IU612C, A0TK0KD

What is an image drum?
An imaging drum is a part inside a printer or photocopier that creates the image to be printed. It does this by using a special surface that has areas with different electric charges. These areas attract or repel a special kind of ink called toner, which is then transferred onto paper to create the final printed image. It may also be referred to as an imaging unit or a photoconductor unit.

What is the difference between a toner cartridge and a drum unit?
A toner cartridge is a container that holds the ink powder called toner. The drum unit, on the other hand, is a part of the printer that takes the toner powder from the cartridge and puts it onto paper to make words and pictures. Think of it like the toner cartridge is the ink, and the drum is the part of the printer that puts the ink onto the paper. Without either one, the printer wouldn't be able to make any prints.

Why, when and how often do does an imaging drum need to be replaced?
Some printers and copiers have a single unit that holds both the ink powder (toner) and the part that puts the ink onto paper (drum). Other printers have separate parts for the toner and the drum. In this case, you have to replace the drum separately from the toner when it wears out. The drum usually lasts longer than the toner cartridge, and you may need to replace it after using 2-3 toner cartridges, depending on how much you print. Your printer should let you know when it's time to replace the drum, but you can also tell if it needs to be replaced if you see black spots or lines on your printed pages. As a general rule, you should always replace your drum unit after using three to four toner cartridges just to be safe.

What can I do to extend the life of my imaging drum?
To make your imaging drum last longer and keep it clean, you can clean the corona wire or LED heads from time to time. This is usually done by sliding a plastic piece attached to the corona wire back and forth a few times, or by using a cleaning stick under the drum. For example, on some Brother machines, you can slide the plastic piece attached to the corona wire back and forth, while on Xerox machines, you can use a cleaning stick under the drum. Doing this occasionally can help extend the life of your imaging drum.

Do I need to do any reset after installing a new imaging drum? 
After installing a new imaging drum, you may or may not need to do a reset. Some drums don't require any resetting at all, while others need to be reset. If you don't reset your drum, your printer may display a message saying you need to replace the drum unit and may not work correctly. Resetting the drum simply means resetting the counter so that your printer knows to give you a notification when it's time to replace the next drum unit.