We now offer OEM (brand name) cartridges besides the non-OEM (third party) we currently offer. Please call or email for pricing.

If you have these Brother Hl-L3210Cw, Hl-L3230Cdw, Hl-L3270Cdw, Hl-L3290Cdw, Mfc-L3710Cw,Mfc-L3750Cdw, Mfc-L3770Cdw printer(s) and are using third party (non OEM) cartridges (TN223 or 227) and purchased them before the summer of 2023, they will not work now. It looks like Brother is taking a page from HP playbook, they changed the firmware, when you put it in it will show as being EMPTY.

Winter is here 11/30/23. It’s that time of year again. For those of you that may have their Printer/PC in a 3 season room, BE AWARE. Just about every printer has an operating range of 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Which means, your machine will have issues when you operate it, outside the range. As for your ink or toner, ink will freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and toner will clump together (yes humidity is in the cartridge). In either case, they must be thawed completely before using, otherwise you will have issues. Stay warm.

HP gets hit again with lawsuit over it’s ink and tone cartridges and firmware updates. If you want to use third party inks or toners in you HP printer, turn off firmware updates. Run a search for “turn off HP (printer model #) firmware”.

Https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/hp-gets-slapped-with-yet-another-lawsuit-for-blocking-printers-using-anything-other-than-its-own-inky-liquid-cash-cow/ar-AA1n0rIb?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=faf0e68cb76b4cf4988235f84be8f9ff&ei=39

Once again HP has released a firmware (the latest firmware 20230708) update on 8/8/23 for anyone using a CF289(A or X, any color) or HP 89(A or X) cartridges. If you are using a third party cartridge it may no longer work if your printer was updated.

On your printer or HP’s website (for this cartridge) make sure firmware is turned off, if you haven’t done this already.

HP LaserJet Pro MFP M528c, MFP M528z, M507dn, M507dng, M507n, M507x, MFP M528dn Printers.

5% Coverage

The term “5% coverage on paper” refers to a standard measurement used in the printing industry to estimate the amount of ink or toner that is typically used to print a single page of text. It is used as a standard reference point to calculate the expected yield of ink or toner cartridges and to compare the cost per page of different printers and consumables.

The 5% coverage rule assumes that a printed page contains approximately 5% of the total surface covered in ink or toner. This coverage is typically based on a specific pattern of text, which includes letters, numbers, and spaces, spread uniformly across the page. In reality, pages with dense graphics or images will consume more ink or toner, while pages with only a few lines of text will use less.

Here’s an explanation of “5% coverage on paper while printing”:

1. What is Coverage in Printing? Coverage in printing refers to the amount of ink or toner applied to a page. It is typically expressed as a percentage and represents the area of the page that is covered with ink or toner.
2. Understanding 5% Coverage: “5% coverage” means that only 5% of the total surface area of the paper is covered with ink or toner. In practical terms, this corresponds to a light amount of ink or toner spread evenly across the page, leaving most of the paper blank or unprinted.
3. Usage and Importance: The concept of coverage is crucial in printing because it impacts several aspects:

3. Cost: Higher coverage requires more ink or toner, leading to increased printing costs.
4. Print Quality: Lower coverage usually results in lighter prints, while higher coverage may lead to darker and more saturated prints.
5. Page Yield: Printers are often rated based on how many pages they can produce at a given coverage percentage (e.g., 5% coverage).

4. Standard Measurement: 5% coverage is a standard benchmark used in the printing industry for assessing printing costs and page yield. Many manufacturers and vendors provide page yield estimates based on this coverage, assuming that typical documents have a relatively low ink or toner coverage.
5. Real-Life Examples: In practice, a page with 5% coverage might resemble a simple text document with only a few lines of text or a small logo. If you were to print a full-page photo or graphics, the coverage would be significantly higher, and you would likely need more ink or toner.
6. Adjusting Coverage: The coverage percentage can be adjusted based on the specific printing requirements. For instance, for printing photos, graphics, or presentations, higher coverage is expected, while for basic text documents or drafts, lower coverage may be more appropriate to reduce costs.

The next page is a sample of 5% yield or coverage on a print are

The Red is 5% yield or coverage based on this print area on this page.

1%	2%	3%	4%	5%	6%	7%	8%	9%	10%

In summary, “5% coverage on paper while printing” indicates that a small portion of the paper’s surface is covered with ink or toner. Understanding coverage is essential for estimating printing costs, assessing print quality, and determining the expected page yield from ink or toner cartridges.

The concept of “5% coverage on paper” is related to how printer manufacturers measure the yield of their ink or toner cartridges, not how much of the paper’s surface is covered.

In printing, “5% coverage” refers to the amount of ink or toner required to print a specific standardized test page, known as the ISO/IEC 19752 test page for monochrome (black and white) printers or the ISO/IEC 24712 test page for color printers. These test pages consist of a set of predefined text and graphics that cover approximately 5% of the total printable area on a standard letter-sized (A4) page.

History (if you care)

The ISO/IEC (International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission) establishes these standards to provide a consistent and objective way to measure the yield of ink or toner cartridges across different printer models and brands.

So when you see a printer manufacturer stating a certain page yield, for example, “1,000 pages at 5% coverage,” it means that the cartridge should be able to print approximately 1,000 pages of the ISO/IEC test page with 5% ink or toner coverage on each page. In real-world usage, the actual page yield can vary depending on the content being printed, as pages with more text or graphics will require more ink or toner.

Keep in mind that the 5% coverage figure is just a standardized benchmark for comparison and may not accurately reflect the actual number of pages you can print with a specific cartridge in your everyday printing tasks. Other factors, such as the density of your documents and the print settings you use, can affect the actual yield.

Purchasing a desktop printer involves several steps and considerations to ensure you get the right printer for your needs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Assess Your Needs: Determine the purpose of the printer. Are you planning to use it primarily for home use, a small office, or for heavy-duty printing in a larger office setting? Consider the volume of printing you’ll be doing, the types of documents you’ll be printing, and whether you need any special features like scanning, copying, or faxing.
2. Research Printer Types: There are several types of desktop printers available, including inkjet, laser, and all-in-one printers. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Inkjet printers are generally more affordable but may have higher ink costs. Laser printers are faster and cost-effective for high-volume printing but may have a higher upfront cost. All-in-one printers combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing functionalities in one device.
3. Set a Budget: Determine your budget for the printer. Prices can vary widely depending on the type and features of the printer. Keep in mind the initial cost of the printer, as well as ongoing expenses like ink or toner cartridges.
4. Read Reviews and Compare Models: Once you have a general idea of the type of printer you want and your budget, read online reviews and compare different models from various brands. Look for user feedback on print quality, speed, reliability, and ease of use.
5. Consider Connectivity Options: Decide on the connectivity options you need. Most modern printers come with USB connectivity, but if you want to print wirelessly from your computer, smartphone, or tablet, look for printers with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities. Some printers also offer cloud printing features.
6. Check Paper Handling and Size: Make sure the printer can handle the paper sizes you commonly use (e.g., letter, legal, A4) and check the paper input and output capacities to ensure they meet your printing needs.
7. Look for Energy Efficiency: Consider the printer’s energy consumption, especially if you plan to use it frequently. Energy-efficient models can help reduce long-term operating costs.
8. Check for Warranty and Support: Look for printers that come with a warranty and reliable customer support in case you encounter any issues with the device.
9. Purchase and Setup: After finalizing your decision, make the purchase from a reputable retailer or online store. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setting up the printer, installing the necessary drivers and software, and connecting it to your devices.
10. Buy Supplies: Don’t forget to buy extra ink or toner cartridges, as well as any specialty paper you might need, to ensure you can start using your new printer without interruption.

Remember, the key to a successful printer purchase is to find a device that fits your specific needs and offers good value for your money. Take your time to research and compare different models to make an informed decision.

If you have a printer that receives Firmware updates, you may want to turn off Firmware updates. As most of the time the codes are changed which will effect non-brand cartridges.