands? Let me just advise you now: DO NOT USE HOT WATER TO WASH! Think about it. Toner is stuck to the paper with what? Yep, that’s right, HEAT! Washing with hot water will cause a worse mess than you started with. Use only COLD water.

Wearing toner? Yeah, I don’t think that Magenta is a good companion to a white office shirt. You will want to do a manual cleanup with COLD water. Once you have removed the toner as much as possible, you can toss it in a washing machine, again on COLD.

Ok, now on to INK. Ink is a liquid-based pigment that is used in inkjet printers and copiers. When it gets on surfaces it should never be on, it can create a mess. Unlike toner, Not only is shaking unnecessary, but shaking an ink pack/cartridge can result in you becoming an ink sprinkler. Simply install your new ink pack/cartridge.

For ink packs, be sure not to puncture them, or remove them from their packaging with any sharp implements, such as a knife. Ink packs are essentially plastic bladders containing a copious amount of ink. (Cartridges are the same way in most cases, but encased in a hard plastic shell)

When installing, follow the instructions outlined on your machine.

Again, DO NOT SHAKE your ink! (Unless you really want a colorful shower in the office for whatever reason)

In the event you do spill ink somehow, you can clean it up easily IF you act quickly. A paper towel can clean most of it up, but you may leave a stain behind. You should be able to get this up with regular vinegar.

For clothing, apply rubbing alcohol or hairspray to the stain, blot with a paper towel, and rinse with cold water. You can then wash in the machine as usual.

Now, should you manage to spill ink or toner inside your machine, that’s something else altogether. Do NOT attempt to clean this out yourself! In doing so, you run the risk of damaging sensitive components. Discontinue use of the machine and call CopyLady ASAP. One of our highly skilled technicians will come out and help clean up the spill inside your machine.

Also, DO NOT continue to run your machine with ink/toner spilled inside, as this can lead to issues ranging from print quality problems, all the way to component failure. Call Copylady and have one of our technicians clean the machine out.

ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s directions when removing or installing supplies on your machine to prevent damage, or even a huge mess, and remember: ONLY use GENUINE OEM supplies in your machine. When you get your machine from CopyLady, we ONLY provide Genuine OEM toners and inks. We do NOT use knockoffs!