Buying guide · Printing
How to Choose the Right Ink or Toner Cartridge
Three questions are enough: which cartridge number, which type (original, compatible or remanufactured) and which yield. Here is how to answer each one, and where to find the cartridge on our site.
1. Find the cartridge number
Every printer uses a specific cartridge number: HP 305, Canon PG-245, Brother TN-760, Epson 212, Lexmark 51B1000… You will find it:
- on the label of the cartridge currently installed;
- in the printer menu (ink or toner levels);
- on the sticker inside the cover or in the printer manual.
Type that number into the site search, or the printer model: every product page lists the compatible printers. Check the colour too (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) and, for laser printers, whether you need the toner or the drum.
2. Original, compatible or remanufactured?
| Type | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Original (OEM) | Made by the printer brand (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, Lexmark, Xerox, Samsung). | Printers under warranty or lease, photo printing, offices that want zero surprises. |
| Compatible | A new cartridge made by another manufacturer (fuzion, Premium Ink, CIG) to the same dimensions. Guaranteed. | The best cost per page for everyday documents. The choice of most of our business customers. |
| Remanufactured | An original cartridge recovered, cleaned, refilled and tested (Eco Ink, Clover, Ecotone). | The greenest choice, at a reduced price, for regular volumes. |
Compatible and remanufactured cartridges do not void a printer warranty in Canada. If a cartridge we sold causes a problem, we take it back.
3. Ink or toner: know your printer
Inkjet
Liquid ink, compact and inexpensive printer, ideal for photos and small volumes at home. Cartridges dry out if you do not print for weeks: choose the standard size if you print little.
Ink cartridges →Laser (toner)
Toner powder, fast and sharp printing, cartridges that never dry out and yields of 1,500 to 10,000 pages. The right choice for the office and regular volumes.
Toner cartridges →Drums and photoconductors
On many Brother, Lexmark and Xerox printers the drum is bought separately and lasts several cartridges. The printer tells you when it needs changing.
Drums →Copiers and multifunction printers
Imaging units, fuser kits, waste toner containers: the maintenance parts for larger machines.
Copier supplies →4. Standard or high yield?
XL, XXL or high yield means a cartridge of the same size that holds more ink or toner. It costs more up front, but the cost per page almost always drops by 20 to 40%. Simple rule: if you change cartridges more than once a quarter, switch to high yield.
Work out the real cost
Divide the cartridge price by the page yield shown on the product page. An $80 cartridge that prints 3,000 pages costs 2.7¢ a page; a $45 cartridge that prints 1,200 costs 3.8¢. Yields are measured at 5% coverage: expect fewer pages for documents with photos or large colour areas.
5. Our tips to make a cartridge last
- Keep spare cartridges in their packaging, away from heat and light, and respect the date on the box.
- With an inkjet printer, print one colour page every two weeks so the nozzles do not dry out.
- When the printer says "low level", there are often dozens of pages left: wait until quality drops before replacing.
- Gently rock a new toner cartridge from side to side before installing it to distribute the powder.
6. What about empty cartridges?
Do not throw them away. Drop them off at the Hamster | 2M store in Caraquet: we collect them for the Mira Foundation, which uses the proceeds to train guide and assistance dogs given free of charge to people who need them.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my cartridge number?
On the label of the cartridge currently installed (for example HP 305, Canon PG-245, Brother TN-760), in the printer menu or on the sticker inside the cover. You can also search our site for your printer model: every cartridge page lists the compatible printers.
Can a compatible cartridge damage my printer?
No, when it comes from a serious manufacturer. The fuzion, Premium Ink and Eco Ink cartridges we sell are made to the exact dimensions of the original and are guaranteed. If a cartridge causes a problem, we take it back.
What is a high-yield (XL) cartridge?
A cartridge of the same size that holds more ink or toner, for two to three times as many pages. The cost per page is almost always lower; it is the right choice as soon as you print every week.
How many pages will I get?
The yield on the product page is calculated at 5% coverage, which is an ordinary page of text. Photos, logos or colour charts use much more. Count on half the stated yield if you mostly print graphics.
Toner, drum, photoconductor: what is the difference?
Toner is the powder; the drum (or photoconductor) is the part that transfers the image to the paper. On many Brother and Lexmark printers the two are bought separately and the drum lasts three to five toner cartridges. The printer warns you when it needs replacing.
What do I do with empty cartridges?
Drop them off at Hamster | 2M in Caraquet: we collect them for the Mira Foundation, which uses the proceeds to fund the training of guide and assistance dogs.
Can't find your cartridge?
Send us the exact model of your printer: we check availability with our distributors and get back to you quickly. We can also set up recurring deliveries for businesses that print a lot.
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