FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

NorthStar Toner is your source for high-quality, eco-friendly, American-made remanufactured toner cartridges. We help you save money while supporting American jobs and reducing landfill waste.

No — our cartridges are remanufactured OEM cartridges. That means we take empty original-brand cartridges (like HP, Canon, or Brother), professionally refurbish them with new internal components, and rigorously test them to meet or exceed OEM performance.

Disclaimer: All brand names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. They are used here solely for descriptive and compatibility purposes. Our products are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the original manufacturers.

Remanufactured cartridges start as original brand (OEM) cartridges that have been professionally cleaned, rebuilt with new components, and tested to ensure quality and reliability. Generic compatible cartridges, on the other hand, are newly built using all non-OEM parts — often overseas — and are typically designed for single use. Remanufactured cartridges are more reliable, higher quality, and environmentally friendly because they reuse OEM shells instead of adding more plastic to the waste stream.

Remanufactured cartridges are original OEM cartridges that have been professionally cleaned, rebuilt with new components, and rigorously tested to meet or exceed original quality and performance standards.

While generic compatibles may seem like a cheap alternative, they often come with hidden costs. These cartridges are usually mass-produced overseas using low-quality components and are designed for single use. That means poor print quality, higher failure rates, and more waste going into landfills. Worse, they’re not built to be remanufactured, which limits recycling options. Our remanufactured OEM cartridges offer better performance, lower environmental impact, and long-term savings.

We specialize in laser toner because it’s the better option for business printing — lower cost per page, higher yield, and fewer replacements. Inkjet cartridges tend to dry out quickly and create more waste. Our focus is on eco-friendly, high-performance toner solutions.

You can use the search bar at the top of our site and type in your printer model (e.g., “HP LaserJet Pro M404”). Still need help? Our live chat is available to assist you — just click the chat icon. You can also contact us directly if you have any questions — we’re happy to help you find the right fit.

Some toner cartridges include a microchip that communicates with your printer to monitor toner levels and authenticate the cartridge. When required, our remanufactured cartridges include a new compatible chip that allows full functionality with your printer — including page tracking and low toner alerts. If your printer displays a message after installation, check our support tips or contact us for help — it’s often just a simple reset or acknowledgement step.

This is a common message with remanufactured cartridges that include a new chip. Don’t worry — the cartridge should still function properly. In most cases, this message appears because the printer is expecting the original OEM chip. You can usually bypass the warning by selecting "OK" or "Continue" on your printer screen. If you're unsure, check our troubleshooting tips or contact us — we're happy to help get you up and running quickly.

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and other secure payment options available through our checkout.

Yes! Right now, we’re offering free shipping on all orders — no minimum required. It’s our way of making it easier for you to switch to sustainable, American-made toner.

We ship quickly! Most orders ship within 1–2 business days from our facility in Illinois. Transit time varies based on your location, but most customers receive their order in 2–4 business days.

Yes, we ship across the continental United States.

Yes! All of our cartridges come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with the print quality or performance, let us know — we’ll replace it or refund you.

We stand behind our products. If you have any issues, reach out to us and we’ll make it right with a replacement or refund — no hassle.

Yes, as long as the cartridge is unopened and in original condition, we’ll gladly accept returns. Just contact us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll walk you through the return process.

Yes — but returning your empty cartridges is completely optional. Our recycling program is a free, extra service we offer to help reduce waste and promote sustainability. You can send empties back to us at your own cost anytime, or if you collect at least 6 empty cartridges and pack them together, we’ll provide a prepaid return label to make it even easier (and greener).

We only accept OEM (original brand) cartridges for remanufacturing. Most overseas-produced generic compatibles are single-use designs that are not built to be remanufactured. They often lack the durability and quality needed for reuse, and many end up in landfills. By focusing on OEM cores, we ensure a truly sustainable recycling process.

Yes! Our remanufactured toner cartridges are TAA compliant, which makes them eligible for federal procurement. While we’re not currently on the GSA schedule, federal buyers can still order from us through open market purchases, micro-purchases, or with a government purchase card. Contact us if you need help with documentation or compliance.

Yes! We love working with businesses, schools, and organizations. Contact us for volume pricing and customized solutions.

We’re working on adding subscription options soon. In the meantime, contact us if you'd like help managing regular orders.

If you don't see your toner cartridge listed, please contact us! We would be happy to search our full supply network for you and help find exactly what you need.

We’re here to help!
📧 Email us at support@northstartoner.com
📞 Call us at (331) 757-5815
Or message us directly through our Contact Us page.