Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this black cartridge suited to archive printing?

Archive work is about permanence and volume: files that get printed once and kept for years. The TN331 black is rated at 2,500 pages, and at $31.33 that works out to roughly 1.25 cents per page — cheap enough that reprinting a full client file or a year of statements is a routine cost, not a decision.

Will it run in my machine?

Yes — it is the black cartridge for the TN331 family used by the MFC-L8650 and its relatives: HL-L8250CDN, HL-L8350CDW, HL-L8350CDWT and MFC-L8600CDW. The cartridge code to match on your current unit is TN331BK.

How does the page cost compare with the color cartridges in this family?

Black is the economical side of this platform. The cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges are rated at 1,500 pages and cost $32.86 each (about 2.19 cents per page), while this black delivers 2,500 pages for $31.33. Document-heavy users feel that difference every month, which is why black is usually the cartridge an MFC-L8650 desk orders most often.

Should an archive-heavy office consider the TN336 black instead?

TN336 is the high-yield sibling, rated at 4,000 pages in black. If your MFC-L8650 prints archive volume daily, the longer cartridge means fewer changes. If your printing comes in bursts — end-of-month files, project binders — the TN331's standard yield at this price is usually the better fit, and a spare on the shelf covers the gaps.

Do I have to replace the colors when I replace the black?

No. Each cartridge in the TN331 family is a separate unit and is replaced only when it runs out. An archive desk may go through two or three blacks before a color needs attention, especially if color work is occasional.

What if the cartridge arrives faulty or print quality is poor?

It is covered by a 1-year warranty and 1-year free returns — see the shipping & returns policy for the details. We dispatch from IL, PA, GA and CA, and our support team (9 AM–5 PM CST) can help you check whether a quality issue is the cartridge or the drum before you send anything back.

About This TN331 Black Cartridge for the MFC-L8650

For an MFC-L8650 that spends its life printing documents worth keeping, the TN331 black cartridge is the workhorse consumable: 2,500 rated pages at about 1.25 cents each, swapped independently of the colors so you only ever pay for the toner you actually use. Keep one spare in the drawer and an archive run never has to pause mid-file; when the whole machine eventually needs a refresh, the matched four-color set brings all four cartridges back to full in one order.