When buying new printers for your office, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make, is whether to choose inkjet printers or laser printers. The question is, what’s the difference between the two? More importantly, which is better suited to your specific needs? Read below to learn the basics of laser verses inkjet printers so you have the facts before you buy.

What is the difference between an inkjet printer and a laser printer?

There are several differences between laser printers and inkjet printers.

Inkjet printers use dye or pigment-based ink to operate. They are a great option for people who want high-quality results and who print a lot of graphics. Inkjet printers are usually preferred by users that print image-heavy documents.

Laser printers use toner to produce text and images. They’re generally larger than their inkjet counterparts and offer faster print speeds. Businesses and busy offices with high print volumes often opt for laser printers.

How Does Ink Printers and Laser Printers Work?

One of the fundamental differences between inkjet printers and laser printers is how they operate. Although they both produce crisp, clean text and images, how they do this is very different.

  • Inkjet printers use small nozzles that emit ink droplets directly onto the paper. This method lends itself to brightly colored images and is a good choice if you’re looking to produce high-resolution photos, graphics, or images in your documents.
  • Laser printers use toner powder instead of dye or pigment-based ink. Laser printers produce electrostatically charged dots on a light-sensitive drum which attracts toner powder. The toner is transferred to the paper and fixed by a heating process. Laser printers deliver crisp black and white and brilliant color prints.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Printer?

If you’re deciding between an inkjet printer or a laser printer, there are several important factors that can help you determine which is better for your needs.

  • Color or Black and White: If you plan to print in color, both inkjet and laser printers can provide the vivid colors and richly hued images you need.
  • Quality: While inkjet printers are considered powerhouses when it comes to high-resolution color printing, laser printers also produce solid color and black and white results. Both inkjet and laser printers can give you clear, crisp text that’s easy to read, as well as brilliant color images and graphics ideal for business documents.
  • Print Speed and Volume: Laser printers provide fast results at high volumes, making them a great choice for small businesses, larger workspaces, and mid-sized offices. Small offices and home offices that have lower print volumes find that an inkjet printer can easily meet their printing needs.
  • Page Yield: Both toner and ink cartridges are available in a range of page yield options so that you can select the best choice for your printing needs. Both inkjet and laser printers offer high-yield cartridge options that enable you to print more pages before needing replacement cartridges. This can help to reduce the total cost of ownership, regardless of the type of printer.
  • Business Features: If you’re using your printer primarily for business, laser printers offer added business-centric features, such as optional paper trays, higher replacement supply yields, and enhanced security options.

At Managed Business Solutions we create personalized solutions to satisfy all your printing needs. We understand that every business is different, so MBS created unique, cost-effective, efficient, and reliable solutions that always keep simplicity in mind. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your company get the solutions you need to succeed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter