Frequently Asked Questions

Why do our reds look orange and skin tones look off?

Magenta is the color behind reds, pinks and natural skin tones, so when its supply fades those are the first things to suffer — reds drift orange, and faces can look washed out or yellowish. If the machine's gauge shows magenta running low, a fresh cartridge is the fix. Running the color calibration afterward helps the new cartridge blend accurately with the colors already installed.

How many pages should we expect from this magenta cartridge?

It is rated at 18,000 pages under the standard 5% coverage measure, the same rating as the other colors on this platform. Photo-heavy and marketing work with large magenta areas will use it faster, while mostly-text documents with a small logo will stretch it much further. At $86.50, the rated cost works out to about 0.48 cents per page.

Is this the right magenta cartridge for our MP C4502?

Yes — this is the magenta unit for the shared Ricoh Aficio MP C4502 / MP C5502 platform, listed by its cartridge code 841649. The models it serves are Ricoh Aficio MP C4502 and MP C5502, and both take this identical magenta cartridge. Because each color carries a different code, it is worth a quick check that magenta — not cyan or yellow — is the one your machine is asking for.

Do we need to change the other colors when we change magenta?

No. The four cartridges on this platform are independent, and the machine tracks each one separately. Replace only the color that is empty and leave the others to finish their rated life — swapping all four at once would throw away usable toner.

How fast can we get a replacement if magenta runs dry mid-project?

We ship from four warehouses — Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia and California — so most orders arrive within a few business days depending on your location. For deadline-driven color work, keeping one magenta spare on the shelf is inexpensive insurance, since color jobs cannot proceed without it. Support can confirm stock and timing Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST.

What if the new cartridge does not fix our color problem?

Start with the basics: confirm the cartridge is seated fully and run the machine's calibration. If output is still wrong, the cartridge is covered by a one-year warranty with free returns for a full year — details are on our shipping and returns page. If a replacement behaves the same way, the issue likely sits with the machine rather than the toner, and we will tell you that honestly.

About This Ricoh 841649 Magenta Toner Cartridge

This compatible magenta toner cartridge for the Ricoh Aficio MP C4502 and MP C5502 is rated at 18,000 pages for $86.50 — roughly 0.48 cents per page — and supplies the reds, pinks and skin tones that make color output look right. It installs independently of the other three cartridges, ships from our Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia or California warehouses, and comes with a one-year warranty plus one year of free returns. Explore the full range at Clever Supplies' Ricoh store.