Key Differences Between Laser Printers and Inkjet Printers

Are you planning to start a printer station soon? If yes, then, one of the first decisions you must make is determining the type of printer and cartridges you will need. Laser printers and inkjet printers are the two primary types of printers you can choose from. Both options have their own sets of pros and cons. Printed results and startup costs are some factors that can affect your decision-making.
Below are some other areas that must be taken into consideration.

Functionality
The key difference between ink and laser printers is the specific type of cartridge used by these two printers. An inkjet printer uses ink cartridges while a laser printer uses toner cartridges. Laser printers use an electrical charge for instructing when and where the toner must be dispensed on the paper. The technology of an inkjet printer, on the other hand, is a bit more straightforward in which the ink gets dispensed accordingly with the cartridge moving across the page.

Quality
As far as the printed product’s quality is concerned, the toner cartridge and laser printer combined will render a higher quality. A laser printer’s precision is difficult to match with inkjet printers. After being printed using an inkjet printer, there is a tendency for the paper to be ruined or smudge if the ink is still wet.

Speed
Toner cartridges and laser printers print faster than inkjet printers. Once again, the speed all boils down to the printer’s functionality. Aside from being slower, an inkjet printer might also require you to refill the paper more often that can further slowdown the printing process. For instance, it may be challenging to print a bulk of pages with an inkjet printer while a laser printer’s capacity can allow the printing of larger loads.

Space
If there is a limited space for housing your printing station, you might be better off with an inkjet. Inkjet printers can be stored easily on shelving or desk units. These printers are more portable as well, especially if you have plans to relocate your printing station somewhere else in the near future. On the other hand, laser printers are usually bigger and might need a designated area for housing them.

Costs
There are various costs that must be considered when shopping for the right printer that suits your needs. Your initial investment might greatly differ between inkjet and laser printers, with laser printers considered as the pricier option. The price of replacing and purchasing cartridges is also a critical factor that must be considered. In general, toner replacements tend to be more expensive. Even though ink cartridges are often cheaper, they might need more frequent replacements. It may make your costs pile up in the long run. You can invest in a remanufactured cartridge if you want to further reduce the costs.

Both laser and inkjet printers offer buyers unique benefits. At the end of the day, it is all a matter of which of these factors you value the most to determine the best option that suits your type of work.