What is the difference between Inkjet and Laser Printer? Leave a comment

When it comes to printing, inkjet and laser printers are the two most popular choices. Each has its strengths and features over the others and works well for different tasks. Although there is a place for both print technologies in homes and offices, there is a strong possibility that one will serve your needs far better than the other.  To help you decide which is the best fit for your needs, We’ll discuss the key difference between Inkjet and Laser Printer below.

Difference between Inkjet and Laser Printer

Inkjet Printer	Laser Printer
What is an Inkjet Printer? An inkjet printer is a type of printer that prints words and images on paper using tiny ink droplets. It works similar to the paintbrush: the printer moves back and forth across the paper, squirting ink from a cartridge to create the letters and shapes.	What is a Laser Printer? A laser printer prints high-quality text and images on paper by using a laser beam. It works by using a laser to create a static electric charge on a rotating drum, which attracts powdered ink (toner) to form the required image or text. Then heat is used to fuse the toner into the paper, producing quick and accurate printing.
Printing Technology These printers use microscopic nozzles to spray liquid ink onto paper.  The ink is absorbed into the paper, creating vibrant and detailed prints.	Printing Technology These printers use a laser beam to produce an electrostatic image on a drum. The fine powder toner is then attracted to the charged areas on the drum and transferred onto the paper.
Quality Inkjet printers are usually better suited for high-quality photo work because they use ink. They can attain a much broader color profile especially when they begin to use more color cartridges.	Quality Laser printers are incredibly well-suited to printing text. No possibility of smudge, but the text itself tends to be more crisper and clearer. Also, laser printers can often print in smaller fonts without losing clarity.
Speed Inkjet printers have a slower print speed of about 15 pages per minute.	Speed A laser printer can print at about 15-100 pages per minute. .
Cost-Effectiveness Less Expensive	Cost-Effectiveness More Expensive
Maintenance To prevent printhead blockage, inkjet printers require routine maintenance. Users may have to perform nozzle cleaning or alignment adjustments occasionally.	Maintenance Laser Printers need less regular maintenance Because they have fewer moving parts. Although toner cartridges need to be replaced periodically, they generally last longer than ink cartridges.
Versatility A wide range of paper sizes and types, including textured cardstock and glossy photo paper, can be printed on with inkjet printers. They can be used for many kinds of printing purposes because of their versatility.	Versatility Laser printers are best suited for standard paper types and sizes. While some models can handle specialty paper, in general, they are not as versatile as inkjet printers.
Design Considerations Inkjet printers are perfect for colorful and bold designs.  Consider using a bright, glossy blank envelope stock to improve the look of full-color printing.	Design Considerations Laser printers excel in speed and work well for printing a lot of text or simple black-and-white graphics.

Inkjet Printers Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
The printer itself is cheaper to buy.	Ink cartridges can be pricey and don’t last as long as toner.
Available in more compact sizes.	Liquid ink used in inkjets may smudge or smear after printing.
Handles colors and graphics-heavy print jobs exceptionally well.	Print quality for text documents is less crisp and clear.
Smaller, lighter, and easy to maintain.	Output trays are not available in most cases.

Laser Printers Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Handles text-heavy document print jobs well.	The printer itself is more expensive to purchase.
Toner is expensive, but lasts much longer and prints more.	Tends to be big and bulky, with little to no compact size options.
Regardless of the volume, printing is always smooth.	Takes more time to warm up.
The ink used dries quickly and doesn’t smear.	Doesn’t handle color/graphics printing as well as inkjet.

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Conclusion

So, Which of the two technologies is the best choice? While each person’s case can vary, there are some general starting points.

If you don’t do a lot of color printing, you’re better off going with a laser printer. Although purchasing a laser printer initially costs more than purchasing an inkjet, the long-term costs of printing a lot of black-and-white documents are low. Similarly, a laser printer is the better choice if you intend to print a large number of pages.

On the other hand, if you do a lot of color printing, then inkjet is the better option. While the cost per page (CPP) is pretty high, you aren’t likely to get better color quality with a laser printer unless you go to a high-end grade which isn’t available to most consumers. Also, if you’re brave enough, you can look at buying an ink-tank printer which can help with the astronomical CPP of inkjet printing.

The sort of papers you print, your budget, and the required print quality should all be taken into consideration when choosing a printer. When buying a printer, one can make an informed choice by considering each of the factors explained in this article.

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