You're staring at the grid. It’s a Wednesday or maybe a tricky Thursday. The clue says "mixtures in copier cartridges." You count the squares. Five letters. Your brain immediately jumps to "inks." But wait—that doesn't fit the crossing word, which clearly starts with a 'T'. Suddenly, it clicks. Toners.
That’s the thing about the New York Times crossword. It plays with your expectations of daily technology. Most of us think of "ink" when we think of printing, but the physics of a copier is entirely different from your desktop inkjet. Copiers don't use liquid. They use dust.
The Science Behind the Mixture
Crossword solvers often get tripped up because they conflate printers and copiers. If the clue mentions a "copier," the answer is almost certainly toners.
Why? Because a copier uses a dry, powdery substance. This isn't just one ingredient; it's a sophisticated mixture. It’s a blend of plastic resins, carbon black (for that deep midnight pigment), and various "charge control agents" that help the powder jump from the drum to the paper using static electricity.
Basically, it's a chemistry experiment in a plastic box. When the NYT uses the word "mixtures" in the plural, they are usually acknowledging that a cartridge contains a complex blend of these materials, or they are referring to the different colors—cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—that sit in their respective bays.
Why "Inks" is Usually a Trap
If you see "mixtures in printer cartridges" and it's four letters, go with INKS. But the NYT editors, like the legendary Will Shortz or the current digital team, are precise. They know that xerography (the tech in copiers) relies on dry toner.
I’ve seen people lose their streak because they were too stubborn to erase INKS. Don't be that person. Look at the crossings. If you see a 'T' or an 'R', you’re looking for the dry stuff.
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Cracking the NYT Logic
Crossword construction is a game of synonyms and sneaky definitions. When a constructor like Robyn Weintraub or Joel Fagliano puts "mixtures in copier cartridges" into a puzzle, they are looking for a word that provides high-value consonants.
- T is common.
- R is everywhere.
- S (for the plural) is a "helper" letter that makes the grid easier to build.
"Toners" is a gift to a crossword constructor. It’s a six-letter word (or five if singular) that is almost entirely composed of high-frequency letters. You’ll find it popping up in puzzles at least a few times a year.
Notable Appearances in the Grid
Let’s look at the history. On November 2, 2022, a similar clue appeared. It’s been used in the LA Times Crossword and the Wall Street Journal too. The wording varies—sometimes it’s "Copier needs" or "Laser printer fillers"—but the result is the same.
Actually, the NYT loves to use "toners" as an answer for beauty-related clues as well, like "Astringent liquids." You have to check the context. If the clue mentions a copier, an office, or Xerox, you aren't talking about skincare. You're talking about the powder that gets all over your hands if you shake the cartridge too hard.
Beyond the Five Letters
Sometimes the puzzle gets mean. If the answer isn't "toners," what else could it be?
In rare cases, the clue might be looking for CMYK. That stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). It’s the four-color model used in professional printing and high-end copiers. It’s a "mixture" in the sense that these four colors combine to create every other shade.
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You might also see DYES, though that’s more common for inkjet clues. Honestly, if you’re stuck on a copier-related clue and it isn't "toners," double-check your vowels. Are you sure the first letter isn't a 'D'? Could it be DRUM? No, that’s a part, not a mixture. Stick with the powder.
The Human Element of the Solve
There is a specific kind of frustration when you know the subject but can’t find the word. You’ve replaced the cartridge a thousand times at work. You’ve dealt with the "Low Toner" warning that stays on for three weeks even though the copies look fine.
Yet, when it’s 7:00 AM and you’re staring at a half-finished crossword, your brain fogs up.
Think of it this way:
The NYT crossword isn't testing your knowledge of office supplies. It’s testing your ability to categorize. Is this a liquid? No. Is it a solid? Sorta. It’s a powder. And in the world of the Times, that powder is always toner.
Semantic Variations to Watch For
- Laser printer supplies: Almost always TONERS.
- Xerox needs: Can be TONER or PAPER. Check the length.
- Cartridge contents: Could be INK or TONER. Look at the crossings.
- Darkening agents: A bit more cryptic, but often TONERS.
Why This Clue Persists
Why do we keep seeing this? It’s because the word "toner" is a "glue" word. It helps connect more interesting, longer theme entries. If a constructor has a brilliant 15-letter pun about "The Great Gatsby," they might need a word like "toners" to make the corner work.
It’s a utility player. It’s not flashy, it’s not particularly fun, but it gets the job done. Much like the copier in your office breakroom that everyone ignores until it jams.
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Real-World Nuance: Toner vs. Ink
If you really want to be an expert on this, remember that toner is a plastic-based powder. When it goes through the copier, the "fuser" unit heats it up. This literally melts the plastic onto the fibers of the paper.
This is why a fresh copy feels warm when you pull it out of the tray. Inkjet prints (inks) are usually cold and sometimes a bit damp. The crossword "mixture" refers to that specific blend of plastic and pigment that allows for this melting process.
Strategic Tips for Solvers
Next time you see a clue about copier mixtures, don't write anything down immediately. Look at the last letter. Does the clue imply a plural? "Mixtures" (plural) usually ends in 'S'.
If the clue is "Mixture in a copier cartridge" (singular), then TONER fits five squares. If it's "Mixtures" (plural), you're looking for TONERS at six squares.
Don't let the "mixture" part throw you off. It sounds like it should be something liquid or complex like "amalgam," but the NYT is simpler than that. They want the most common word for the substance inside the plastic housing.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Puzzle
- Check the "Copier" vs. "Printer" distinction. If it’s a copier, prioritize TONER.
- Scan the crossings for 'T', 'N', or 'R'. These are the structural bones of the word TONER and appear frequently in other common crossword answers.
- Count your squares. If it’s four, try INKS. If it’s five, try TONER. If it’s six, try TONERS.
- Ignore the "Mixture" distracter. It’s just a fancy way of describing a substance with multiple ingredients. Don't go looking for scientific terms.
- Look for "Cyan" or "Magenta" in nearby clues. Often, constructors will group office-themed words in the same section of the grid.
The NYT crossword is a language of its own. Once you realize that "copier mixtures" is just code for that black dust that ruins your white shirt, you’ll never miss this clue again. Keep your pencil sharp and your eraser ready—though if you’re confident enough to use a pen, "TONER" is a pretty safe bet.
Actionable Insight:
The next time you’re stuck on a technical or office-related clue, stop thinking about the object and start thinking about its components. The NYT often uses "mixtures," "agents," or "mediums" to describe simple substances like ink, toner, or dye. If you can identify the state of matter (liquid vs. powder), you can usually solve the clue in seconds.
Expert Reference: For those interested in the deep history of these clues, the XWord Info database provides a complete archive of every NYT puzzle ever published. A quick search there shows that "TONER" has appeared over 300 times since the 1940s, evolving from a "photographic chemical" to an "office staple." Use this historical context to anticipate how clues might shift as technology changes.