Laser Printer vs. Inkjet: What’s the Difference?

Last Updated on June 23, 2023 by Christian Ralph

When it comes to finding the right printer, it’s usually a choice between an inkjet or laser printer. However, the differences between the two technologies aren’t always clear, which can result in a purchase that may not have been the best option for your business’ needs.

Are you one of those people whose company could benefit from learning more about the advantages of laser printers vs. an inkjet alternative?

We’ve compiled our knowledge on the subject to give you a comprehensive look at the most important differences between inkjet and laser printers, and why it’s important for your business to choose the correct one for your needs.

Inkjet vs Laser Technology

The first thing to consider when discussing laser printing vs inkjet printing is the technology behind them.

Laser printing technology uses (you guessed it) a laser beam which passes over an electromagnetically charged component known as a ‘drum’.

On the areas of the drum that the laser beam contacts, the electromagnetic charge is reversed.

A component known as a transfer roller the passes over the surface of the drum, attracting the microscopic, powdered toner particles onto the negatively charged areas.

A sheet of paper is passed under the toner-coated drum, allowing the toner particles to be deposited onto the surface of the page.

The paper, now coated with toner, is then passed into a fuser unit which uses a pair of heated rollers to physically fuse the toner into the fabric of the paper resulting in a hard copy document.

Inkjet printing technology offers a fundamentally different approach to printing. Instead of using toner particles, inkjet printers use liquid inks which are forced through minute nozzles depositing microscopic droplets onto the surface of the page. The droplets are precisely arranged to create high resolution text and imagery with vibrant, eye-catching colours.

Inkjet vs Laser Printer Costs

Saving money wherever possible is crucial for any business. When it comes to laser printers, the initial cost of the machine can be daunting. However, one of the many benefits of these machines is significantly lower total cost of ownership. While laser printers might be more expensive upfront, they are more cost effective than inkjet models over time.

Laser printers also have cartridges with higher capacities, that do not dry out during periods of little or no operation and leave you with an unusable cartridge. This means that you don’t need to buy consumables quite as often as with an inkjet printer.

When it comes to inkjet printers, although they offer lower initial hardware costs, you can expect higher running costs. For this reason, inkjet printers are usually better suited to home use and image-based printing rather than use in a business environment which requires high volume, text-based printing.

Efficiency and productivity

Laser printers are a great addition to any business as they can significantly boost your productivity. Models such as the Xerox VersaLink C400DN A4 Colour Laser Printer offer users a print speed of up to 35 A4 pages per minute, delivering high quality prints quickly.

Inkjet models on the other hand, offer a print speed of up to around 30 pages per minute, making them less efficient than their laser counterparts.

Additionally, laser printers can help stop your business facing a delay in work thanks to the higher levels of reliability. When using a laser printer, you can expect less downtime and maintenance requirements when compared to inkjet equivalents, resulting in far superior reliability.

nkjet printers are typically smaller than laser printers, and therefore have a smaller motor which hinders the level of operation they can offer. Because of this, you can expect slower printing speeds which may reduce your business’ printing output.

Economic benefits of Laser and Inkjet Printers

All businesses must adhere to certain sustainability guidelines, which can be difficult when it comes to printing. However, when you buy a laser printer such as the Xerox C315 A4 Colour Multifunction Laser Printer, you’ll receive benefits such as automatic double-sided printing and scanning facilities which can help reduce your paper consumption by up to 50%.

Epson’s range of EcoTank printers are comparable to laser printers in terms of performance but feature unique refillable ink tanks instead of disposable ink cartridges. Epson EcoTank printers allow users to save up to 90% on the cost of ink.

When inkjet printers, although they do offer a small footprint, they can also use up ink quite quickly which can result in significant wastage from empty cartridges. If you are planning to purchase an inkjet for your business, we would suggest getting involved in an ink recycling scheme to ensure you’re continuing to meet sustainability standards.

Uses for Laser and Inkjet Printers

Many people believe that a printer is a printer, and that each type of printer can deliver the same results for each job. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For example, if your high volumes of professional quality marketing materials, such as marketing brochures, then laser printers will give you the best results. Models like the Xerox VersaLink C7120DN A3 Colour Multifunction Laser Printer operates at a 1,200 x 2,400 dpi output, so you can be certain that your marketing materials will look their best.

However, if you need to print natural looking images then inkjet printers have better colour definition and so have become a preference for most professional photo-printers.

As you can see, many of the differences between inkjet and laser printers can be equally beneficial depending on the circumstance in which they are used. However, if you’re searching for the perfect printer for your office, laser printers come out on top.

If you have any other questions regarding inkjet or laser printers, you can contact our team of experts, who will be able to assist with any query you may have.

Choosing a printer with Printerland

Hopefully this article has helped to clarify the main differences between inkjet and laser printers. Whilst both technologies have their own unique strengths, it is important to base your purchasing decision on your individual printing needs.

Whether you’re looking for an inkjet or laser printer, Printerland stocks a broad range of models from leading printer manufacturers including Xerox, HP, Epson, Kyocera and more.

You can instantly purchase an inkjet or laser printer from the Printerland website.