Inkjet printers and laser printers do the same thing. They take text or images from a computer and transport them to paper. The similarities they share include the ability to print both in black and white and color. Both also offer the option of a wireless connection or a cabled connection. But when it comes to how they produce copies, their technologies separate them. If you have to choose a new printer for your office, your final choice will be dictated by three factors:
- What you want it to do
- How much you want to spend
- How much space you have
How the Technology Behind Inkjet Printers Differs from That of Laser Printers
Inkjet printers have tiny nozzles that emit droplets of ink directly onto the page. Since this technology can produce bright, crisp colors, they are a good fit for companies that print documents or brochures that include graphics, images, and high-resolution photos.
Laser printers rely on powdered toner instead of pigment-based ink. They produce an electrostatic charge onto a rotating drum in the shape of the characters to be printed, and this charge attracts and transfers toner powder to the page. Heat is then used to affix the resulting print to the page. Laser printing creates clear, sharp, high-quality text print and brightly colored images.
Both technologies lend themselves to multifunction printers, which are all-in-one printers that can scan, copy, and fax and are another thing to consider once you’ve settled on the question of laser or inkjet. Since a laser printer contains a drum and rollers, it will take up more space than an inkjet printer. So, this can be a serious consideration if your office is small.
Upfront Costs vs. Maintenance Costs
Because their technology is less complex, inkjet printers will take a smaller upfront bite out of your budget. However, since ink cartridges are intricately engineered, they are expensive. In fact, the ink they hold has been called the most expensive liquid in the world, with black and white text costing anywhere between 5 and 10 cents per page and color printing 15 to 25-cents per page. While laser printers are a more significant expenditure, they use toner powder which yields more pages than inkjet cartridges with black and white plain text, costing less than 5-cents per copy and color, about 15-cents. So, if you look at the bottom-line comparison here, the cost of printing evens the score somewhat.
Then there’s the matter of maintenance. Laser printers require regular care to prevent breakdowns and to extend their lifetimes. Maintenance includes cleaning, inspecting, and replacing worn or broken parts. When you buy your laser printer, your seller may offer a service plan to provide these. However, these constitute an additional cost. Inkjet printers require little to no maintenance either than replacing empty inkjet cartridges.
The Bottom-Line Bottom Line
A printer is a necessary component of your business, so you want to take your time to consider all the functions as well as the cost. After all, you don’t want to be stuck for many years with a machine that either doesn’t fit your needs or provides functions you never use. Speaking of functions, if you have questions about networking options, multifunction printers, snapshot printers, or features such as two-sided printing or automatic document features, one of our specialists will be glad to answer them. If your San Francisco Bay Area-based business is in need of a new printer, contact Golden Gate Office Solutions today!
