Ink Jets Compared to Laser Jets

We’ve been looking at various types of toners and printer accessories in these posts, but there’s one question that we haven’t touched on. We haven’t looked at the difference between ink jet printers and laser printers.

It’s an important question, because these printers work in very different ways, they are based on different technologies, and their parts are never interchangeable.

The Comparison

With all of their differences, laser and ink jet printers share one important similarity: neither is an ‘impact’ printer. Impact printers, such as old dot-matrix models, actually struck the paper with an ink ribbon to produce an image. The process was somewhat similar to a very advanced typewriter. In the more modern printers, nothing ever strikes the paper.

An ink jet printer, as its name suggests, sprays ink from a cartridge onto the paper. The jet of ink is controlled by the microchips in the printer. Ink jets are capable of printing in color or black and white, and can print fairly high-quality graphics. Their main drawbacks are a tendency for the ink to smudge, and a slow print speed.

Laser printers are bigger and more expensive, but they can print more pages, faster, and with less smudging than ink jets. In a laser printer, a laser beam writes the image onto the drum, which them transfers that image to the paper by means of electrical charge; it actually changes the ions in the surface of the paper. Toner is then applied to the paper, where it’s held loosely in place by the differing electrical charges. As a final step, the page is heated to melt the toner into place.

As you see, laser printers are more complex than ink jets. However, the laser accessories (drums, toners, photo units) last longer than ink jet cartridges, and laser printers can use cheaper paper, making them less expensive to operate in the long run.

The bottom line: ink jets are great for low-volume, non-professional jobs. Laser printers are best in high-volume, office environments.

Nomenclature Trivia

You will often hear laser printers referred to as ‘laser jets,’ even though they have no relation to the older, simpler, ink jet technology. The reason for this is based on the printers’ history: ink jets came first, and the term was well known when laser printers arrived. The ‘jet’ attached itself to laser printers, even though it didn’t really fit.

The technology is interesting, but there’s a lot in the names, too.

About Voltexx Inc
One of the leading suppliers of toners, laser cartridges and affordable ink, Voltexx.com has been in the market since 2001. Voltexx caters to private individuals and large businesses. The company’s niche is affordable, brand-name, accessories for printers, copiers, and fax machines. With the 100% satisfaction guarantee and superior customer service, Voltexx is here to stay. You can find out more about this remarkable company at http://www.voltexx.com/.