Small businesses rely on technology to stay productive and tackle everyday workflows. When it´s time to invest in new technology, it can be challenging to figure out what tech is best for your needs and budget.
That even comes down to the types of printers your small business needs. To help make the best choice for your company, this article sheds some light on the most common office printers currently on the market: laser and inkjet.
What Is A Laser Printer?
Think of the term “laser printer,” and it’s not hard to think of whiz-bang “space-age” technology. While laser printers are amazing in their own right, the underlying technology isn’t as exotic as you’d think. The technology behind laser printers has been around since 1969, when engineer and inventor Gary Starkweather helped develop the first laser printing system at Xerox PARC.
A few things set laser printers apart from their inkjet counterparts. For starters, laser printers use toner cartridges instead of the typical ink cartridges you’d find in an inkjet printer. The toner is a mixture of powdered plastics, polymers, and minerals designed to melt when exposed to high temperatures and harden afterward.
Laser printers also get their name from the laser diodes used to imprint an image onto a rotating photoconductive drum. The laser “flips” the drum’s negative photostatic charge, allowing it to pick up the toner and deposit it onto the paper. The fuser essentially melts the toner onto the paper as it passes.
There are plenty of good reasons why the laser printer is a staple in most businesses throughout the U.S. and globally:
- Speed – It’s the clearest advantage that laser printers have over their inkjet counterparts. Most laser printers can produce twice the pages per minute or PPM of comparable inkjet devices. It’s no wonder laser printers are valued for high-speed, high-production environments.
- Print Quality – Laser printers are also champs at printing crisp, clear monochrome text, making them ideal for printing reports, white papers and other materials that demand clarity and readability.
- Page Yield – Laser printers can also get more out of a toner cartridge than an inkjet printer can out of its ink cartridges. The higher page yield means you won’t have to replace toner cartridges as often, giving you lower operating costs and a lower cost per page, despite the higher initial cartridge cost.
- Higher paper capacity – Most laser printers can hold more sheets of paper per tray than inkjet printers.
There are a few downsides to consider, however. Most laser printers are significantly more expensive than their inkjet counterparts, although there are many budget-friendly options available. Not only that, but the upfront cost of toner is higher than that of ink cartridges. Laser printers are also a bit pickier about the type of paper they use, plus they lack the stunning color image quality offered by many inkjet printers.
What Is An Inkjet Printer?
Inkjet printers are a completely different beast from laser printers. Instead of using toner, these devices create their images by spraying tiny amounts of pigment-based liquid ink onto the paper through a set of microscopic nozzles. These ink droplets dry on the paper, creating the desired image.
While laser printers are the gold standard in most businesses, inkjet printers enjoy a massive share of the home desktop market. However, that doesn’t mean that inkjets don’t have a place in the office. There are a few advantages that make having one in your office worthwhile:
- Smaller and Cheaper – Inkjet printers are a go-to budget option for many small businesses, thanks to their incredibly low upfront cost. Inkjet printers also tend to be much smaller than comparable laser printers, making them an attractive option if you want to save space in a crowded office.
- Better Color Image Quality – Inkjet printers excel at creating beautiful, high-quality color images.
- Multiple Paper Options – Inkjet printers accommodate a wide variety of paper sizes and paper types. Whether printing memos on parchment or printing on thick cardstock for a project, inkjet printers can handle those situations with little to no problem.
- No Warmup Time Needed – While laser printers need a small amount of time to warm up, inkjet printers can be used immediately.
On the other hand, the page yields are much lower for inkjet cartridges, so you’ll have to buy more sooner. Although ink cartridges are cheap (and ink refill kits are more affordable still), they don’t keep as well in storage as toner. After all, ink tends to dry out over long periods.
Inkjets can handle monochrome text but lack the crispness that laser printers are known for.
Which Is Best: Laser or Inkjet Printer for Small Business
As you can imagine, there is no definitive answer as to which type of printer is ideal for your small business. When buying a new printer, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
- What do you print? If your office prints simple reports, memos, technical diagrams, and schematics, you’ll love a laser printer’s crisp text quality. If you create trade show graphics, colorful brochures and full-featured pamphlets, then an inkjet printer is the way to go.
- How often do you print? Laser printers can handle high print volumes, making them ideal for nearly any business.
- What features do you want from a printer? Laser and inkjet printers may have different features depending on the brand and model. These often range from additional paper trays for expanded capacity to enhanced security features.
- Can you see your project needs changing soon? You’ll want a printer that can keep up as your business grows. This doesn’t mean you should buy the biggest printer you can find but instead consider your future needs when choosing one.
- What’s your budget? The cheapest printers tend to be inkjet printers, although there are plenty of low-budget options when it comes to laser printers.
When you ask yourself and your employees the above questions, the answers might surprise you. After all, an inkjet printer may be a better fit in places you thought a laser printer was a shoo-in.
If you need help deciding on a laser printer or inkjet printer for your San Francisco business’s print fleet, contact Golden Gate Office Solutions today and let our sales specialists go to work for you.
