SKU:

CB540A

Printer Brand:

Hewlett Packard

OEM Number:

CB540A

Ink Color:

Black

Page Yield:

2,200 Pages

Printer Type:

Laser Cartridge

Condition:

New Compatible

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know CB540A is the black cartridge and not one of the colors?

The 540 slot in the 125A numbering is reserved for black: CB540A is the black station, and the color stations carry different numbers entirely. If your printer's supply label lists CB540A against the K position, this is the cartridge that belongs there — match that code, not just the 125A family name.

Why does the black cartridge usually run out before the colors?

Everyday work leans on black far more than on any color: letters, invoices, forms and plain reports are almost all black text. On the multifunction machines in this family, incoming faxes and black-and-white copies draw on the same black supply too, so it is normal for this cartridge to ask for replacement while the colors still show life.

How many pages should I expect from one CB540A?

It is rated at roughly 2,200 pages per cartridge at standard coverage. Dense pages — bold headings, shaded forms, heavy letterheads — pull that figure down, while light memos stretch it further. Treat the rating as a planning guide rather than a promise for any single job.

My text pages have gone grey and streaky. Is the cartridge finished?

Probably close to it. Take the cartridge out and rock it gently from side to side a few times to loosen the remaining toner, then refit it — that often buys a short run of clean pages. If the greying comes straight back, the supply is genuinely spent and a fresh cartridge is the fix.

Which machines does this black cartridge serve?

It is the black cartridge for the Color LaserJet CM1312 MFP generation of machines and the related CP-series printers that share the 125A supply line. Check the code printed on the cartridge you are removing; if it reads CB540A, you are looking at the right replacement.

What cover does this compatible cartridge carry?

It comes with a 1-year warranty and 1-year free returns from Clever Supplies — a full twelve months of protection on a cartridge that costs a fraction of the original brand.

About This HP 125A Black Cartridge (CB540A)

At $34.86, this single black cartridge keeps a 125A machine doing what it does most: crisp text work, day after day. It is sold on its own, so you replace the black station when it empties instead of disturbing colors that still have pages left in them.

Your order ships from whichever of our IL, PA, GA or CA warehouses reaches you fastest, and the shipping & returns page sets out delivery timing and the returns process. Questions are answered by real people Monday through Friday, 9 AM–5 PM CST, and the wider HP range is there if you need anything else for the machine.