Frequently Asked Questions

Before I open the box, how do I make sure this is the cartridge my printer needs?

Compare numbers, not pictures. Pull the black cartridge from your machine for a moment and read its label: if it says TK897K, this single cartridge at $111.02 is the correct replacement. The check takes under a minute and settles the question completely.

Is a compatible cartridge any harder to install than the original?

No — the routine is identical. Open the machine, slide the spent unit out, seat the new TK897K until it clicks into place, and close up. No tools, no settings to change, and the printer returns to ready by itself.

Which printers is this single cartridge made for?

The FS-C8520MFP, FS-C8525MFP, TASKalfa 205c and TASKalfa 255. If one of those sits in your office and its supply screen asks for TK897K, this is the black cartridge it is asking for.

Roughly how many pages should I expect from one cartridge?

The published rating is 12,000 pages at ordinary document coverage. Everyday office printing lands reasonably near it; pages packed with charts, shading or photographs spend toner faster and shorten the run.

My first prints look faint — does that mean the cartridge is bad?

Usually not. Remove the cartridge and rock it gently side to side a few times to redistribute the toner, reseat it firmly, and check that the machine's toner-saver or eco mode is off. Faint output after those steps is worth a call to support.

What if this cartridge turns out to be faulty?

It is backed by a 1-year warranty with free returns for a year. Support is reachable Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST, and orders ship from warehouses in IL, PA, GA and CA. Return steps and delivery details are on the shipping and returns page.

What does this cartridge work out to per page?

At $111.02 for a cartridge rated at 12,000 pages, the TK897K comes to roughly 0.93 cents per page at standard document coverage. That is the honest planning number for everyday office work — letters, invoices and reports sit close to it. Pages carrying charts, shaded tables or photo content spend toner faster and cost more per sheet, while plain text runs cheaper. If you track the machine's page counter between cartridge changes, you can replace the estimate with your own office's real figure within one cartridge cycle.

When is the right moment to order the next single cartridge?

At the first low-toner warning, not at the first faded page. The warning arrives while a working reserve remains in the TK897K, and orders ship from our warehouses in IL, PA, GA and CA, so ordering at the warning normally lands the replacement before the old cartridge actually gives out. Waiting until output visibly fades means the busiest day of the month decides your deadline. Offices that print color-critical work often order even earlier, the moment the supply screen shows the black trending low.

If I buy this cartridge ahead of time, how long can it wait on the shelf?

A sealed TK897K waits patiently. Keep it in its box, flat, in a dry cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat, and it will be in full condition when the current cartridge finally empties — toner is a dry powder and does not dry out or settle into uselessness the way liquid ink can. Before fitting a cartridge that has sat for a long stretch, rock it gently side to side to level the toner inside, then install it exactly as you would a fresh delivery.

How should I dispose of the spent cartridge after the swap?

First, keep it for a few days. If the new cartridge prints cleanly across your normal work, the old unit has served its purpose and can go out through local recycling or your office waste stream — dropping it back into the new cartridge's carton keeps any residual toner dust contained. If the replacement disappoints early, hold on to the spent TK897K while you speak to support, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST, so the comparison is available during the conversation.

About This Cartridge

One compatible Kyocera-Mita TK897K black toner cartridge, $111.02, for the FS-C8520MFP, FS-C8525MFP, TASKalfa 205c and TASKalfa 255 — the straightforward single replacement, rated at 12,000 pages, that installs exactly like the original and is covered by a 1-year warranty and 1-year free returns.