Laser printers and inkjets both have strengths and weakness that make them suitable for different situations. Ink tank printers are less obvious when compared to laser printers, because they offer higher page yields and lower costs. It is difficult to distinguish between ink tank and laser printing, as they both have unique advantages and disadvantages.
The Overall Findings
Ink Tank Printers
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It is great for both monochrome printing and color printing.
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Perfect for photo printing
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Printing speeds are slower.
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Regular cleanings of waste ink are necessary to prevent ink clogs.
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Supports multiple paper types
Laser Printers
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Monochrome printouts are excellent.
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Some are capable of decent color printing, but that isn’t a strong point.
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Printing speeds are incredibly fast.
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Maintenance issues are reduced.
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Paper types are limited.
Both printers perform well in environments where high volumes of printing are required. Ink tank printers use tanks that are larger than traditional ink cartridges. This is why they print so many pages more between refills. Laser printers also fall into this category, since their cartridges can often print thousands of sheets.
Laser printers can be more costly than inkjet printers initially, but they are both more expensive. Laser printers are less expensive to maintain and have higher page yields. They also print faster and need less maintenance.
Ink tank printers are better at printing photos and can be used with a wider variety of papers. Color laser printers can print photos and color documents, but they aren’t as good as ink tank printers in that area.
Ink Tank Printers are Better for Performance and Quality.
Ink Tank Printers
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Printing is instant, but the overall speed of printing is slow.
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High DPI models provide good monochrome printouts and text reproduction.
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Color printing of the highest quality.
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The models with more than four tanks of ink can produce excellent photo prints.
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Supports many different paper types and sizes.
Laser Printers
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It can take a while to get the first print, but it’s quick once they start.
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The monochrome printout is excellent with sharp text reproduction.
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Color printing on models that support it.
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Printing photos is not the best.
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Supports only certain sizes and types.
Both laser and ink tanks printers can produce high-quality prints, but they have some important differences. Ink-tank printers begin printing instantly, while laser printers require some time to heat up. This makes the former better for intermittent small jobs. Laser printers have a much higher rate of pages-per-minute, which makes them ideal for high-volume environments requiring a lot printing.
High DPI ink-tank printers can achieve similar results. Ink tank printers, on the other hand, offer more flexibility with their ability to print in more sizes and types.
Some laser printers accept a range of paper sizes, but they usually don’t have as many options as ink tank printers. Laser printers aren’t as good at printing photos, either. Ink tank printers are better at producing photo prints with more depth and color.
Laser Printers Have Higher Initial Costs but Lower Ongoing Costs
Ink Tank Printers
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Ink refills can be expensive.
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The cost per print varies depending on the model.
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Maintenance is required.
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Purging the ink does waste ink, even though it is less likely that ink will dry out in comparison to traditional inkjets.
Laser Printers
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Toner cartridges can be very expensive.
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The cost per print is low because the toner cartridges yield high quantities.
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It requires very little maintenance.
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Toner doesn’t dry out.
Laser printers and ink tank printers cost more than traditional inkjet printers. However, laser printers have a higher price tag. They’re also costly to refill when the ink or toner runs out, but that’s because they both have high page yields due to the amount of ink that a tank printer can hold and the toner that’s typically included in toner cartridges. Laser printers are less expensive than inkjets because they have higher page yields.
Maintenance: Laser printers require little to no maintenance
Ink Tank Printers
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It is important to print regularly in order to avoid the printheads drying out.
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Printheads can clog up and ink tubing, which requires additional maintenance.
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Ink is wasted when printheads are cleaned regularly.
Laser Printers
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Maintenance is minimal, if not non-existent.
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You don’t need to print to keep the printheads from drying out.
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Inkjets tend to be less durable.
The printheads of ink tank printers must be cleaned regularly, just like traditional inkjets. While the ink isn’t as likely to dry out because the tanks are airtight, the printheads can still dry out and clog. It is also possible for the tubes that feed printheads to clog. This requires extra maintenance. When an ink tank printer isn’t used regularly, it’s important to purge the system regularly to avoid clogs and drying out; that process can waste a significant amount of ink over time. Laser printers require significantly less ongoing maintenance, primarily because the toner can’t dry out, and there aren’t any nozzles or tubes to clog.
What kind of printing do you need?
Laser printers and ink tanks are both well-suited for high-volume environments. However, they have slightly different requirements. Laser printers are best suited to those who need to print monochrome documents and want speed. Ink tank printers are the best choice if you want to print both color and monochrome files or if you need the flexibility of printing photos on different paper types and sizes.
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