Inkjet vs Laser Printer: Differences & How to Choose

Deciding between an inkjet or laser printer will depend on your budget, the types of documents you print, expected print volumes, security needs, and ongoing maintenance requirements. So, what is a laserjet printer, and how does it differ from an inkjet? In this guide to ink vs. laser printers, we’ll explore these questions so you can understand the differences and advantages of each.

What’s the Difference Between Inkjet and Laser Printers?

The main difference between laser and ink printers is the mechanism they use to produce prints. This difference influences each device’s cost, efficiency, and ideal use cases. Ink printers rely on liquid ink cartridges that produce vibrant, high-quality color images. In contrast, laser printers use toner to quickly and efficiently print sharp, text-based documents. 

As we’ll discuss later, ink printers typically have a more affordable purchase price and are commonly used for home and small-business printing. On the other hand, laser printers may be more expensive upfront, but their efficiency and configurable security features often make them a preferred choice for enterprise users. 

What Is a Laser Printer?

laser printer uses a laser beam to create images or text by fusing toner powder onto paper. Laser printers create images on a drum that is charged to about 600 volts using a static field, enabling it to attract lightweight objects. 

A laser then writes the image onto the drum. A roller coated with powdered ink, known as toner, applies the toner to the drum’s surface. The static charge ensures the toner sticks only to the areas where the image is on the drum. Then, the printer transfers the toner to a sheet of paper. 

In the last stage, the paper passes through heated rollers known as fusers. This device functions like an iron, fusing the toner onto the paper to ensure the image is permanently affixed. This is why printed copies feel warm when they emerge from a laser printer. 

  • Known For: Lower long-term costs and fast print speeds
  • Typical Price: $80 – $700 
  • Commonly Used In: Businesses of all sizes, often larger

Do Laser Printers Use Ink?

Unlike inkjet printers, laser printers don’t use liquid ink. Instead, they use powdered dye or pigment-based ink to create printed images, meaning you don’t have to purchase ink replacement cartridges for a laser printer.

Do Laser Printers Use Toner?

So, if laser printers don’t use liquid ink, what do they use? Laser printers use toner cartridges filled with powdered ink. In contrast to ink cartridges, toner has a longer shelf-life, as it won’t dry up when not in use. Plus, toner images are less likely to smudge since they are not produced using liquid ink. 

Do Laser Printers Print in Color?

Yes, laser printers can print in color. In a color laser printer, each color used in a printed image is individually transferred from the drum to a belt. The color is then overlaid over the previous color, completing the image gradually before it’s finally transferred onto the paper.

What is an Inkjet Printer?

An inkjet printer produces images using tiny droplets of liquid ink stored in a cartridge. They can be a simple monochrome printer, often called a black-and-white printer, containing only a single black ink cartridge. Nonetheless, most ink or inkjet printers are color models that use black, cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges.

The printer produces an image on every page by dispensing ink droplets through nozzles, forming tiny dots on the paper. These dots are small and positioned closely, giving the appearance of a continuous image. By blending these colored dots, the printer can generate every hue within the color spectrum.

  • Known for: Being more affordable upfront and producing high-quality images
  • Typical Price: $40 – $400
  • Commonly Used In: Home offices and small businesses

Is Laser Printing Cheaper Than Inkjet?

When comparing the purchase price of an inkjet printer vs a laser printer, inkjets tend to be more affordable. This lower price point for ink printers is due to the simpler technology used to create images. Additionally, ink printers are not typically designed to be serviced or replace their parts, which helps keep them cheap. However, toner cartridges have higher yields than ink cartridges, meaning the long-term costs of maintaining a laser printer can be lower. 

Why Don’t Large Businesses Use Inkjet Printers?

Most large organizations that manage large fleets use laser printers rather than ink printers because the laser printers are built for enterprise-level use. Toner cartridges have a much higher page yield than do ink cartridges, produce prints more quickly, and require less ongoing maintenance. Enterprise-level laser printers also have configurable network security protocols that help protect companies against common security risks.

What’s The Difference Between a Laserjet and Inkjet Printer?

The key differences between ink and laser printers stem from the technology each uses to produce printed images. Inkjet printers lay liquid ink, while laser printers disburse dry toner that fuses to paper with heated rollers. Based on this distinction, the printers differ in maintenance needs, purchase price, print yield, and quality. 

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Pros and Cons of Laser Printing

There are several advantages to using laser printers over inkjet printers. Laser printers are known for their high yields and efficiency, making them better suited to larger organizations with high-volume printing needs. 

However, laser printers have drawbacks that can make inkjets more appealing to certain users, such as less vibrant prints and less versatility. Here is a quick overview of the pros and cons of laser printers.

Advantages: 

  • Faster printing speeds
  • Lower cost-per-print
  • Sharper text-based images and graphics

Drawbacks:

  • Higher upfront costs
  • Not ideal for high-quality photo printing
  • Not as compatible with different paper types

Pros and Cons of Inkjet Printing

In contrast, inkjet printers offer unique advantages, including more vibrant, high-quality image printing and lower upfront costs. However, like laser printers, some disadvantages might make a laser printer the better choice for specific users. Here are some of the top benefits and drawbacks of inkjet printers for your consideration:

Advantages: 

  • Lower initial costs
  • High-quality color images
  • Better versatility with print functions and paper types

Drawbacks:

  • Greater maintenance requirements
  • Higher cost-per-print
  • Slower printing speeds
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So, is a Laser Printer Better Than an Inkjet?

Many find that laser printers are much more reliable, efficient, easier to manage, and most importantly, they ultimately may save you money. This is especially the case for larger organizations with more text-heavy print jobs. Choosing between an ink printer or a laser printer, however, often comes down to unique factors like your printing needs and budget. Next, let’s explore the key factors to consider when deciding if a laser printer is better than an inkjet for you.

Laser Printer vs Inkjet: How To Choose

Now that you’re more aware of the differences between the common printer types, some key considerations will help you make the right selection. So, if you’re still on the fence between a laserjet printer and an inkjet printer, the following criteria should help you make an informed purchase decision.

Price

One of the most prominent distinctions between ink and laser printers is the price, a common concern for buyers. While laser printers might be more expensive to purchase initially, the ongoing ink cartridge replacement costs and lower repairability of inkjet printers often make them more expensive to own over the long run. 

The higher page yield of toner cartridges means they need to be replaced less frequently, supporting a lower cost per page for laser printers. Choosing to lease or buy the device can have further cost implications for either printer type. 

  • Laser Printers: A more economical solution if you’re focused on the total cost of ownership
  • Ink Printers: A good choice if you have a limited upfront budget 

Speed and Print Volume

Laser printers are known for producing prints more quickly than inkjet printers. This means they are better suited for modern business environments with greater printing demands. Inkjet printers will produce fewer prints in the same amount of time, leading to lower print volumes. 

Advancements in ink printer technology have improved their speed. However, laser printers remain the better option for high-volume printing. 

  • Laser Printers: Faster print speeds for high-volume printing
  • Ink Printers: Slower printing, meaning lower print volumes

Page Yield

Another area where laser and inkjet printers differ is page yield. Laser printers can print more pages with a single cartridge. A laser printer toner’s total yield is between 2,500 and 3,000 pages

In comparison, a typical ink cartridge will yield 250 to 300 pages, depending on the color density of the prints. Thus, for the same printing volumes, you can expect to purchase and replace ink cartridges more frequently than you would toner cartridges for a laser printer. 

  • Laser Printers: Higher page yield, meaning less frequent toner cartridge replacements
  • Ink Printers: Lower page yield, requiring more frequent ink cartridge replacements

Color and Quality

One area where ink printers stand out is the quality and vibrancy of colored prints and images. Spraying microscopic ink droplets onto paper from multiple ink cartridges leads to a wider array of colors, rich saturation, and smooth gradients, making for high-quality color image printing. 

On the other hand, laser printers can create precise text-based or graphic prints and are less prone to smudging, making them a better choice for certain environments. 

  • Laser Printers: Ideal for producing sharp, text-based images or graphics
  • Ink Printers: Better for photo reproduction and color printing

Maintenance

Inkjet printers often require more significant maintenance than laser printers. This is because the nozzles that distribute liquid ink commonly dry and plug up, which requires manual cleaning to avoid compromised print quality. 

Since ink cartridges have a lower yield than toner cartridges, they’ll need to be replaced more frequently, requiring more hands-on maintenance. If an inkjet printer sits idle for a period of time, the ink cartridges may dry up, another reason why they may need to be replaced more frequently than laser printers’ toner cartridges.

  • Laser Printers: Lower maintenance requirements
  • Ink Printers: More frequent hands-on maintenance needs

Document Security 

Modern printers are vulnerable to hackers. If exploited, they can be used as an easy jumping-off point to infiltrate your business’ network. Enterprise-level laser printers support advanced network security protocols that protect companies from exposing sensitive data and prevent network access. Smaller printers typically don’t have these critical capabilities.

  • Laser Printers: More advanced security features for protecting sensitive information
  • Ink Printers: Simpler interface with fewer, less configurable security protocols

Versatility and Special Features

Depending on your specific industry and typical print jobs, you may seek printers with better versatility and unique features to suit your needs. For instance, ink printers can accommodate different paper types like transparencies or glossy photo paper. 

On the other hand, laser printers may offer more advanced finishing options like stapling, collating, or hole-punching. Either way, consider your unique printing environment and determine a list of additional features you’d want a printer to have before making your final selection. 

  • Laser printers: More features for efficient and professional-grade print jobs
  • Ink printers: Greater versatility with different paper types 

MPS Help Manage and Protect Your Laser Print Fleet

When choosing the right printer, the above factors can help you find the best device for your printing needs. But if you’d prefer expert guidance, integrating a managed print services (MPS) partner like ImageOne into your print management strategy can help. 

Businesses across Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and the rest of the country enjoy the benefits of our managed print services, including greater IT efficiency, cost savings, enhanced security, and a better employee experience. 

Want to learn more? Book a call to talk to an MPS expert about pricing and see how much you can save with imageOne’s managed print services

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