There’s a reason why you’ll find a lot of people confused when it comes to deciding between an inkjet and a laser printer. Both work slightly differently, and the differences between the two are enough to make even the most seasoned of consumers’ eyes twitch.
Printers have been around for a long time and have been gradually improving with time. The technology has come a long way and now, you can buy a quality inkjet printer that will deliver excellent results for a very affordable price.
That being said, not all inkjets are created equal, and it is worth your time to learn about the differences between the two so that you can make the right choice for your business. Let’s take a look at the major differences between the two to help you make the right decision for your company.
What is a Laser Printer?
A laser printer uses light to print the characters and images that you have sent to it. The light is emitted from a laser, which is why the printer is referred to as a laser printer. Laser printers use light to create a pattern that cannot be duplicated with a printing press.
There are many different types of laser printers, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Some of the main differences between laser printers are listed below:
Light Pollution: Light from a laser printer is less likely to cause pollution than light from a printing press would be. However, this light from the printer will still reach the paper when it is photocopied or printed, so there is still a risk of light pollution.
Noise from the Laser: Laser printers have the ability to spew out very loud noise, which can be unnerving for those nearby them.
Advantages of Laser Printers
Better Print Quality: Laser printers have the ability to create clearer and more accurate prints than an average inkjet printer. This is because the light from the laser printer is more concentrated and has fewer wavelengths to reach the paper than that from an inkjet printer.
More Affordable: Laser printers cost much less to run than their inkjet counterparts, making them an affordable option for many businesses.
Noisey: Some inkjet printers sound like a chainsaw, meaning they are offensive and can be quite distressing to work in.
Disadvantages of Laser Printers
Noisy: Laser printers are noisier than inkjet printers, which can be distracting and irritating for those nearby.
Does Not Print Backwards: If you have a lot of documents that need to be printed, but you need to print them in reverse order, you will have to purchase an additional printer. This is not a major issue, but it is worth noting.
What is an Inkjet Printer?
An inkjet printer is very similar to a laser printer but uses ink as opposed to light to print. Inkjet printers use a jet of ink to print characters and images, much like a fountain pen does. There are many different types of inkjet printers, and the main difference between them is that of printhead design.
The main reason why inkjet printers are cheaper than laser printers is that they use cheaper, less durable printheads that require less maintenance and cleaning than a laser printer.
How to Choose an Inkjet Printer for Your Business?
When you’re deciding between an inkjet and a laser printer, you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the best deal possible. This is why it’s important to understand the difference between the two and how they differ.
There are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing between an inkjet and a laser printer. These things include the following:
Cost: One of the most significant differences between the two is cost. It will depend on how much your company uses printers, but an average business will spend close to $3,000 on printers over the lifetime of the machine. An average printer will run you around $80 per month to run, so the savings will far outweigh the cost of an inkjet printer over time.
Capacity: Another significant difference between the two is capacity. Many inkjet printers only have a single printhead that prints in a very limited range of directions. On the other hand, a laser printer has the capacity to print in both directions so that it can cover a larger area and still deliver quality prints.
Paper Sizes: Last but not least, when you’re deciding between an inkjet and a laser printer, you’ll want to keep in mind the paper sizes that they support. There are a wide variety of paper sizes available, so it will be difficult to choose the right one based on just one criterion.
The Difference between an Inkjet and a Laser Printer
The main difference between an inkjet and a laser printer is the setup. When you set up an inkjet printer, you’ll need to manually adjust the settings so that the printer judges the paper correctly and prints only what it needs to. This is not the case with a laser printer, where the printer uses an auto-sensing technology to judge the paper type and quality and accordingly prints only what is needed.
Additionally, when it comes to usage, the only way to truly know the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer is to try them out. When you set up an inkjet printer, you’ll experience a warm-up period where the printer is learning its new software. During this time, you can ask questions, experiment with different settings, and understand the process better from a technical standpoint. When you first set up a new laser printer, you’ll have to stick to basic procedures such as adjusting the paper settings and installing the software. Once you get the hang of things, you can move on to more advanced topics such as cleaning your printer or increasing the printhead’s rating.
Printer Speed
One of the biggest differences between an inkjet and a laser printer is printer speed. While both types of printers use a roll of paper to deliver the content you request, a laser printer is much more efficient. It doesn’t use a lot of paper because it produces high-quality prints without consuming much ink.
A laser printer uses a roll of paper that is less than the size of the printer. This means that the printer uses less paper and produces prints that are less tonal because there is less chance of overprinting.
There are many different types of printers that produce different types of prints, and the key to choosing the right model is understanding the speed and quality of prints that you’d like to see.
Print Quality
Another significant difference between an inkjet and a laser printer is print quality. With an inkjet printer, you get standard prints like photos, samples, and logos. On the other hand, with a laser printer, you can select from a wide variety of different print quality options that include:
Monochrome: Also known as standard or black and white printing, monochrome prints are the most common type of print and can be printed on practically any type of paper.
Custom: This option allows you to select the paper type, the paperweight, the page format, and the border options. You can also choose to include or exclude the background from the print. This is the most detailed print option and requires the most setup.
Blank: This is the default print and is sufficient for any business.
Cost Per Page
The final major difference between an inkjet and a laser printer is the cost per page. Unlike inkjet printers that are made to be cheap, the entire manufacturing process of a laser printer is much more expensive. The cost of the printer and the paper it prints on will therefore vary depending on the location of your business, but it will cost a lot more to produce a printed page using a laser printer than it would with an inkjet printer.
An inkjet printer will generally print a certain number of pages before needing a break. A laser printer, however, will keep on printing until you tell it to stop.