Most people have a printer at home, or
have access to one, but don't really understand how it works. Laser and
inkjet printers can now produce prints that look very similar and last
for similar periods of time, but they use very different technology to
do it. Laser printers tend to be faster and more costly up front, while
inkjets usually produce higher quality prints. Knowing how your printer
works can help you decide which applications it's best for.
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Printing Methods
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Laser printers, first invented in 1969, use a light-sensitive drum to roll powdered plastic ink onto a sheet of paper. The ink stays in place via static charge, then a hot roller melts the toner, fusing it to the paper. Inkjet printers use liquid ink, spraying microscopic droplets onto the paper. The ink is often still slightly wet when the page emerges. Some manufacturers use a thermal process to release the ink, while others use a piezoelectric process.
Cost
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Inkjet printers often seem less expensive than laser models, since their upfront purchase cost is far lower. Inkjet printers also use less-expensive cartridges. However, according to "PC Magazine" and Lumiere Photo, inkjet printers often cost more in the long run. Their smaller cartridges last a shorter period of time, and can increase operation costs significantly over the life of the printer.
Print Quality
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Laser printers produce sharp, readable text pages that don't smear or blur in contact with liquid, but don't usually measure up to inkjet printers for photo printing. Some specialty laser printers can produce photographic-quality prints. These tend to be very costly. As of 2011, many low-end laser printers still use only black ink. Color models cost significantly more. Inkjet printers do well for producing color images and photos. Most produce sharp, clean text, but at a slightly lower quality than a comparable laser printer.
Longevity
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Print longevity depends on the type of ink used, the printer technology and the paper the image is printed on. In general, laser prints last longer than inkjet prints. Some inkjet photos can fade in just a few years. However, the advent of better quality inkjet paper and pigment-based printer ink has improved these printers' ability to produce long-lasting prints. Neither printing technology lasts as long as offset or photographic wet-process printing, and all printers must use the correct paper to produce a lasting image. Conventional copy paper often yellows and fades quickly.
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