Polyester Toner
Definition
A toner binder formulation based on polyester resin, dominant in office photocopiers and laser printers from the 2000s onward; characterised by FTIR absorption patterns in the 700-1800 cm-1 region distinguishable from earlier styrene-acrylate binders.
- Binder resin
- Polyester
- Era
- Office photocopiers and laser printers, 2000s onward
- Predecessor binder
- Styrene-acrylate
- Detection
- FTIR absorption, roughly 700-1800 cm-1
Common questions
How does identifying the binder help date a document?+
Because polyester binders became dominant in a later manufacturing era than styrene-acrylate, finding one on a document that is claimed to predate that shift is grounds to question the claimed date.
Can polyester and styrene-acrylate toners be confused visually?+
Not under FTIR. The two resins give distinguishable absorption band patterns in the mid-infrared, even though they can look identical to the naked eye on the printed page.
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