There are many types of printers to choose from when you’re in the market for a new printer. As a consumer you have a lot of decisions to make. Do you only need black and white printing? Color? What about laser vs. Inkjet technology? Is wireless network printing important to you? What about multifunctional capabilities?
When you start to consider all the types of printers available to you as a consumer the choices can become overwhelming. I’m here to help make the choice easier for you. I won’t try to guide you towards one type of printer over another, rather I will give you the information you need to make the decision that’s best for you and your business.
Ultimately your choice will depend on what you intend to do with the printer, what your output is each month, and how many other people will also be using it besides you. In this article I will give you an overview of the types of printers on the market, and then you’ll have a much better idea of which machine you need for your office.
Three Main Types of Printers
Essentially, the types of printers available on the market right now include: inkjet, laser/LED, and solid-ink.
Inkjet Printers
An inkjet printer works by shooting ink through microscopic holes in a print head for the purpose of creating an image. The number one reason why you would choose an inkjet printer over other types is because of it’s superior photo printing ability.
There’s nothing better than an inkjet printer when it comes to blending colors. A few laser printers can produce photo prints of comparable quality, but those are are usually the very highest end machines.
Another reason why you might want to choose an inkjet printer over other types is if you want to print on something other than paper. Inkjet printers will gently print on almost anything.
On the downside Inkjet Printers are expensive to run & difficult to fix.
LED/Laser Printers
Truth be told, very few businesses would find an inkjet printer sufficient for their needs. The standard business powerhouse machines are LED and laser printers. These printers work by using the laser to send an image to a rotating drum. The laser-beamed image attracts toner, which is then transferred from the drum onto the paper.
These types of printers are preferred in the office because they are much faster than inkjet printers, and are superior when it comes to printing crisp, clear text. While these printers are more expensive to purchase, in the long run you will be saving money because the cost of toner is much less than the cost of ink.
Solid Ink Printers
This is a type of printer you may not even have heard of before, because only Xerox sells them. Solid ink printers work by melting down wax-like blocks, turning them into semi-liquid ink. That ink is then sent through tiny holes in a print head and transferred onto paper.
Solid ink printers used to the best office solution for color prints, before color laser printers became a viable alternative. These types of printers are well suited for a smaller office looking for a printer that’s faster than inkjet, but easier to use than a laser printer.
Types of Printers: Conclusion
These are the main types of printers available to you for typical business needs. If you would like more specific help on finding the printer that is right for you and your business, please contact me directly using the form on the right sidebar.