You can choose to read this guide from beginning to end, or jump directly to a section of interest. Bottled toner is plain toner in a plastic bottle. It is typically used with photocopiers and is simply poured into a toner container within the machine. Toner cartridges are more complex units, consisting of toner plus an imaging drum, all packaged in a plastic case. Laser printers and fax machines most often use toner cartridges, although many low-end copiers do as well.
Toner cartridges cost more than bottle toner, but are also usually easier to find.
Although different types of toner can look quite similar to the naked eye, they can differ greatly in terms of their properties and actual makeup. As a result, toner that works in one machine may not necessarily work in another. However, this does not mean that you are limited to the specific type of toner specified by the manufacturer. Many models, particularly laser printers, can often use the same exact toner. In addition, there are vendors that produce generic versions of popular types of toner.