Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a curated list of questions and answers intended to address aspects that are important to understand about GIT products and services.
Products
1. What products and services does GIT sell?
GIT offers you everything to ensure you can print-everything that is, but the paper.
GIT offers a variety of products, services and solutions to serve customers’ needs in workspace printing. While GIT’s core business is the remanufacture of premium compatible toner cartridges, other products and services include:
• Print equipment service and maintenance
• HP LaserJet printers and multifunction devices
• Managed Print Services
2. How much can I save with GIT?
Between 15% and 25%
Your savings entirely depend on your consumption volumes and ordering patterns. If you order 1-2 cartridges at a time, your savings will be in the range of 15%-20%. If you are consuming and ordering higher volumes, your savings may go up to 20%-25% versus the prevailing OEM market rates. It is however, not uncommon for very large consumers on an enterprise or government level to save even more. We would be delighted to let you know what you could save if you can provide us with your consumption figures.
The cartridge price is however not the only way you can save with GIT. You can also save money on the maintenance of your equipment if you opt for our services (for more information please look under ‘Service’). Additionally you can save on cost by saving time. If your printer, the service and the consumables are all provided by one supplier, you save considerable time, effort and cost compared to what you would spend in sourcing different partners for different tasks.
3. How else do I benefit from using GIT's premium toner cartridges?
Reduce; reuse; recycle – using our cartridges helps you do all three.
Using GIT toner cartridges also helps protect the environment by keeping toxic substances out of landfills and conserving natural resources. Please refer to the website’s section on Sustainability and Environment for more information.
For details on how much you can improve your carbon footprint look here: UKCRA – UK Cartridge Remanufacturers’ Association: Carbon and Ecodesign of Toner Cartridges Study
European Commission: EMAS Study, ‘75% of cartridges consumed are remanufactured’ (Page 31)
4. What is a remanufactured toner cartridge?
Remanufacturing is a viable alternative to OEM cartridges.
There are many definitions as to what constitutes a remanufactured cartridge versus an OEM; new built compatible cartridges (clones); counterfeits, and refilled products. The most precise definition is that a remanufactured catridge is something that has been re-assembled for use ‘as new’ by adding at least one or more new components.
The focus is on the process of re-assembly. If there is no re-assembly, a cartridge cannot be considered remanufactured. Reassembled can be defined as meaning ‘To fit or join the parts of (something) together again’, or simply, ‘assembled again’. The emphasis here, is on ‘again’, which means the entire cartridge should have been taken apart and fitted or joined together again. In this event, a product is deemed ‘reassembled’. Any other process cannot be deemed to reassemble a cartridge, which by definition typically eliminates clones, counterfeits, and refill operations, whether inkjet or toner cartridges.
5. How big is the remanufacturing industry?
The remanufacturing industry as a whole is only second to HP, the biggest toner cartridge provider in the world.
There are over 10,000 remanufacturers worldwide, employing over 65,000 people. 20%-30% of all cartridges sold worldwide are now remanufactured. The remanufacturing industry is expected to generate annual revenues in the range of USD $7 billion from the sale of remanufactured toner cartridges by 2013 (Source: Lyra Research Report, Aftermarket Share, January 2010).
6. What is the difference between a premium and a standard remanufactured toner cartridge?
A Premium Cartridge (GIT) allows you to have peace of mind knowing that the best workmanship as well as components and materials in the aftermarket have been used.
As stated above, remanufacturing requires that at least one or more new components should have been added. The difference between a premium, a standard and a low quality remanufactured product lies in three distinct areas:
1. The number of new components added to a cartridge
2. The quality of components added to a cartridge
3. The process of remanufacturing
Point 1 is almost self explanatory. A cartridge is made out of many components, most significantly a drum toner combination that determines print quality and reliability. In addition, chip, and primary charge and magnetic rollers are other key qualitative components. In a premium remanufactured product, at least the toner, drum, and chip must have been replaced with new components. In lower standard products drums may have not been replaced and instead the old OEM drum is used again.
The quality of these components is of course instrumental to the print quality, most notably the toner/drum combination. Remanufacturers have the choice between high-quality dedicated toners-which means the toner is designed specifically for each and every model in order to deliver ideal performance-low quality dedicated toners, and generic toners. The generic toner is made to fit many cartridge models, thus reducing optimum performance. As a result, just like lower grade dedicated toners, it may provide a consumer either with a higher print density, but in turn may suffer from lower efficiency, or very low density. In the latter case, the customer may feel printouts are too light. In the first case, printouts will be dark, but in turn the number of pages printed will be lower. In addition, lower efficiency may directly results in excessive toner dust accumulation, wastebin overfilling, leakage and other mid-life cycle failures.
At GIT, we use only the very best available dedicated material from global leaders of the supplies industry. Our R&D people develop the very best possible remanufactured products while not having to factor in the cost of material in product development.
7. What do your R&D people do?
- They develop new high-potential products following market research on printer/cartridge releases by original brands.
- They design a new compatible printer cartridge solution which will guarantee the end user optimum performance and the highest print quality, similar to that of the OEM.
- They carry out in-depth analysis of all the technical performances of the original cartridges. Performances which become benchmarks for the development of GT premium compatible products.
- They evaluate all the cartridge components and find the best component and combination. This allows us to provide a print quality similar to that of the new original cartridge. R&D designs and tests in accordance with STMC guidelines on multiple combinations in order to achieve an optimised component formulation.
- They support production with optimisation of the industrialisation process, throughout the life of the product.
- They anticipate and respond to necessary product modifications required during the course of its life.
- They guarantee the final print quality by supporting all quality teams associated with each stage of production.
- They ensure that each and every product is tested at multiple stages for quality, reliability, and package integrity.
- They conduct relevant product training by ensuring that production staff is continually trained and reviewed against specific performance parameters.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum
8. Are refilling and remanufacturing the same thing?
Refilling is a different low-cost product concept for a different customer segment with modest demands for quality.
A refilled product is typically not re-assembled, but merely opened with varying degrees of professionalism and is refilled with toner powder. No value has been added in the process. In the majority of cases, the toner powder is of lower generic quality. Refilled products typically suffer from low reliability, high failure rates and poor print quality.
9. Is a refilled cartridge bad for me?
No, not necessarily.
For very small businesses and home users-for whom the sole objective is savings, who do not care much about the print quality, and can afford the time to take their empty cartridges to a shop and have them refilled-refilling is a viable option and deserves its own right of existence. It serves a valid market segment but is not fit for use in business environment whether judged by quality standards, product range, or availability.
10. So what are 'clones' and why should I avoid using them?
A ‘clone’ is a cartridge that is brand new, built from counterfeit parts and violates patent laws. You know it is a clone when the price is too good to be true.
A clone is a cartridge made completely of new components, but is not produced by the original printer manufacturer, but rather, by a third party, and sold under a third party brand name. A clone is typically built under violation of patent/design rights of the OEM and with substandard materials. The manufacture, sale, and use of clones is illegal and violates OEM patent/design rights.
The practice of cloning typically occurs in countries with little or no intellectual property protection. Their single purpose is to cheaply reproduce OEM cartridges and exploit the commercial benefit of extensive research and development undergone by the OEM. Clones are produced predominantly in China and exported to other markets and sold under many different short-lived brands. While the import of clones has been severely restricted in advance markets such as the USA and Europe, there is a strong penetration of clones in the regional markets of the Middle East, India and Africa.
Rogue vendors often sell clones under the umbrella of remanufacturing. Their typical trade mark is very low pricing around the USD $20-35 mark for small-frame black cartridges. This is far below the actual manufacturing cost of a premium remanufactured toner cartridge. The European cartridge remanufacturing association, ETIRA, has released a guide on counterfeits and clones.
11. I am confused: what is a counterfeit or fake cartridge?
The definition of a counterfeit is quite clear and in simplicity means a product made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive’. In a legal context, a counterfeit product can imitate design (patent) rights or the name or brand under which a product is sold. Thus, a counterfeit cartridge is either(1) a cartridge that is been produced under violation of registered patents and or design rights (typically clones and refilled or remanufactured cartridges that use components that violate intellectual property rights), and/or (2) is sold under a brand or design that is made to imitate another brand (this could be either a copy of another brand of similar quality or not a copy but designed to be perceived as another brand). Clearly, it is not relevant for the definition of counterfeit whether the cartridge is refilled, remanufactured, compatible or not, new-built or not. Any cartridge that qualifies for (1) or (2) is a counterfeit cartridge.
12. Why does GIT not offer ink cartridges?
Inks cartridges cannot be reliably remanufactured.
While we would love to provide our customers with the convenience of remanufactured ink cartridges, sadly, as stated above, ink cartridges cannot be remanufactured. They are typically closed containers which can only be refilled. Even though some vendors do a relatively good job of processing ink cartridges by professionally draining, flushing, and filling them, it remains in the end, purely a refilling activity. It remains difficult to add value and assure the highest quality in a refilling process. That is why we distance ourselves from refilling ink cartridges, or in fact, refilling any other product.
13. Will the printer life reduce due to using remanufactured cartridges?
There is no conceivable difference between using premium remanufactured and OEM cartridges, provided the remanufacturer uses appropriate components and processes to rebuild the cartridge.
It is unlikely that a toner cartridge will spoil a printer. A cartridge is a self-contained unit and only in rare occasions of total spillage can replaceable printer components, such as the fuser unit or pressure roller, be damaged. However, sub-standard cartridges with a sub-standard parts can reduce the lifespan of your printer.
This may happen particularly with clones. If a drum in a laser cartridge is not replaced, or is of low quality, then it can also reduce the life of a printer. Real damage may occur more frequently while using ink cartridges, since an ink spillage can seriously damage the print head and other crucial parts.
However, in order to give our customers total peace of mind, we offer domestic market end-users a comprehensive warranty covering even printer components. Please refer to warranty questions for more information.
14. What is page yield?
Essentially, page yield is comparable to the average miles per gallon rating in your car, except that it applies to cartridges.
GIT carries the STMC quality certification for its products. As such it follows the STMC definition of page yield. Yield is the estimated number of pages produced at 5% print coverage, as defined in ASTM F 1856 section 11.3. ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally recognised leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. ASTM F 1856 section 11.3. defines yield as follows: ‘The average page yield for the cartridge can be estimated by dividing the total weight of the available toner by the average toner usage per print. The available toner is determined by calculating the difference between the initial toner weight and the remaining toner weight at the end of usable printing. Naturally, yield is different for every printer cartridge.’
STMC view certificate
ASTM F 1856 Standard Practice for Determining Toner Usage for Printer Cartridges
Visit https://www.astm.org/Standards/F1856.htm to learn more.
15. What is the page yield of GT premium toner cartridges?
GT premium toner cartridges offer the same page yield with comparable performance to OEM cartidges.
GIT warrants all GT premium-branded toner cartridges to be of the same page yield as advertised by the OEM at 5% density. Our page yields are mentioned for your convenience on our product pages. For your convenience we have provided you with links to OEM page yields in our Support section. You can conveniently measure and monitor page yield and density in the vast majority of cartridge models released today via the printer status page. In today’s age of technology, yield is a measure we supply for your convenience so you do not have to guess.
16. Can an aftermarket compatible cartridge print fewer pages?
Yes, absolutely.
Page yield is determined by various factors. Most notably it is directly impacted by the amount of toner placed into the toner hopper. If a manufacturer has filled the cartridge with less toner, your page count will drop. However, and more commonly, page yield is also a result of the quality of the toner and its efficiency in combination with the OPC drum used in the cartridge. The lower the quality and the lower the efficiency, the more toner will be used while printing. The result is simple: fewer the pages are printed. As a rule of thumb, lower-priced cartridges (low or standard remanufactured, refilled cartridges, and clones) typically use lower-priced, inefficient generic toners made to fit different models. Paired with a lower drum quality, they result in decreased page yield. You may lose anywhere from 20%-60% of the promised page yield by using sub-standard clone/refilled/remanufactured toner cartridges. Make sure you use a STMC-accredited premium remanufacturer with relevant product quality certifications. GIT is STMC registered on the US based International Imaging Technology Council’s website.
STMC view certificate
Visit to view German Imaging Technologies (GIT)’s registration.
17. What is chip technology and how does it impact me?
The chip provides you with information and comfort functions but does not impact printing.
In recent years, most toner cartridges have been fitted with a chip designed to provide certain user information and settings. The chips used in the toner industry have become more technically demanding. Today, OEM printer manufacturers use the most advanced ASIC chips (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and the most modern software. Using these chips’ critical printer functions such as identifying the toner cartridge, level indicators, toner-empty indicator, instructions, information and warnings can be monitored and controlled. The user is constantly informed of the status of the printer and toner cartridge.
In practice, OEM manufacturers use so-called firmware updates and chips. Such chips are not capable of ‘learning’ which could cause compatibility problems. For this reason, we use only new chips that are capable of ‘learning’ and free from any patent protection. Our chips are already assembled in the toner cartridge. This means that there is no need to adjust or reset them. Practically, there is no difference in functionality between the chips we use and those used by original manufacturers.
Certain characteristics such as density can be changed by the user on the printer menu at any time. For this reason, GIT-chips have the same essential capabilities as OEM chips, without any loss of functionality.
Quality has its price. On the market, you can find cartridges without toner chips, chips from Asia unprotected by patents, or cartridges without recesses for chips. This usually leads to functionality loss, and annoyance for the use
18. Is the GT Premium cartridge different to the OEM?
Yes, absolutely.
While not all OEMs are equally good, HP in particular, is the best. HP and its technology partner Canon are the global leaders in laser printing technology. So if you want to have and pay for the best, you should continue buying HP. However, if you intend to save substantial amounts of money, obtain better service, and at the same time help the environment by using remanufactured cartridges, our cartridges offer you a viable product alternative to the OEM with high print-quality and reliability. Our claim is not to be the best overall, but among the very best in the aftermarket for premium remanufactured cartridges.
19. What is GIT's return rate on premium remanufactured cartridges?
Customer return rate Monochrome cartridges < 0,8% Customer return rate Color cartridges <2.8 %.
20. Can I currently buy a toner cartridge that is significantly cheaper than GIT cartridges?
Well, in cartridges, as in life, you get what you pay for.
For the domestic market, we have a pricing chart ready for you. We have looked at the average sales prices for monochrome cartridges. Here are our findings for a basket of small and large frame toner cartridges:
- HP OEM – AED 280 (USD 75)
- HP Fake – AED 260 (USD 70)
- GT Premium – AED 220 (USD 60)
- Standard remanufactured – AED 140-180 (USD 40-50)
- Clones (Chinese new built branded and sold as remanufactured) – AED 60-120 (USD 15-30)
- Refilled – AED 40-60 (USD 12-15)
With the exception of illegal counterfeit cartridges which are designed to exploit the OEM’s trade mark by pretending to be OEM, the price difference is justified by the quality of the product. As described above many factors determine the quality, most notably the components used and the actual remanufacturing process. The low price of refilled and low or standard remanufactured cartridges is clearly due to the components and the process. Chinese clones (new builds) are brand new cartridges built with illegal and low standard shell and components resulting in their low price. In life is you get what you pay for. When you weigh your options you know that if you buy at low cost you will definitely suffer from quality and reliability and jeopardise yourself by using potentially illegal products.
21. How can I avoid buying an illegal clone / new built cartridge?
Practically, it is very difficult for a consumer to tell the difference.
Clones / new built cartridges, typically produced in China, are naturally not marked as ‘Made in China’ or ‘Clone’. Since these products are illegal, they try to conceal their origin. Most commonly, they are sold under a large varying number of local brands falsly claiming to have been remanufactured locally.
There are however common charachteristics that help you identify an illegal clone:
- A low price range of AED 60-120 (USD 15-30)
- Low quality packaging
- No clear identification of their origin, i.e. ‘Made in …’
- Brand new looking cartridge with no marks of previous use, i.e. scratches
- Not STMC certified;
The safest way to determine however, whether you are using a locally remanufactured product, is to visit your vendor. Particularly if you are using regularly larger quantities, the effort is worth it and prevents you from implicating yourself in the use of illegal products.
22. Does the kind of paper I use affect the print quality?
Paper plays a big role in print quality and the reliability of your cartridge, OEM or not.
Paper quality has a huge impact on print quality. The weight, shade, structure, and roughness of your paper all have an impact. In fact, rough paper can create so much paper dust inside the cartridge that it can lead to mid-life cycle failures, particularly in high yield cartridges. You will see lines on the side of your printout and eventually experience leakage due to paper dust accumulation below the wiper blade. Overly glossy (shiny and smooth) paper may result in bonding problems. As a result, toner may wipe out.
Of course you must select the paper type from your print command screen when you work with glossy paper, but there are limitations to the capability of a laser printer to correct the wrong paper type used. So one should be wary of very low-priced rough paper and with very shiny glossy paper. You will yield the best results if you use the paper that has been formulated for your type of printer.
23. What certification does GIT have?
GIT hold two certifications: ISO 9001:2008 and STMC. While the first refers to a quality management system the second is specific to product quality.
Our ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System certificate
Visit https://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=46486
To learn more about GIT’s STMC Certified Manufacturing Group status, please examine our certificate.
Service
1. What products and services does GIT sell?
GIT offers you everything to ensure you can print-everything that is, but the paper.
GIT offers a variety of products, services and solutions to serve customers’ needs in workspace printing. While GIT’s core business is the remanufacture of premium compatible toner cartridges, other products and services include:
• Print equipment service and maintenance
• HP LaserJet printers and multifunction devices
• Managed Print Services
2. How much can I save with GIT?
Between 15% and 25%
Your savings entirely depend on your consumption volumes and ordering patterns. If you order 1-2 cartridges at a time, your savings will be in the range of 15%-20%. If you are consuming and ordering higher volumes, your savings may go up to 20%-25% versus the prevailing OEM market rates. It is however, not uncommon for very large consumers on an enterprise or government level to save even more. We would be delighted to let you know what you could save if you can provide us with your consumption figures.
The cartridge price is however not the only way you can save with GIT. You can also save money on the maintenance of your equipment if you opt for our services (for more information please look under ‘Service’). Additionally you can save on cost by saving time. If your printer, the service and the consumables are all provided by one supplier, you save considerable time, effort and cost compared to what you would spend in sourcing different partners for different tasks.
3. How else do I benefit from using GIT's premium toner cartridges?
Reduce; reuse; recycle – using our cartridges helps you do all three.
Using GIT toner cartridges also helps protect the environment by keeping toxic substances out of landfills and conserving natural resources. Please refer to the website’s section on Sustainability and Environment for more information.
For details on how much you can improve your carbon footprint look here: UKCRA – UK Cartridge Remanufacturers’ Association: Carbon and Ecodesign of Toner Cartridges Study
European Commission: EMAS Study, ‘75% of cartridges consumed are remanufactured’ (Page 31)
4. What is a remanufactured toner cartridge?
Remanufacturing is a viable alternative to OEM cartridges.
There are many definitions as to what constitutes a remanufactured cartridge versus an OEM; new built compatible cartridges (clones); counterfeits, and refilled products. The most precise definition is that a remanufactured catridge is something that has been re-assembled for use ‘as new’ by adding at least one or more new components.
The focus is on the process of re-assembly. If there is no re-assembly, a cartridge cannot be considered remanufactured. Reassembled can be defined as meaning ‘To fit or join the parts of (something) together again’, or simply, ‘assembled again’. The emphasis here, is on ‘again’, which means the entire cartridge should have been taken apart and fitted or joined together again. In this event, a product is deemed ‘reassembled’. Any other process cannot be deemed to reassemble a cartridge, which by definition typically eliminates clones, counterfeits, and refill operations, whether inkjet or toner cartridges.
5. How big is the remanufacturing industry?
The remanufacturing industry as a whole is only second to HP, the biggest toner cartridge provider in the world.
There are over 10,000 remanufacturers worldwide, employing over 65,000 people. 20%-30% of all cartridges sold worldwide are now remanufactured. The remanufacturing industry is expected to generate annual revenues in the range of USD $7 billion from the sale of remanufactured toner cartridges by 2013 (Source: Lyra Research Report, Aftermarket Share, January 2010).
6. What is the difference between a premium and a standard remanufactured toner cartridge?
A Premium Cartridge (GIT) allows you to have peace of mind knowing that the best workmanship as well as components and materials in the aftermarket have been used.
As stated above, remanufacturing requires that at least one or more new components should have been added. The difference between a premium, a standard and a low quality remanufactured product lies in three distinct areas:
1. The number of new components added to a cartridge
2. The quality of components added to a cartridge
3. The process of remanufacturing
Point 1 is almost self explanatory. A cartridge is made out of many components, most significantly a drum toner combination that determines print quality and reliability. In addition, chip, and primary charge and magnetic rollers are other key qualitative components. In a premium remanufactured product, at least the toner, drum, and chip must have been replaced with new components. In lower standard products drums may have not been replaced and instead the old OEM drum is used again.
The quality of these components is of course instrumental to the print quality, most notably the toner/drum combination. Remanufacturers have the choice between high-quality dedicated toners-which means the toner is designed specifically for each and every model in order to deliver ideal performance-low quality dedicated toners, and generic toners. The generic toner is made to fit many cartridge models, thus reducing optimum performance. As a result, just like lower grade dedicated toners, it may provide a consumer either with a higher print density, but in turn may suffer from lower efficiency, or very low density. In the latter case, the customer may feel printouts are too light. In the first case, printouts will be dark, but in turn the number of pages printed will be lower. In addition, lower efficiency may directly results in excessive toner dust accumulation, wastebin overfilling, leakage and other mid-life cycle failures.
At GIT, we use only the very best available dedicated material from global leaders of the supplies industry. Our R&D people develop the very best possible remanufactured products while not having to factor in the cost of material in product development.
7. What do your R&D people do?
- They develop new high-potential products following market research on printer/cartridge releases by original brands.
- They design a new compatible printer cartridge solution which will guarantee the end user optimum performance and the highest print quality, similar to that of the OEM.
- They carry out in-depth analysis of all the technical performances of the original cartridges. Performances which become benchmarks for the development of GT premium compatible products.
- They evaluate all the cartridge components and find the best component and combination. This allows us to provide a print quality similar to that of the new original cartridge. R&D designs and tests in accordance with STMC guidelines on multiple combinations in order to achieve an optimised component formulation.
- They support production with optimisation of the industrialisation process, throughout the life of the product.
- They anticipate and respond to necessary product modifications required during the course of its life.
- They guarantee the final print quality by supporting all quality teams associated with each stage of production.
- They ensure that each and every product is tested at multiple stages for quality, reliability, and package integrity.
- They conduct relevant product training by ensuring that production staff is continually trained and reviewed against specific performance parameters.
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8. Are refilling and remanufacturing the same thing?
Refilling is a different low-cost product concept for a different customer segment with modest demands for quality.
A refilled product is typically not re-assembled, but merely opened with varying degrees of professionalism and is refilled with toner powder. No value has been added in the process. In the majority of cases, the toner powder is of lower generic quality. Refilled products typically suffer from low reliability, high failure rates and poor print quality.
9. Is a refilled cartridge bad for me?
No, not necessarily.
For very small businesses and home users-for whom the sole objective is savings, who do not care much about the print quality, and can afford the time to take their empty cartridges to a shop and have them refilled-refilling is a viable option and deserves its own right of existence. It serves a valid market segment but is not fit for use in business environment whether judged by quality standards, product range, or availability.
10. So what are 'clones' and why should I avoid using them?
A ‘clone’ is a cartridge that is brand new, built from counterfeit parts and violates patent laws. You know it is a clone when the price is too good to be true.
A clone is a cartridge made completely of new components, but is not produced by the original printer manufacturer, but rather, by a third party, and sold under a third party brand name. A clone is typically built under violation of patent/design rights of the OEM and with substandard materials. The manufacture, sale, and use of clones is illegal and violates OEM patent/design rights.
The practice of cloning typically occurs in countries with little or no intellectual property protection. Their single purpose is to cheaply reproduce OEM cartridges and exploit the commercial benefit of extensive research and development undergone by the OEM. Clones are produced predominantly in China and exported to other markets and sold under many different short-lived brands. While the import of clones has been severely restricted in advance markets such as the USA and Europe, there is a strong penetration of clones in the regional markets of the Middle East, India and Africa.
Rogue vendors often sell clones under the umbrella of remanufacturing. Their typical trade mark is very low pricing around the USD $20-35 mark for small-frame black cartridges. This is far below the actual manufacturing cost of a premium remanufactured toner cartridge. The European cartridge remanufacturing association, ETIRA, has released a guide on counterfeits and clones.
11. I am confused: what is a counterfeit or fake cartridge?
The definition of a counterfeit is quite clear and in simplicity means a product made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive’. In a legal context, a counterfeit product can imitate design (patent) rights or the name or brand under which a product is sold. Thus, a counterfeit cartridge is either(1) a cartridge that is been produced under violation of registered patents and or design rights (typically clones and refilled or remanufactured cartridges that use components that violate intellectual property rights), and/or (2) is sold under a brand or design that is made to imitate another brand (this could be either a copy of another brand of similar quality or not a copy but designed to be perceived as another brand). Clearly, it is not relevant for the definition of counterfeit whether the cartridge is refilled, remanufactured, compatible or not, new-built or not. Any cartridge that qualifies for (1) or (2) is a counterfeit cartridge.
12. Why does GIT not offer ink cartridges?
Inks cartridges cannot be reliably remanufactured.
While we would love to provide our customers with the convenience of remanufactured ink cartridges, sadly, as stated above, ink cartridges cannot be remanufactured. They are typically closed containers which can only be refilled. Even though some vendors do a relatively good job of processing ink cartridges by professionally draining, flushing, and filling them, it remains in the end, purely a refilling activity. It remains difficult to add value and assure the highest quality in a refilling process. That is why we distance ourselves from refilling ink cartridges, or in fact, refilling any other product.
13. Will the printer life reduce due to using remanufactured cartridges?
There is no conceivable difference between using premium remanufactured and OEM cartridges, provided the remanufacturer uses appropriate components and processes to rebuild the cartridge.
It is unlikely that a toner cartridge will spoil a printer. A cartridge is a self-contained unit and only in rare occasions of total spillage can replaceable printer components, such as the fuser unit or pressure roller, be damaged. However, sub-standard cartridges with a sub-standard parts can reduce the lifespan of your printer.
This may happen particularly with clones. If a drum in a laser cartridge is not replaced, or is of low quality, then it can also reduce the life of a printer. Real damage may occur more frequently while using ink cartridges, since an ink spillage can seriously damage the print head and other crucial parts.
However, in order to give our customers total peace of mind, we offer domestic market end-users a comprehensive warranty covering even printer components. Please refer to warranty questions for more information.
14. What is page yield?
Essentially, page yield is comparable to the average miles per gallon rating in your car, except that it applies to cartridges.
GIT carries the STMC quality certification for its products. As such it follows the STMC definition of page yield. Yield is the estimated number of pages produced at 5% print coverage, as defined in ASTM F 1856 section 11.3. ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally recognised leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. ASTM F 1856 section 11.3. defines yield as follows: ‘The average page yield for the cartridge can be estimated by dividing the total weight of the available toner by the average toner usage per print. The available toner is determined by calculating the difference between the initial toner weight and the remaining toner weight at the end of usable printing. Naturally, yield is different for every printer cartridge.’
STMC view certificate
ASTM F 1856 Standard Practice for Determining Toner Usage for Printer Cartridges
Visit https://www.astm.org/Standards/F1856.htm to learn more.
15. What is the page yield of GT premium toner cartridges?
GT premium toner cartridges offer the same page yield with comparable performance to OEM cartidges.
GIT warrants all GT premium-branded toner cartridges to be of the same page yield as advertised by the OEM at 5% density. Our page yields are mentioned for your convenience on our product pages. For your convenience we have provided you with links to OEM page yields in our Support section. You can conveniently measure and monitor page yield and density in the vast majority of cartridge models released today via the printer status page. In today’s age of technology, yield is a measure we supply for your convenience so you do not have to guess.
16. Can an aftermarket compatible cartridge print fewer pages?
Yes, absolutely.
Page yield is determined by various factors. Most notably it is directly impacted by the amount of toner placed into the toner hopper. If a manufacturer has filled the cartridge with less toner, your page count will drop. However, and more commonly, page yield is also a result of the quality of the toner and its efficiency in combination with the OPC drum used in the cartridge. The lower the quality and the lower the efficiency, the more toner will be used while printing. The result is simple: fewer the pages are printed. As a rule of thumb, lower-priced cartridges (low or standard remanufactured, refilled cartridges, and clones) typically use lower-priced, inefficient generic toners made to fit different models. Paired with a lower drum quality, they result in decreased page yield. You may lose anywhere from 20%-60% of the promised page yield by using sub-standard clone/refilled/remanufactured toner cartridges. Make sure you use a STMC-accredited premium remanufacturer with relevant product quality certifications. GIT is STMC registered on the US based International Imaging Technology Council’s website.
STMC view certificate
Visit to view German Imaging Technologies (GIT)’s registration.
17. What is chip technology and how does it impact me?
The chip provides you with information and comfort functions but does not impact printing.
In recent years, most toner cartridges have been fitted with a chip designed to provide certain user information and settings. The chips used in the toner industry have become more technically demanding. Today, OEM printer manufacturers use the most advanced ASIC chips (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and the most modern software. Using these chips’ critical printer functions such as identifying the toner cartridge, level indicators, toner-empty indicator, instructions, information and warnings can be monitored and controlled. The user is constantly informed of the status of the printer and toner cartridge.
In practice, OEM manufacturers use so-called firmware updates and chips. Such chips are not capable of ‘learning’ which could cause compatibility problems. For this reason, we use only new chips that are capable of ‘learning’ and free from any patent protection. Our chips are already assembled in the toner cartridge. This means that there is no need to adjust or reset them. Practically, there is no difference in functionality between the chips we use and those used by original manufacturers.
Certain characteristics such as density can be changed by the user on the printer menu at any time. For this reason, GIT-chips have the same essential capabilities as OEM chips, without any loss of functionality.
Quality has its price. On the market, you can find cartridges without toner chips, chips from Asia unprotected by patents, or cartridges without recesses for chips. This usually leads to functionality loss, and annoyance for the use
18. Is the GT Premium cartridge different to the OEM?
Yes, absolutely.
While not all OEMs are equally good, HP in particular, is the best. HP and its technology partner Canon are the global leaders in laser printing technology. So if you want to have and pay for the best, you should continue buying HP. However, if you intend to save substantial amounts of money, obtain better service, and at the same time help the environment by using remanufactured cartridges, our cartridges offer you a viable product alternative to the OEM with high print-quality and reliability. Our claim is not to be the best overall, but among the very best in the aftermarket for premium remanufactured cartridges.
19. What is GIT's return rate on premium remanufactured cartridges?
Customer return rate Monochrome cartridges < 0,8% Customer return rate Color cartridges <2.8 %.
20. Can I currently buy a toner cartridge that is significantly cheaper than GIT cartridges?
Well, in cartridges, as in life, you get what you pay for.
For the domestic market, we have a pricing chart ready for you. We have looked at the average sales prices for monochrome cartridges. Here are our findings for a basket of small and large frame toner cartridges:
- HP OEM – AED 280 (USD 75)
- HP Fake – AED 260 (USD 70)
- GT Premium – AED 220 (USD 60)
- Standard remanufactured – AED 140-180 (USD 40-50)
- Clones (Chinese new built branded and sold as remanufactured) – AED 60-120 (USD 15-30)
- Refilled – AED 40-60 (USD 12-15)
With the exception of illegal counterfeit cartridges which are designed to exploit the OEM’s trade mark by pretending to be OEM, the price difference is justified by the quality of the product. As described above many factors determine the quality, most notably the components used and the actual remanufacturing process. The low price of refilled and low or standard remanufactured cartridges is clearly due to the components and the process. Chinese clones (new builds) are brand new cartridges built with illegal and low standard shell and components resulting in their low price. In life is you get what you pay for. When you weigh your options you know that if you buy at low cost you will definitely suffer from quality and reliability and jeopardise yourself by using potentially illegal products.
21. How can I avoid buying an illegal clone / new built cartridge?
Practically, it is very difficult for a consumer to tell the difference.
Clones / new built cartridges, typically produced in China, are naturally not marked as ‘Made in China’ or ‘Clone’. Since these products are illegal, they try to conceal their origin. Most commonly, they are sold under a large varying number of local brands falsly claiming to have been remanufactured locally.
There are however common charachteristics that help you identify an illegal clone:
- A low price range of AED 60-120 (USD 15-30)
- Low quality packaging
- No clear identification of their origin, i.e. ‘Made in …’
- Brand new looking cartridge with no marks of previous use, i.e. scratches
- Not STMC certified;
The safest way to determine however, whether you are using a locally remanufactured product, is to visit your vendor. Particularly if you are using regularly larger quantities, the effort is worth it and prevents you from implicating yourself in the use of illegal products.
22. Does the kind of paper I use affect the print quality?
Paper plays a big role in print quality and the reliability of your cartridge, OEM or not.
Paper quality has a huge impact on print quality. The weight, shade, structure, and roughness of your paper all have an impact. In fact, rough paper can create so much paper dust inside the cartridge that it can lead to mid-life cycle failures, particularly in high yield cartridges. You will see lines on the side of your printout and eventually experience leakage due to paper dust accumulation below the wiper blade. Overly glossy (shiny and smooth) paper may result in bonding problems. As a result, toner may wipe out.
Of course you must select the paper type from your print command screen when you work with glossy paper, but there are limitations to the capability of a laser printer to correct the wrong paper type used. So one should be wary of very low-priced rough paper and with very shiny glossy paper. You will yield the best results if you use the paper that has been formulated for your type of printer.
23. What certification does GIT have?
GIT hold two certifications: ISO 9001:2008 and STMC. While the first refers to a quality management system the second is specific to product quality.
Our ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System certificate
Visit https://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=46486
To learn more about GIT’s STMC Certified Manufacturing Group status, please examine our certificate.