Inkjet vs Laser Printers: Which Is Right for Your Project?

Asking which is better, a laser or inkjet printer, is like asking who’s better, the Rolling Stones or Miles Davis. At face value, the options do the same thing—print or play music. But upon further examination, you notice significant differences in what they provide. Continue reading this article to take a closer look at inkjet vs laser printers and decide which is the right equipment choice for your business.

Which Is Better: A Laser or Inkjet Printer?

The honest answer is that one is not intrinsically better than the other. Choosing a side in the inkjet vs laser printer debate comes down to determining how your business plans to use the printer. Let’s look at a few of the most common differentiators that help consumers decide which printer best suits their needs.

Print Speeds and Volume

Inkjets take the printing speed round in the inkjet vs laser printer showdown. Laser printers can print up to 100 pages per minute (ppm), while the typical inkjet tops out around 16 ppm. If you operate in an office setting that requires high-volume printing capabilities, an inkjet can leave you feeling like you can’t get no satisfaction.

Print Quality

What you’re printing determines the type of printer that’s best for you. Monochrome laser printers are the solution for you if your printer is for little more than text and basic documents that need to be painted black and churned out quickly. Color-capable laser machines produce satisfactory colored reports and medium-quality images, but may leave you wanting beyond that.

However, inkjet printers typically produce higher-quality images if you need your printer for photo printing. Specialized photo inkjet printers are designed to create vivid pictures with wide color ranges and tonal depths.

The Cost of Laser Printers vs Inkjet Printers

If you’re deciding which is better, a laser or inkjet printer, you shouldn’t use price as an indicator. Though you most likely have budgetary restraints, the price tag doesn’t mean one is better for your needs than the other. The upfront cost of a typical office inkjet printer is substantially lower than for a laser machine. While that may seem great, there’s more to consider.

The ink cartridges required to print with inkjets are much more expensive than toner cartridges for laser printers. The cost per page of laser printing and laser toner provides long-term cost savings for businesses that print many standard documents. But if your operations call for the higher quality color prints of an inkjet, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality for ink cost savings.

Budget-Friendly Options

If the cost of new printing equipment puts too much pressure on your budget, you can lease inkjet and laser printers. With leading printer manufacturers like Canon, Kyocera, and Konica Minolta available, you’re sure to find a machine that fits your operations.

Used and refurbished inkjet and laser printers are cost-effective ways to add to or upgrade your office equipment. If you’re still unsure which type is best for you, buying a previously owned machine can help you lower your costs while deciding which is better.

Still Weighing the Pros and Cons of Inkjet vs Laser Printers?

Superior Office Solutions leases a wide range of printers and office equipment. We’re here to help you decide on the printer that best suits your business.

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Toner vs Ink

It’s more than the machine that determines the quality and usefulness of prints. As the name would suggest, inkjet printers use liquid ink. When transferring text and images to paper, laser printers employ a powdered pigment known as toner.

Pros of Toner

One of the most significant factors of choosing laser machines in the inkjet vs laser printer debate for speed is toners. Toner enables printing speeds that are second to none. Additionally, toner provides precise, clear, and sharp text.

Pros of Ink Cartridges

One of the most noticeable advantages of ink is that it dries relatively quickly on paper pages. This helps produce cleaner inkjet prints that are smudge-free. Ink cartridges are also small and easy to handle and replace.

SOS Is Here To Help You Determine the Superior Office Printing Solution

Since 1999, SOS has helped businesses make the vital decision of inkjet vs laser printer. We offer equipment from the most reputable brands in the industry and back our products with a 5-year like-for-like replacement guarantee if we’re unable to repair your device.

We’re happy to help you evaluate the long-term cost of laser printers vs inkjet printers and toner vs ink to ensure you choose the best equipment for your organization. We have a large selection of production, multifunction, desktop, and wide format printers. Reach out to us today for help choosing your next printer.