What is the difference between inkjet and laser printer

Very often, before buying a universal printer, many people start to get confused in a large assortment of technology, not knowing exactly which model and with what opportunities they should choose. No wonder: the current market of printing devices offers a huge number of printers with different functions and printing technologies. Studying all sorts of models, you are likely to ask yourself: which printer is better, laser or inkjet? To begin, we recommend to understand the principle of operation of these devices and find out all the advantages and disadvantages of both technologies.

We decide on the choice

People buy a printer or MFP for different purposes. Professional photographers prefer models for high-quality photo printing, the same goes for photographic laboratories, photo studios and design agencies. Office printers are purchased by managers based on their criteria - the capabilities of the cartridges, the availability of the function of the CISS, the print speed. But most buyers choose universal printer. It is important for them that the device combines the main functions: printing text files, documents, photos of various formats and qualities.

If everything is extremely clear with a printer for narrow tasks (after all, the choice is made based on a specific criterion), then the universal model that matches all parameters will have to be searched. You can certainly pay attention to the finished multifunction devices, but they are expensive, and the copier with a scanner may not be useful to you. Nevertheless, we advise you to determine what exactly you will need a printer for:

• for the home - printing documents, text files, books, magazines;
• office needs;
• photo printing (amateur or professional);
• for study (listing of diploma and term papers, essays, checklists, notes, etc.).

Are the purchase goals more or less clear? Then we choose the appropriate printing technology, carefully weighing all the pros and cons.

How inkjet printers work

Inkjet printing is considered the most common in the world. At one time, inkjet printers noticeably pressed matrix. In addition, it is with inkjet printers that color printing and photo printing “without leaving home” have firmly entered our daily lives. It is cheaper, more practical and more convenient.

How do they work? If in traditional matrix devices the image was methodically applied to the ink ribbon using the finest needles, here the principle of operation is slightly different. In order to obtain a finished image, inkjet printers have special elements called a nozzle (or nozzle). These are small holes that are extremely difficult to see with the naked eye. They are located directly in the printhead of the printer, where the ink tank is also located. It is through the nozzles on the paper that ink is transferred. Each ink droplet of paint has a volume of just a few picoliters.The diameter of the nozzles and, accordingly, the color drop, is negligible, comparable to the thickness of a human hair! Try placing a picture printed on an inkjet printer under a microscope, and you will notice that it is composed of a huge number of tiny dots.

The number of nozzles can be different - from 12 to 256 pieces, it all depends on the purpose and class of the printer model, as well as the manufacturer.

Under the holes (nozzles) there are small cavities, where the drops of paint from the main tank go. The paint is extruded using two methods.

1. Piezoelectric. It's very simple: above the nozzle there is a special piezocrystal, which is supplied with electric current. After supplying the current, the piezoelectric element begins to change its position, is extended or drawn out. As a result, the pressure in the area around the nozzle increases, which leads to the formation of a drop. A drop of ink under pressure is pushed onto the surface of the paper. Piezoelectric technology is more economical and is characterized by a high degree of reliability.
   

2. Thermal. In inkjet printers, where the thermal method of forming a drop is used, the nozzle device is slightly different.There is a very small heating element, capable of heating to maximum temperatures (100 °) under the influence of an electric current. High temperatures promote the formation of gas bubbles directly in the ink. These very bubbles push paint drops through the nozzles onto the paper. The thermal method is convenient and efficient, printing speed and printer performance are at the same time excellent. However, due to heating to high temperatures, the print head often fails quickly, and the entire printer has to be repaired.
   

Exists two ink storage options in inkjet printer.

1. The ink bottle is located directly inside the print head of the device. Therefore, if it is necessary to replace the cartridge with paint, we change the whole head.
   
2. Separate removable ink storage tank. The print head of the printer is enriched with ink through a kind of "capillary network."
   

How laser printers work

The laser printing can be quite both color, and black-and-white. Dye - toner - reminds in its composition not liquid, but powder inks. A key element in the design of a laser printer is photosensitive photodrum. It looks like a metal cylinder with a semiconductor coating. A semiconductor is sensitive to light, and it is on this property that the whole principle of operation of a laser device is based.

The drum has either a positive or negative charge. Charge depends on coronator - tungsten wire with gold or platinum plating. Under the influence of current, an electric charge arises, forming an electromagnetic field, which is reflected on the photodrum. Instead of a coronator, a device that creates an electromagnetic field can serve charging shaft. It looks like a rod of metal, covered with excellent conductors - for example, rubber or foam rubber.

Laser printing technology

Next, the algorithm of the laser printer next.

1. Thanks to the laser and the optical system of the mirrors, sequential exposure of the image takes place. First of all, the laser beam hits a certain point.
2. In the area where the laser hit, the charge changes (it becomes opposite to the charge of the photosensitive photodrum).
3. Points are starting to form an invisible image.
4. The magnetic shaft contacts the photodrum: a certain amount of toner (or coloring matter) is taken.
5. The toner is attached to the charged areas of the drum, the uncharged remain empty.
   
6. Under the drum paper is placed. After a period of time, a soft application of toner begins on the surface of the paper.
7. After the initial application of toner, the paper is sent to the printer's “thermal oven”, where it heats up to high temperatures (approximately 200 °).
8. Toner is fixed on paper due to the maximum temperature and pressure in the furnace.
9. Then the sheet with the pressed toner and the finished image comes out of the thermal section and goes to a special tray.
10. If the print is not monochrome, but color, then this process is repeated 4 times (that is, four-color toner is already applied).

Inkjet vs. Laser: Pros and Cons

So a laser or inkjet printer? Both have their positive and negative sides. Let's compare both types by several basic criteria in order to understand the difference and find out which one is better.

Price specifications

If you compare the cost of an inkjet and laser printer,then the answer will be obvious: even a high-end “struzynik” with a bunch of opportunities will be cheaper than an average laser printer. However, not everything is so rosy. The fact is that the maintenance of an inkjet printer will cost a tidy sum. You will regularly have to purchase a set of cartridges, and the cost of one standard set of ink cartridges in a half or two years will exceed the initial cost of the printer itself.

The cost of one print on a laser printer is much cheaper.

Another important point: inkjet models are very demanding on the quality of the loaded paper. In order for a print (for example, a document or photo) to be as crisp and colorful as possible, you will have to use the best grade paper, which will also lead to the next expenses. “Lazerniki” are not so sensitive to the quality of paper carriers and are able to realize their full printing potential on the most ordinary paper in the office.

Print quality

The difference between the print quality of both types of printers is not very clear. However, it is considered. that the “inkjet” prints text, photos, banners, labels, postcards, etc. equally well in high quality and high resolution.But the photo printing at laser printers is implemented much worse: color toner is applied worse to the surface, and as a result, the images are not so saturated and juicy. Generally, color rendering is lame. But the undoubted advantage of a laser device is the excellent stability of printed images to light and water. The laser also prints text documents in excellent quality at high speed.

Print speed

By this criterion, the comparison is clearly in favor of laser printers. The middle class laser prints about 15 pages in one minute. The speed of the "jet" depends on a number of factors: mode, print volume, resolution. If you want to print a text document in excellent quality or a photo in maximum resolution, the speed of an inkjet printer is quite low. In addition, the laser device is designed for more printing and less frequent change of consumables.

Consumables and refill cartridges

The main consumables for laser devices are toner. Powder toner cartridge It is recharged on the strength of three or four times, after which it is recommended to change the entire drum.The obvious minus of the toner is that it is toxic, and during operation it also releases ozone into the atmosphere. Toner is usually refilled by specialists, so in case of exhaustion of the next toner you will have to go to the store or service center for a new one or for refilling.

Inkjet printers in turn work ink cartridges. They are easy to purchase and refill. However, the filling process itself is rather dreary: syringes, ink cans, numerous stains from paint. Given not the largest volume of the cartridge, it will be necessary to repeat the procedure quite often. The best option is a continuous ink supply system. Its main advantage is the low cost of prints and a huge resource of ink without the need to purchase cartridges.

Epson has implemented the function of the CISS in the form of ink tanks built into the design. Ink tanks are much cheaper than replaceable cartridges, have a large resource, they are convenient to use and they do not stain hands with paint.

EPSON L132 inkjet printer with removable ink

Environmental friendliness

When asking what printer to buy, laser or inkjet, think about such an important aspect as environmental friendliness.The fact is that the heating elements in the laser device interact with the toner when the current is applied. Toner, as noted above, is toxic, and it is undesirable to inhale its microparticles. Also during printing from "lazer" ozone is released in considerable quantities, which adversely affects the environment.

Opportunities

If you need a printer with universal functions, you want to print documents for study or home needs (print sites, term papers, abstracts, documents) and are not ready to spend big money, then choose an inkjet printer. With a small load, you will not spend a lot of money, but the device will last a long time and will be pleased with the quality and stability of work. In addition, the "jet" is well manifested in photo printing. High-quality inkjet printer prints color photos perfectly in high resolution, transmitting details and rich color to the maximum. Of course, color cartridges will have to be changed quite often, but this will more than pay for the excellent quality of the color rendition of images. Laser models, alas, are not so good at this. In addition, inkjet devices allow you to print on various media, whether rolls, banners,envelopes and labels. What is not a reason to open a home photo lab?

Summary: inkjet printer is optimal both at home and in the office. Professional color "jet" will be completely indispensable in the photo studio.

Laser monochrome printer useful in the office or at home. Everything here is ideal for standard office needs: high speed printing to get a plump stack of papers with documents, contracts, orders, books and research papers. Ability to print large volumes and stable operation of the device. Also looks attractive record-breaking low cost per print. Having filled a cartridge once, you can print a large number of sheets in excellent quality.

Summary: the operation of black-and-white and color “laser” is most justified in the office space, rather than at home. It prints very mediocre photos, and the maintenance and cost of the printer itself is quite high.

So a laser or inkjet printer? As you can see, there is no definitive answer to this question. We found out how these printing technologies are different from each other and figured out some of the nuances. Both types of devices have their pros and cons.You will only have to decide for what purposes the printing technique will be used and, having analyzed all the pros and cons, choose the ideal option.