When you think of printing, you should know that without either toner or ink in your printer, you will get blank pages as your result. The differences between toner and ink cartridges may not be readily apparent, but that is no reason to assume that they are actually the same thing.

When looking at the differences and similarities between each type of cartridge, you'll soon see that aside from function and general design, they are actually quite different. By only looking at the design of the printer cartridge types, you might be led to believe that each of them is the same as the next.

In order to use your printer correctly, it is important to properly install the full cartridges in the printer; you'll find that printers usually take two cartridges. There will be one black cartridge and one cartridge that prints in color. Whether you are using toner cartridges or ink cartridges, you'll find that this is the case.

The differences lie in what the substance inside the cartridge is like, since ink is a liquid coloring agent and toner is a dry powder. Whether liquid or powder, the printing substances will be used to print images, text, and other features onto a piece of paper. Where the environment is concerned, each of the cartridge types is a good thing.

You'll probably have noticed by now that the names of the types of cartridge belie their style. Laser printers are the sole users of toner cartridges, while inkjet printers use only ink cartridges to print. You may assume by now that you are not able to use one kind of print cartridge in a printer of another type (imagine a toner cartridge in an inkjet printer). People who have tried to use the wrong kind of printing cartridge in a printer have found that it is impossible.

Refillable cartridges of both kinds are available, and this can be a much more cost-effective way to take care of empty cartridges than simply replacing them with new ones.

You may be curious as to which kind of printer you should purchase when the time comes. In general, laser printers and their respective cartridges cost more than inkjet printers. Laser printers hold the advantage in terms of print quality and speed, though, and you'll find that toner cartridges have a much longer life than ink cartridges.

For the most part, inkjet printers sell more units to the home printing crowd than laser printers, so this is something else to consider. Regardless of your choice, you'll be pleased.