Inkjet or Laser Which Is Better For Your Business
Planning to lease or purchase a printer, copier or multi-function machine? Not sure which is better, more efficient or cost-effective, an inkjet or a laser unit? Here is some information to help you decide:
Inkjet:
An Inkjet copiers/printers work by shooting the ink on a page to produce the document. They are usually a smaller machine that ink is stored in a smaller ink cartridge. They have a low printed page count making them more expensive as well as slower at printing.
Laser:
Laser copiers, printers, and multi-function units use what is called an electrostatic digital process where the dry ink powder is then heated up or what is called fused to produce the document. They produce a much higher-quality document than an inkjet, as well as faster and, are well suited for a business that will be doing a lot of printing which is cost-effective in the long run. One downside is that the machines are initially more expensive than an inkjet unit.
So Which One Fits Your Needs Inkjet Copiers or Laser Copiers?
When first comparing the two, it may be assumed that the inkjet will cheaper. While the initial cost can be less, that may not truly be the case. So let’s compare.
Let’s Look At The Purchase Cost:
Most inkjet copiers/printers have a less expensive upfront cost than laser copiers/printers. Some of the reasons for this is that they are usually smaller machines that are primarily for desktop or home office usage. Though the cost may be an important factor this may not be a determining factor.
So Let’s Look At The Printing Costs:
Using an inkjet printer the cost per page can cost upwards to $0.20 per page. A major reason for this is that the ink cartridges used are smaller in size and tend to need to be replaced more often making them non-cost-effective for busy office usage. Whereas laser printers will range closer to $0.06 per page to operate. Lazer copiers can also need additional maintenance cost which may require replacement fuses, but these costs are easily absorbed with the lower cost of printing over inkjets.
So How About The Printing Speed:
A laser printer is faster than an inkjet which can prints around 6 PPM compared to a basic laser copier/printer which can be printing 20 PPm or more. In an office environment with several individuals waiting for documents, a slower speed can be a hindrance to your productivity.
Is The Quality Of The Printed Work Important:
When it comes down to the print quality an inkjet cannot be compared to a laser printer in quality. The main reason for this is that an inkjet uses a spray and dry process, where a laser uses a more precise ink powder and heat fusion.
What About Reliability:
When comparing a laser copier/printer a digital laser is a more reliable machine than a rotating optical component machine. When comparing inkjet to a laser (regardless of the type of laser unit) a laser is going to outlast an inkjet.
When it comes to your business printing needs a laser is almost always the best bet. To help you determine the options in a machine Able Business Systems can help you select the best strategic choice to grow your business.