A laser printer rapidly produces high quality text and graphics on plain paper. The image is produced by the direct scanning of a laser beam across the printer's photoreceptor (an electronically charged rotating drum coated with selenium). Ink or toner is electrostatically picked up by the drum's charge. The drum then prints the image onto paper by direct contact and heat, which fuses the ink to the paper. Laser printers are utilized for their rapid speed in printing. The fastest models can print over 200 pages per minute (12,000 pages per hour). The fastest color laser printers can print over 100 pages per minute (6,000 pages per hour). Graphic intensity is usually sacrificed for speed.

Definition of an Inkjet Printer

An inkjet printer propels droplets of ink or toner of varying size onto paper. The ink is ejected through either a fixed-head or a disposable head as the paper passes by the head using a roller to move the paper along the contact point. There are three main technologies used in inkjet printers: thermal, piezoelectric, and continuous. Inkjet printers are primarily used for photo printing, as the color intensity has higher quality.

Considerations

Laser Printer Maintenance

Most laser printers use a toner cartridge that combines the photoreceptor or drum, the toner supply bin, the waste toner hopper, and various wiper blades. When the toner is empty, the replacement toner cartridge will automatically replace the other necessary elements. Some laser printers keep count of the number of pages printed from the last service date. On models without a page count, the user must keep track of pages printed or watch for warning signs like paper feed problems and print defects. Life expectancy of laser printers is determined by number of pages, not units of time. Color laser printers may require more maintenance and parts since they contain more imaging components. Maintenance typically includes vacuuming toner and dust from the printer, and replacing, cleaning, or restoring the rubber paper-handling rollers. Fusers may also need replacing, as it melts and bonds the toner to the paper. With the extra mechanics, a laser printer is often noisier than an inkjet printer.

Inkjet Printer Maintenance

The majority of maintenance on inkjet printers revolves around the ink and the probability of the ink drying up. Toners for color inkjet printers hold less ink, therefore need to be replaced often. If the inkjet printer has a disposable head it is supplied as a part of a replaceable ink cartridge. Many ink cartridges contain a microchip used to communicate the estimated amount of ink in the cartridge to the printer; however, these devices have been known to inaccurately inform the user on proper timing for replacement. The microchip is also included in replacement ink cartridges.