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Toner & drum help

Ink, toner and drums: what is the difference?

Identify the supply your printer needs before replacing a part that is still working.

1 min read

Three different jobs

  • Ink cartridges supply liquid ink to an inkjet print head. Some cartridges contain the print head; others feed a separate one in the printer.
  • Toner cartridges hold the powder used by a laser or LED printer.
  • Drum units help form the image that is transferred to paper. Many Brother printers have a drum that is separate from the toner cartridge.
Two parts. Two different jobs.For printers with a separate toner cartridge and drum1Toner cartridgeHolds the toner powder2Drum unitHelps form the image on the pageInk Hero · Conceptual diagram; your cartridge shape may differ.
A separate drum can be reused when replacing toner, until it needs replacement itself.

Read the printer’s exact message. “Replace Toner” and “Replace Drum” ask for different supplies. A new toner cartridge will not reset the life of an old drum, and replacing a drum will not refill empty toner.

Technical references
Before you install a new toner cartridgeFaint toner, streaks or marks on laser printsBrother HL-L2340DW: replace a drum and clear “Replace Drum”

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Tell us your printer model and what’s happening. For an order, include your order number.

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