Do you know the difference between inkjet and laser printers? Or rather, do you know which one is best for your type of use? If your answer was ‘no’, don’t worry. A lot of people don’t understand the differences very well, but I’ll explain everything you need to know.
Printer ink color format
Before talking about printers, it is important to note that there is a specific type of ink to be used in these devices. Regardless of whether it is inkjet or laser, they all use the CMYK color standard.
The acronym is the combination of the colors cyan (cyan), magenta (magenta), yellow (yellow) and black (black). This combination is mostly used in domestic printers and multifunctionals, but also in devices focused on graphics that use the offset technique — street signs and billboards.
Even though knowing about this color scheme is more useful for designers, it is important to note that the inks installed in the printers follow this standard. Therefore, there are models that have two different cartridges, one black and the other with three different colors, or 4 different ink blocks, which we will talk about in detail below.
inkjet printer
As the name implies, an inkjet printer is a type of equipment that reproduces a computerized image using droplets of ink. This model is the most common for residential use, as it is usually compact in size and easy to transport.
It is important to highlight that this category of inkjet printers includes the Deskjet and OfficeJet versions. The first is easier to see in home use because it is lighter and fits well on home office desks. The second is more robust, requiring a compartment that supports more than 5 kg.
The evolution of this peripheral made the average printing speed also rise. Despite being a little slower than laser models, there are already options that reach up to 55 ppm — pages per minute —, which gives almost 1 sheet per second expelled from the machine.
Another point to highlight in printers is that, currently, there are more models characterized as “multifunctional”. This means that the device is capable of being an input and output peripheral.
In practice, multifunctionals can print, make copies (xerox) and scan. However, there are also some manufactured versions that bring compatibility with the fax option, which is something for very specific and even more corporate use.
Inkjet printers usually have two very common types of color storage for use in printing: cartridge and ink tank. However, regardless of the type, the dye washes out easily with water, and this impacts on the useful life of the print.
Cartridge
Cartridges are accessories that hold the inks to be used in the printer. There are equipment options that support two, which are the deskjet format models, while the officejet support four.
It is important to point out that, regardless of the number of cartridges, the black one will always be separate from the colored ones and with a larger amount of ink in the officejet models. In deskjets, the cartridge is usually compact, with only 2 ml each.
The all-in-one officejet HP 276dw, for example, has a larger ink cartridge. The color compartment has 8 ml, while the black ink option has triple that capacity: 24 ml. All this to account for black prints, which are usually carried out in greater numbers.
Regarding the cost of recharging, I usually buy new refills at stationery stores. The normal version of the black cartridge costs, on average, R$ 160, and each color option for R$ 120. Adding the price of the four accessories needed for printing, the cost is R$ 520.
However, considering my type of use, this expense is incurred only once a year. Therefore, the average monthly cost is R$ 43. This value is still below the cost of the more compact cartridges present in deskjet models, which can cost R$ 60 and have a shorter exchange cycle.
One way to “get around” the cost of cartridges is to buy the XL version. Both officejet and deskjet models are compatible with this alternative. The advantage is that durability increases, even if the cost for this option is a little higher.
ink tank
Ink tank printers — also called ecotank — have an operating format similar to the officejet. They have four compartments for inks, but instead of cartridges, 65ml bottles are used to fill the print tank.
Even though the usability is higher, the cost is lower, and currently ink tank printers are more cost-effective. The time of use of the tank is high, and can vary between 6 months and 1 year, depending on the rate of use.
In addition, the purchase price of inks in this format is lower. The Epson T544 CMYK bottle kit, for example, costs BRL 230. Considering six months of use, the average amount spent can be BRL 38, or BRL 19 extending to 1 year.
Laser
A laser printer works differently than an inkjet. Because it uses carbon powder pigment, the fixation of the color on the paper is more resistant than the droplets of the cheap models.
Therefore, it is very common for printers in this format to be used in offices and public offices. After all, these places usually have documents of high relevance, and need to have a guarantee of conservation, since water does not deteriorate what is printed.
One of the biggest advantages of the laser printer is that this machine was designed to “take the brunt” of a larger workflow. Therefore, it is common for models in this format to have at least 20 ppm in the most compact versions, which can reach 50 ppm.
However, the biggest negative point of this peripheral is the weight, as it can have more than 20 kg. Therefore, it is common to see this static device in a fixed location, or even directly on the floor.
The dye for laser printing is available in the compartment called toner. However, the usage time for printing, depending on the model, can reach 40,000 sheets.
Black and color toner
Black toner is the most common type of toner used in laser printers. Therefore, it is common for machines with this dye format to print the contents only in black and white, something that already meets the demand of those who deal with many corporate contracts.
On the other hand, there are people who need to print graphics and images, and this demands more color options. With this audience in mind, there are manufacturers that have versions that are already equipped with four toners in different colors.
The toner installation process requires attention, as laser printer parts are more sensitive, and their maintenance cost is higher. In addition, the value for recharging is very high, if we compare it with the inkjet models.
Considering the multifunctional laser Brother MFCL8610DW, which is colored, the kit with 4 toners is, on average, R$ 1,500. The fact that it prints up to 40,000 pages makes the final cost minimal, around R$ 0.03 per sheet. However, durability may vary depending on your demand. So, you need to pay attention to whether or not it makes sense for your usability.
toner tank
Toner tank is the ideal solution for anyone who wants to have a laser printing experience, but is still looking for cheaper models. That’s because the type of operation is basically the same as normal toner, but what makes the difference is the refill.
This usage format is already used in the HP MFP 1602W, for example. In a few seconds it is possible to recharge the compartment, with low possibility of damage to the device. The fact that printers with a toner tank only have space for black ink makes it possible to save on the cost of use.
At retailers, the ink tank refill kit costs R$90, and yields up to 2,500 sheets. So it might make sense for businesses with a small to medium impression stream.
Which is better: inkjet or laser?
Both inkjet and laser printer are great peripherals. However, you need to pay attention to understand which fits best in your type of use. Exemplifying with my current use, an officejet meets my need, something that the deskjet was never able to supply.
When I was still attending college — between 2011 and 2015 — a laser printer would be the best option. However, as is already the world standard: university students never have money to spare. So, the way was to get around with the inkjet and avoid going out with the TCC on a rainy day.
However, everything is a matter of aligning the cost with the benefit when purchasing a printer. In my opinion, ink tanks are ideal for anyone who intends to use them for residential work or study.
For those who have offices with a high print flow, it is recommended to invest more and buy a laser printer. After all, it makes no sense to make irrelevant savings and risk losing irreplaceable documents.
