If you place the same report from an inkjet printer and a laser printer side by side, you may notice a difference before you know which machine printed which page. The laser-printed text might look a little sharper, while the inkjet page may have smoother colors or more detailed images.

But does this mean that toner produces better print quality than ink does? The answer will depend on what type of print job you need.

Toner generally produces sharper text, clean lines, and consistent business documents. Inkjet ink shines when printing photographs, detailed artwork, and images with gradual color changes. Neither toner nor ink is higher quality than the other. They simply have different properties that make each one better for certain applications.

Although we at STPT primarily specialize in laser printers, we also recognize when an inkjet printer is the better fit.

When businesses and organizations start shopping for a new multifunction printer, it's easy to assume that faster always means better.

But that's not always true.

Many organizations don't need the fastest machine on the market—they need one that's dependable, easy to manage, and capable of keeping up with everyday document workflows without adding unnecessary cost. For departments that print primarily in black and white, the right balance of performance, scanning, and reliability often matters more than having the highest page-per-minute rating.

That's where the Xerox/Lexmark MX951se comes in.

If your Xerox AltaLink B8100/C8100 Series copier is displaying a "Replace Drum" message or you're starting to notice streaks, faded prints, or a decline in image quality, it may be time to replace one of the drum units. While replacing a drum might sound like a job for a technician, Xerox designed the process so users can complete it themselves with just a few careful steps.

The drum is one of the most important imaging components inside your copier. It works with the toner to transfer text and images onto the page. Because the drum experiences wear with every print, it eventually reaches the end of its service life. When that happens, the copier will notify you that it's time for a replacement to help maintain consistent print quality.

Are you seeing the 'Replace Waste Toner Container' message on your printer and wondering if it's time for a technician? Do you have documents waiting in the queue or employees relying on the copier?

Fortunately, replacing the waste toner container on a Xerox AltaLink B8100/C8100 Series copier is pretty simple. However, you need to be careful to remove the full container so it doesn’t tip and spill loose toner inside the machine or around your office.

The waste toner container collects excess toner that is removed during normal printing. Once the container reaches capacity, the copier alerts you that it needs to be replaced. Continuing to use a full container can lead to toner overflow, internal buildup, or the machine stopping until a replacement is installed.

 Regardless of your printer type, regular cleaning helps keep it running smoothly and can prevent common issues like poor print quality, paper jams, and dirty scans. However, it’s important to know how to clean properly, as doing it incorrectly can damage your printer. 

We’ve maintained and repaired printers for over 40 years.  In this guide, we'll share what we know about safely cleaning both the inside and outside of your printer using manufacturer-recommended best practices. While many of the examples come from our experience with Xerox equipment, these general cleaning methods can apply to most printer brands.

You'll also learn when your printer needs cleaning, the difference between cleaning an inkjet and laser printer, common mistakes to avoid, and what to do if cleaning doesn't solve the problem.

Table of Contents