Inkjet and Laser Printer Differences

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Although both are digital printing devices, the laserjet printer & inkjet printer are configured differently. The technical systems employed by inkjets & laser printers to print text & graphic images on paper are technically poles away from each other. While both printers conform to a similar system in terms of extracting digital knowledge from the PC, the devices differ in the aspect of transferring digital data on paper or media.

Inkjets

The printing idea was first developed in the 1950s but the same technology only found commercial application in 1970 with the development spearheaded by Epson, HP & Canon. From then on, inkjet printers have become widely used with models ranging from the low cost, consumer models to the pricey giant machines intended for professional printing.

The inkjet printer creates the digital picture delivered from a PC by forcing droplets of ink in to the media. Contemporary inkjet printers employ hundreds, if not thousands of microjets that can deliver millions of droplets per second; to thus guarantee the turnout of picture ideal, printed images. Most commercial inkjets utilize the thermal drop on demand (DOD) know-how which is exemplified by the Canon patented Bubble Jet design. While most models found varying applications for bubble jets, Epson found the piezoelectric DOD know-how much more appealing.

The type of ink loaded with inkjets also varies, ranging from water based inks for thermal DOD inkjets & solvent based inks for the piezoelectric DOD types. Specific applications differ as well. While thermal DOD is common in practically all office printing applications, the piezoelectric DOD is widely used in special applications like outdoor banners & related commercials. Print quality is the turf of Inkjet printers but print speed is still a drawback as it usually takes eons to print a single document.

Laser Printer

The Laserjet printer is something else as the tool employs dry toner powder to print images on paper. The digital knowledge coming from the PC is initially written on the OPC (Organic Photograph Receptive) Drum. Thereafter, toner powder released from the cartridge systematically jumps onto the picture drawn on top of the OPC drum. This is due to contrasting electrostatic polarities charged in to the drum surface & toner powder. But paper is charged with a much higher polarity this drives the toner formed picture to cling to paper as it comes in contact with the drum.

Paper with the formed toner picture then moves in to the fuser assembly that makes use of heat & pressure to affix the picture to paper. In line with the nature of toner, the resultant picture emits a professional sheen that is comparable to those produced by print shops. The prints are likewise permanent (due to heat & pressure) & durable; as well as scratch & smudge proof. While laserjet printers could not beat an inkjet in terms of photograph printing, this is largely compensated in the aspect of print speed as some laser printers can deliver printed pages at the speed of over 50ppm.

Technical difference is irrelevant since in the finish, printing application dictates printer preference. Photographs & graphics are for inkjet printers while all other printing requirements can be effectively handled by a laserjet printer.