When printing with an inkjet printer, liquid ink is sprayed onto the paper through microscopic nozzles which is why inkjet printers are best used for high resolution photos for color depth and tonal range. Most inks of inkjet printers are also fade resistant. After printing, you have to wait for the ink to dry on the paper to avoid smudging. The time required to dry depends on the ink and type of paper used. The downside is that since it uses liquid ink, the ink tends to dry out if the printer is not used often.
Laser printers use toners which is a powder form of the colors. When printing, a drum unit melts the toner powder onto the paper with heat. Laser printers are great for printing documents, text and medium quality photos for personal use like family photos. These printers were built for commercial use as they are great for fast, bulk printing. They have now become quite popular for home use for economical reasons.
Inkjet printers tend to be smaller, lighter and cheaper than lasers but they have an average life span of 1-3 years compared to 2-5 years for lasers. Inkjet inks can be more expensive but using remanufactured inks can reduce this cost.
Both are great printers based on the purpose of use. The best would be to own 1 each : Laser black and white for everyday printing, inkjet for occasional color photos. If you are looking to buy a printer or inks, please feel free to contact us to guide you in making the right purchase.
