Cartridges

  • Keep in the factory packaging until installation — the photo drum is light-sensitive.
  • Store strictly horizontally, in the installation orientation: on its side, the toner settles and clumps.
  • Temperature 10-25 °C, without sharp swings. A cartridge brought in from the cold should sit for 2-3 hours before opening, otherwise condensation will form on the drum.
  • Shelf life is usually up to 2 years. Expired toner loses its flowability and produces background.

Paper

  • Only in sealed packaging, on a shelf, not on the floor.
  • Away from windows, radiators, and exterior walls — humidity fluctuates there.
  • Use an opened ream within a week; reseal the rest in its packaging.
  • Optimal room humidity is 40-60%.

Inkjet Ink

Store tightly sealed, in the dark, and don't freeze it. Once a bottle is opened, the ink stays usable for about six months.

A Simple Rule

Buy consumables 2-3 months ahead, not a year's worth. Volume discounts rarely offset the losses from spoiled storage.