Cross-reference: Ricoh 841284 (also listed by Ricoh under part number 842498), the Type MP C5000/C5050/LD5500C black print cartridge (23,000 pages). This cartridge fits the Ricoh Aficio MP C4000 and MP C5000 — the same machine platform also sold as the Savin C4040 and C5050 and the Lanier LD540C and LD550C.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a 23,000-page black cartridge actually last in an MP C4000?

It depends on how much black-and-white output your office pushes through the machine. At roughly 1,500 black pages a month, one cartridge carries you for well over a year; at 4,000 a month you are looking at around six months; a busy department printing 8,000 black pages a month will go through it in about three. Most offices are surprised how far 23,000 pages goes, because the rating counts black pages only — color jobs draw on the color cartridges separately.

At $70.08, what am I paying per page?

About three-tenths of a cent per page at the rated yield — $70.08 spread over 23,000 pages. That is the honest math for a high-capacity black cartridge in this machine class, and it is why the per-page cost stays low even though the sticker price looks like a lot for a single cartridge. Heavier page coverage than the standard test basis will bring the cost per page up somewhat; lighter document printing brings it down.

Why does the black cartridge empty first on a color machine?

Because most office output is still black text — emails, invoices, reports, contracts. The MP C4000 and MP C5000 are color machines, but on a typical day the black cartridge does the heavy lifting while cyan, magenta, and yellow wait for the jobs that actually use them. Replacing black on its own, when it runs low, is the normal rhythm for these models rather than a sign anything is wrong.

Which printers does this cartridge work in?

This black cartridge is built for Ricoh Aficio MP C4000 and MP C5000. Check the model badge on the front of your machine before ordering, because Ricoh cartridges from neighboring series can look alike on the shelf while being made for different printers.

Can the machine keep printing in color when the black cartridge runs out?

Any job that calls for black — which includes most mixed documents — will pause until the black cartridge is replaced, so an empty black cartridge effectively stops a working office even if the colors are full. The swap itself takes a couple of minutes through the front cover. Watching the supply gauge and ordering when black gets low is the simplest way to avoid the standstill.

What cover do I get with this cartridge?

Every cartridge we sell carries a 1-year warranty and free returns for a full year. If this one arrives faulty or fails early in normal use, contact us and we will put it right under those terms — the details are on our shipping and returns page. Support is available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST.

About This Ricoh 841284 Black Toner Cartridge

This is a single black toner cartridge (Ricoh 841284) for the Ricoh Aficio MP C4000 and MP C5000, rated at up to 23,000 pages. At $70.08 it works out to roughly 0.30 cents per page, and it ships from our Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, or California warehouses. A 1-year warranty and 1-year free returns apply.