What is the Canon Think Tank System?

The Canon Think Tank System™ is used in many of the Canon photo printers as well as the all-in-ones. This system uses individual color ink tanks instead of one Cannon ink cartridge. The best thing about this is when one color of ink runs out, you simply replace that individual tank, and not the entire ink cartridge. The cartridges are simple to replace, snapping easily into place. None of the ink is ever wasted, and you save big money on cartridges. Canon printers utilize on screen low ink alerts so that you never unexpectedly run out of ink. This technology, developed by Canon over ten years ago, eliminates unnecessary waste and is environmentally friendly.
Back to the Top

What is an all-in-one toner cartridge?

In 1982, the introduction of All-In-One Canon cartridges dramatically decreased maintenance issues for photocopiers. Canon was first in the world to introduce the all-in-one toner cartridge. The cartridge was designed to include all of the components that were most likely to require service calls during the life of the photocopier, including the photosensitive drum, electrified receptacle, developer receptacle, and cleaner and toner receptacles. Combining all of these elements into one removable cartridge made it simple for users to remove and replace the cartridge quickly and keep their photocopiers running smoothly. This sharply decreased the need for maintenance repair calls saving both money and time! When you consider the total cost of ownership of a photocopier and not just the purchase price, you can see why the all-in-one cartridge is a huge plus for businesses and home offices today.
Back to the Top

How do I care for my Ink Jet Cartridges?

Get the most from your ink jet cartridges by keeping them in top condition.


1. Keep your cartridges at room temperature, otherwise they will leak.

2. Store color cartridges upright to avoid cross contamination.

3. After installing a new ink jet cartridge, print a couple test pages before you print your document so the ink can settle.

4. Do not allow your ink cartridges to sit empty; refill them as soon as possible.

5. When you notice your ink is running low, don’t drain it down to the last drop. If your inkjet fires while the cartridge is empty, it will burn out.


Proper care of your ink jet cartridges will substantially increase the life of your ink jet printer.
Back to the Top

How can I get more money from my toner cartridge?

Printer toner cartridges aren’t cheap so learning a few tips on how to get the most value from your printer cartridge is worthwhile:


1. Keep your cartridge at room temperature at all times. Leaving a cartridge in the trunk of your car in extreme hot or cold weather will damage it.

2. Do not attempt to open the plastic casing around the cartridge. There is nothing you can do to repair a faulty cartridge by opening it.

3. Always keep the original bag and box your cartridge is in so you can use them to store and return the cartridge when it is empty.

4. Do not expose your cartridge to excessive light which will damage some of the components.

5. When your cartridge is empty, do not let it sit for long periods of time before refilling it.

Keeping these tips in mind will help you get the most money for your printer toner cartridge.
Back to the Top

What is the Difference between Standard and High Yield Toner Cartridges?

The difference between standard and high yield toner cartridges is the print yield. A high yield toner cartridge may produce up to 10,000 letter style copies, while a standard yield toner cartridge will only produce 3,000 or 4,000 letter style copies. You will find high yield varieties in most manufacturer’s cartridges. Whenever choosing a toner cartridge, it is a good idea to first determine how much paper you use each month so you can select the best laser printer toner cartridge for your printer. A case of letter-sized paper equals 10 reams of paper. A ream of paper is equal to 500 sheets. So if you are printing more than one case of paper each month (or 5,000 sheets), it will probably save you time and money in the long run to purchase a high yield printer toner cartridge.
Back to the Top

I'm out of ink and there's no time to get more! What can I do?
You're on deadline, you're down to the last few pages of printing, and bam! You get the dreaded "out of ink" message. If you're using a printer with upright inkjet cartridges, chances are that it measures its own ink supply by weight, not by knowing how much ink is actually in the cartridge. You may be able to get those last few pages printed if you tape a penny to the top of the cartridge to add weight and squeeze out the last of the printer toner.
Back to the Top

What is the Canon Think Tank System?
Canon uses its Think Tank System™ is used in many of its photo printers as well as the all-in-ones. This system uses individual color ink tanks instead of one Canon ink cartridge. The best thing about this is when one color of ink runs out, you simply replace that individual tank, and not the entire ink cartridge. (This is a good opportunity to switch to discount ink cartridges instead of paying a premium for the Canon brand.) The cartridges are simple to replace, snapping easily into place.
Back to the Top

How can I care for my printer cartridges?
Name-brand and generic toner cartridges are reasonably sturdy, but should not be stored in places where the temperature reaches more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In particular, avoid storing inkjet cartridges in a vehicle or in any place where they could be subjected to direct sunlight.
Back to the Top

Do printer cartridges go bad after a certain amount of time?
It may be tempting to pick up ink cartridges on sale in an out-of-the-way store or super-discount outlet, but be careful. Discount cartridges from a company specializing in printer toner are fine -- they go through enough products, whether generic or name brand, that you won't have any trouble with expired ink. Printer cartridges do have a shelf life -- after a year or 18 months, even sealed in their packages, they lose some of their effectiveness. Likewise, if you haven't used your printer in two or three months, you may need to put in a new ink cartridge for best results.
Back to the Top