Aficio SP C840

Not every workgroup needs another multifunction machine. The Ricoh Aficio SP C840 is a print-only color laser for teams that already scan elsewhere but need professional color documents with networking and automatic duplex as standard. It runs a four-cartridge system: the 821255 black, rated for up to 43,000 pages, alongside the 821258 cyan, 821257 magenta and 821256 yellow cartridges at up to 34,000 pages each. Because every color is a separate unit, a single depleted color never forces a full set change.

That print-only focus is the point. Without the scanner bed and feeder hardware of an MFP, the SP C840 keeps a smaller footprint while holding departmental stamina — it is built to sit on the network and turn out proposals, reports and client-facing color work all day. Offices that centralized scanning on one device often find a dedicated color printer like this is the missing half of the setup.

Toner Cartridges for Aficio SP C840

Cartridge	Color	Page Yield
821255 — Single Cartridge	Black	Up to 43,000 pages
821255 — 2 Pack	Black	Up to 43,000 pages each
821258	Cyan	Up to 34,000 pages
821257	Magenta	Up to 34,000 pages
821256	Yellow	Up to 34,000 pages
821258, 821257, 821256 — 3 Color Set	Cyan / Magenta / Yellow	Up to 34,000 pages each
821255, 821258, 821257, 821256 — 4 Color Set	Black / Cyan / Magenta / Yellow	See individual cartridges
821255, 821258, 821257, 821256 — 5 Color Set	Black / Cyan / Magenta / Yellow	See individual cartridges

Which cartridge should you buy?

Buy by color, not by set, unless you are planning a full refresh. In most workgroups one color runs down well ahead of the others, and the SP C840 lets you replace just that cartridge — the cyan, magenta and yellow singles each carry the same 34,000-page rating, and the black runs longer still at up to 43,000 pages, reflecting how much of a typical document is text. The 3 Color Set makes sense when all three colors are nearing empty together, and the 4 and 5 Color Sets suit a planned overhaul or a spare set kept for a shared machine that cannot wait on deliveries. A black 2-pack is the quiet workhorse option: black is the cartridge this printer will ask for most often across its life, so doubling up keeps the reorder cycle calm.

Chip, toner and everyday use

Each cartridge carries its own chip, and the printer tracks the four levels independently — check the supply screen before a long color run so a low cartridge does not surprise you mid-job. Replace one color at a time, matching the slot label to the cartridge color, and let the machine finish its calibration pages before judging output quality. Yields are stated at roughly 5% coverage per color; full-bleed graphics will use color toner far faster than text documents with a logo. Store unopened cartridges flat and sealed, and rock a cartridge gently from side to side before installation to loosen toner that settled in transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cartridges does the Aficio SP C840 use?

Four: 821255 in black and 821258, 821257 and 821256 in cyan, magenta and yellow. You may also see the family marked SP C840A; the part numbers above are the ones to order by.

Can I replace just one color?

Yes. Each color is an independent cartridge, so replace only the one the printer reports as empty and leave the others in place until their turn comes.

Why does the black cartridge last longer than the colors?

It is simply rated higher — up to 43,000 pages against up to 34,000 for each color — which matches office printing, where black text dominates most pages.