You know, I have been playing with printer ink and toner cartridges for over 10 years and I like to think of myself as relatively clever when it comes to printer and toner issues. Yesterday, in the middle of an urgent run of printing, I had to change the toner and I became the laughing stock of the office!

I really think I should have given the job to one of my capable staff members, but I was in control freak mode.

This ink cartridge in question, that caused all of the embarrassment is a compatible cartridge. We bought the old HP Laser from a printer repairer, simply to print our connotes, mainly because laser printers and sticky labels don’t go well together. If a label curls and sticks the drum, it’s goodbye cartridge and hello expense, and as you are sure to appreciate, being a small business run from home, the last thing we need is more expenses.

Mostly, genuine and compatible printer ink and toners have big colourful plastic tab that stands out that seems to scream, “Pull me out before placing in the printer”. There wasn’t one on this compatible cartridge. And as it was such an old model, I assumed that maybe it was pre-tabs, or that the builder of the cartridge got a bit slack.

That happens sometimes in the printer ink and toner industry. Depending on who the cartridge builder is, things can be left out, or not replaced properly. Generally, our supplier gets top marks for their printer ink and toner quality, but sometimes… well you know what I mean.

So in goes the cartridge and out comes paper that is increasingly printing fainter and fainter.

Out comes the cartridge (3 times) and I check it. Nope, no tab. I shake it. Is it empty? I don’t have a replacement toner cartridge and I start to panic.

Finally I call in the big guns (the husband). He looks for the tab that I swear is not there, and discovers it sticky taped to the back of the cartridge! It was cleverly disguised, in my opinion, as a white label with red writing.

Hmm. I think I just learned a lesson. I know I earned ridicule from the rest of the office staff.

Next time someone calls the help desk with problems with their new printer ink or cartridge, I promise I will be extra patient with them. Or hand the call to the husband!

The team at tonermart and the cartridge family have over 10 years experience in printer ink cartridges. Don’t hesitate to call or email and ask them.