Although both are digital printing devices, the laserjet printer and inkjet printer are configured differently. The technical systems employed by inkjets and laser printers to print text and graphic images on paper are technically poles away from each other. While both printers conform to a similar process in terms of extracting digital information from the PC, the devices differ in the aspect of transferring digital information on paper or media.
Inkjets
The printing concept was first developed in the 1950s but the same technology only found commercial application in 1970 with the development spearheaded by Epson, HP and Canon. From then on, inkjet printers have become widely used with models ranging from the low cost, consumer models to the really expensive large machines intended for professional printing.
The inkjet printer creates the digital image delivered from a PC by forcing droplets of ink into the media. Contemporary inkjet printers employ hundreds, if not thousands of microjets that can deliver millions of droplets per second; to thus guarantee the turn out of picture perfect, printed images. Most commercial inkjets utilize the thermal drop on demand (DOD) technology which is exemplified by the Canon patented Bubble Jet design. While most models found varying applications for bubble jets, Epson found the piezoelectric DOD technology much more appealing.
The type of ink loaded with inkjets also varies, ranging from water based inks for thermal DOD inkjets and solvent based inks for the piezoelectric DOD types. Specific applications differ as well. While thermal DOD is common in practically all office printing applications, the piezoelectric DOD is widely used in special applications like outdoor banners and related advertisements. Print quality is the turf of Inkjet printers but print speed is still a drawback as it typically takes eons to print a single document.
Laser Printer
The Laserjet printer is something else as the device employs dry toner powder to print images on paper. The digital information coming from the PC is initially written on the OPC (Organic Photo Receptive) Drum. Thereafter, toner powder released from the cartridge systematically jumps onto the image drawn on top of the OPC drum. This is due to contrasting electrostatic polarities charged into the drum surface and toner powder. But paper is charged with a much higher polarity this drives the toner formed image to cling to paper as it comes in contact with the drum.
Paper with the formed toner image then moves into the fuser assembly that uses heat and pressure to affix the image to paper. In line with the nature of toner, the resultant image emits a professional sheen that is comparable to those produced by print shops. The prints are likewise permanent (due to heat and pressure) and durable; as well as scratch and smudge proof. While laserjet printers could not beat an inkjet in terms of photo printing, this is largely compensated in the aspect of print speed as some laser printers can deliver printed pages at the speed of over 50ppm.
Technical difference is irrelevant since in the end, printing application dictates printer preference. Photos and graphics are for inkjet printers while all other printing requirements can be efficiently handled by a laserjet printer.
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