- The first xerographic machine was created in 1959. In 1978, Xerox created the 9700 laser printer--the first commercial product to use a printer toner cartridge. In 1984, Hewlett Packard introduced the first personal LaserJet printer, which used an all-in-one cartridge. The toner cartridge remanufacturing industry was born in 1986; environmental concerns and high prices demanded the change.
- Printer toner is charged electrically so it adheres to paper with an opposite charge. The toner is forced through the cartridge and onto paper to form images. In the final stage, toner is melted onto paper, permanently binding the content.
- Printer toner is a polymer powder; typically, a polyester resin or styrene acrylate copolymer is used. Formulation, melting point and granule size of the toner will also vary. The original particle size was around 14-16 micrometers, but has since been reduced to improve image resolution. For most laser printers, the toner is available in a cartridge that must be replaced or refilled when empty.
- Printer toner provides many benefits over traditional liquid ink. It binds fibers of paper to the pigment, preventing text from smudging or bleeding. Printers using toner also have the capability to print thousands of pages, reducing the cost per page. Toner increases printing speeds and can be used on most types of paper.
- Printer toner is a very fine powder and can remain suspended in the air indefinitely. It causes lung irritation and respiratory diseases if inhaled. The microscopic particles found in toner are carcinogenic. People working with toner for an extended period may exhibit increased lung problems.
