Inkjet vs Laser Printers: Benefits for the Office Environment
When it comes to printing, the two most popular types of printer are inkjet and laser. Both offer different benefits and drawbacks, so a thorough understanding of both is important when deciding on which one to purchase.
If you’re in the market for a new printer, no doubt you’ve been doing some research. In this post we’re going to examine several differences between laser and inkjet printers so you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision.
The Differences Between Inkjet and Laser Printers
When it comes to printing, the two most popular types of printer are inkjet and laser. Both offer different benefits and drawbacks, so a thorough understanding of both is important when deciding on which one to purchase.
Injet Printers
Inkjet printers use dye or pigment-based inks to operate. If you have a need to print a lot of graphics and want a high-quality result, inkjet devices are a great option. Typically preferred by home users, schools, and small offices that print image-heavy documents.
Inkjet printers use tiny droplets of liquid ink that is sprayed directly onto the paper. This type of printer typically produces higher quality prints than its laser counterpart, with vibrant colors and smooth details. In addition, they also tend to be cheaper than laser printers both in terms of the initial purchase price as well as their running costs due to the lower cost-per-page in comparison. On the other hand, inkjet printers are slower and often require more maintenance due to clogging issues related to evaporation of the liquid ink. Furthermore, although they may have low initial costs, depending on usage patterns, over time their cost per page can become high due to the need for frequent cartridge replacements.
Laser Printers
Laser printers use toner to produce text and images. They are typically larger than inkjet printers and have faster output speeds. Larger businesses and busy offices that produce higher print volumes choose laser printers for their business-focused features, large replacement supply yields, and advanced security options.
Laser printers use toner cartridges instead of cartridges filled with liquid ink like those used in inkjet printers. They’re much faster than their counterparts, able to print many pages at once; while they aren’t as capable of producing vivid colors or fine details like an inkjet can, they are still able to create sharp text documents quickly and efficiently with very little set up time required before each job. The toners used in laser printers last longer than their inkjet counterparts and have substantially lower cost-per-page rates when compared in bulk quantities; however initial acquisition costs for these machines are generally higher than those for inkjets. Additionally, laser printers produce a significant amount of heat which can be damaging if proper cooling systems are not installed or used properly.
How Do They Work?
One fundamental difference between these two devices is how they operate. While both produce high-quality, crisp, clean output, how they do it is very different.
Inkjet printers use small nozzles that deposit ink droplets directly onto the paper. This is a great choice if you use high-resolution photography, graphics, or images in your documents.
Laser printers use powdered toner. They produce electrostatically charged dots on a light-sensitive drum which attracts the toner powder. The toner is “fixed” using a heating element.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Inkjet vs Laser
When considering which type of printer is best suited for an individual’s needs it’s important to weigh out all factors from initial purchase price and running costs (cartridge/toner replacement frequency), speed/throughput requirements, as well as desired results such as color reproduction accuracy or resolution requirements (for photos/graphics) before making a decision. By having a clear understanding of all aspects involved in selecting either an inkjet or laser printer – along with their associated pros and cons – choosing the right model becomes much easier task.
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a printer. They include:
- Color or Black and White – Both can produce rich color documents. However, if you only need to print black and white, a monochrome laser printer might be the best option.
- Price – Here at Allied, we offer both inkjet and laser printers to fit any budget. If you don’t need copy, scan, and fax functionality, laser printers offer a wider range of options. Inkjet offers a lower cost of entry, but laser printers have a lower cost of ownership over time.
- Quality – Inkjet printers are excellent when it comes to high-resolution color output. Laser printers also produce solid color and black and white output. Both can provide crisp, clear text and brilliant color images ideal for business documents.
- Volume and Print Speed – Laser printers can produce fast output at high volumes. This makes them a great choice for small businesses and mid-sized offices. For smaller offices and home users that produce lower print volume, an inkjet will do the job.
- Page Yield – Both offer a range of page yield options and both also offer high-yield cartridge options that can lower the cost of ownership, regardless of the type of printer!
Both laser and inkjet printers offer a variety of options that can meet your needs whether in the office or working from home. Here at Allied we can help you to select the right printer to meet your needs. We offer the top brand names in the industry and also offer professional on-site printer service, printer parts and toner. Call today for a quote a laser printer for your business.
