There are many types of high-performing printers out there, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. A popular printer type is called the inkjet printer.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Inkjet printers spray colored ink on paper to create accurate reproductions of text or images.
- These printers tend to excel with making color copies of photographs and for other tasks that require vivid color.
- Inkjet printers tend to be less expensive than other types, though the ink cartridge replacements can be costly.
What is an Inkjet Printer?
An inkjet printer is a device that uses ink cartridges to reproduce text and images on paper. These printers work by quite literally spraying the paper with ink. A standard inkjet printer can produce a copy with a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (DPI). You can also cut costs by setting your inkjet printer to auto duplex printing, which is printing on both sides of the paper.
Insider Tip
Inkjet printers are the go-to choice for making color reproductions, due to the fact that these printers can easily mix different-colored ink cartridges to make just about any hue imaginable.
The Benefits of Using an Inkjet Printer
There are several benefits uniquely associated with inkjet printers. You can also use an all-in-one printer and enjoy all these benefits and more. These are some reasons this type of printer tends to be so popular in personal homes, home offices, and even professional settings.
Glorious Color
Inkjet printers are the go-to choice for making color reproductions, due to the fact that these printers can easily mix different-colored ink cartridges to make just about any hue imaginable. This makes them uniquely suited to printing out color photographs. If you are purchasing an inkjet printer, make sure that it includes a trio of ink cartridges in the three primary colors, for the purposes of mixing and producing a gorgeous final product. Color inkjet printers do tend to be slightly more expensive than black and white or monochrome inkjet printers.
Insider Tip
One of the other key advantages of opting for an inkjet printer is that these devices require virtually no warm-up time before beginning to print.
Reduced Start-up Time
One of the other key advantages of opting for an inkjet printer is that these devices require virtually no warm-up time before beginning to print. This is in contrast to laser printers, which need some time to heat up the toner cartridge before use. On the flip side, however, is the fact that inkjet printers are generally slower to complete print jobs than laser printers.
Low Initial Cost
Inkjet printing technology has been around for decades, giving manufacturers plenty of time to source components and perfect designs. In other words, inkjet printers are among the cheapest types available for purchase. You can typically find them costing anywhere from $50 to $100, with some models costing much more. The only downside when it comes to cost is that the ink cartridges will need to be replaced consistently. If you plan on doing a lot of printing, we recommend that you sign up for an ink cartridges subscription service of some kind. These plans are typically offered by major inkjet printer manufacturers, such as HP.
Warning
Color inkjet printers do tend to be slightly more expensive than black and white or monochrome inkjet printers.
F.A.Q.
What is the difference between an inkjet printer and a laser printer?
Simply put, inkjet printers use ink to create reproductions, whereas laser printers use toner. The actual printing process also differs, with inkjet printers splashing ink on the paper and laser printers focusing beams of light on toner.
What are the disadvantages of an inkjet printer?
As for disadvantages when it comes to inkjet printers, they are not quite as fast as laser printers and the ink cartridge replacements can be costly. Due to the nature of ink, the paper can be prone to smudging after being printed.
What uses are best for an inkjet printer?
Inkjet printers excel with color reproductions and with day-to-day printing, such as what can be found in a home office or professional setting.
STAT: Single-ink cartridges were found to have on average 20% of their ink remaining after being disposed of, though actual figures range from 9% to 64% of the cartridge’s total ink capacity, depending on the brand and model of printer. (source)
