Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly arrives in this four-color set?

Four cartridges, one for each station in the machine: TK897K in black, TK897C in cyan, TK897M in magenta and TK897Y in yellow. Ordering the set renews the whole color system in one delivery instead of tracking four separate purchases as each color runs down on its own schedule.

Why is the black rated at 12,000 pages while the colors are 6,000?

That split is how this cartridge family is rated: the black TK897K carries a 12,000-page rating and each color cartridge is rated at 6,000 pages. In practice the black does the bulk of everyday text work, so the higher rating matches how these machines are actually used. Both figures are standard test-page ratings, and real life varies with page coverage.

Which machines does this set feed?

It is made for the FS-C8520MFP, and the same TK897 family also serves the FS-C8525MFP, the TASKalfa 205c and the TASKalfa 255. If your office runs more than one of those models, a single cartridge type covers the whole fleet, which keeps the supply cupboard simple.

Do all four cartridges have to be installed on the same day?

No. Each one is sealed separately, so you can fit only the color the machine is asking for and leave the rest boxed. Many offices swap the full set when several colors are low together, then go back to replacing individually. Sealed cartridges keep well in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

What should the first pages look like after a full set change?

Even and clean across all four colors. If one band looks weak on the first test pages, take that cartridge out, rock it gently from side to side to level the toner, and reseat it firmly. If it is still uneven after a short run, contact us while the cartridge is still near full so we can help.

What cover comes with the set?

Every cartridge in the set is backed by a 1-year warranty and 1-year free returns. Support is available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST if anything arrives damaged or underperforms early.

Which station in the set is likely to ask for a replacement first?

It depends on the work, but the ratings frame the race: the TK897K black is rated at 12,000 pages and each color at 6,000, so a color station can complete two full cycles in the time the black completes one. In a text-heavy office the black still does most of the printing and may empty first in practice; in a color-heavy office one of the TK897C, TK897M or TK897Y cartridges will almost certainly call first. Watching which station flags first after a full set change tells you how your machine really consumes toner.

Can this one set serve two different machines in the same office?

Yes. The FS-C8520MFP, FS-C8525MFP, TASKalfa 205c and TASKalfa 255 all run the same TK897 family, so a set bought for one machine is equally valid stock for another. Offices running two of these models often hold a single shared set in one cupboard and fit whichever cartridge the needier machine asks for, rather than keeping separate supplies per device. The only discipline required is checking the code on the box against the station that is calling.

What should I do with the four empty cartridges once they are swapped out?

Keep each spent cartridge until its replacement has printed cleanly for a few days — that way, if a fault appears, you still have the old unit on hand while you talk to support. After that, empty toner cartridges can go out through your local recycling or office-waste stream; toner is a dry powder, so a sealed spent unit is not messy to handle. Dropping the empties back into their cartons keeps the cupboard tidy and prevents toner dust escaping.

When one color from the set runs out months later, should I order another set or a single?

Usually a single. The stations empty on independent schedules, so the color that runs out first — say the TK897M — can be replaced on its own while the other three cartridges from this set still have life left. A fresh four-color set makes sense again only when several stations are low together, or when you want to restore the whole color system in one pass as you did with this order.

About This Kyocera TK897 Four-Color Set

Priced at $306.37, this is the one-order refresh for a machine that is running low across the board: TK897K, TK897C, TK897M and TK897Y together, ready to go in as a matched group or one at a time as each station calls for it. Orders ship from our warehouses in IL, PA, GA and CA, and delivery and returns details are on our shipping & returns page. The wider Kyocera-Mita range is on our site if the same office runs other models too.