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Tech Tips:  Main Compatible Supplies Paper Jams Image Quality Product Yields Service Calls |
  Product Yields The average life cycle of any given imaging product (toner cartridge, ink cartridge, drum unit, etc.) is usually noted by the manufacturer in their product literature or in the machine's user manual. There are, however, a few factors which can dramatically affect this yield and give the customer the false impression of a defective product. Below are some notes for our customers so they will better understand what and what not to expect in terms of product yields and life cycles. HOW YIELDS ARE DETERMINED A) Toner and ink cartridge yields are usually determined by a percentage of coverage - usually 5%. A page with a 5% coverage area is the equivalent to a short business letter. B) You should expect your yield to drop significantly as you add more solid black areas to your page. C) Supplies such as developer and drum units usually are rated just by the number of pages printed. These supplies should not need to be changed very often (if your machine uses them). HOW TO DETERMINE PRODUCT YIELDS A) One easy way is to put a case of paper (5000 sheets) next to the machine - If you use only half of the case then you will know the yield for that cartridge was around 2500 pages. B) Depending on what type of machine you have - you can run a self test and get the exact page count before you install the new supply. When it's time to change it again, run the self-test once more and subtract the numbers for the yield. C) Some machines give the page count right on the screen. HOW TO INCREASE YOUR PRODUCT YIELDS (OR SAVE MONEY) A) Many times we have noticed customers changing their toner cartridge when the machine says toner low. This message can sometimes be false - pull the toner or supply out of the machine and rock it back and forth. Usually this is all that needs to be done to make the message go away. B) Some machines have what is called an "economode". This is a great way to strech your dollars - the machine merely puts less toner on the page. Look in your user manual to see if you can do this. C) If your machine does not have an "economode" you can simply turn down the density to a lighter setting. |
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