When it comes to your printing needs it all comes down to two main options. Will you go the “ink way’ with inkjet printers? Or have you taken a likening to toner and inkjet printers?
Don’t be fooled to think they are the same because these two are very different and with the right information at hand, you will be able to make an informed decision that benefits you and satisfies your printing requirements.
Toner And Ink Cartridges Clearly Defined
Ink cartridges are mostly used in inkjet printers and are known to contain liquid ink. printing with an inkjet cartridge can be compared to writing with a pen on paper, since inkjet printers also creates images by staining ink in a particular shape or form directly onto the page.
Much like a hand applying pressure to the pen when he writes the printer also uses pressure to apply the ink from the cartridge to the paper. Ink cartridges contain water-based ink, which is held in small chambers and then heated in order for it to be dispersed through holes in the cartridge. Ink cartridges are also replaceable and compact as well easy to maintain and use.
On the other hand, toner is used in laser printers and is a fine, dry, carbon-based powder mixed with a polymer as well as pigments for printing colors. These printers do not apply ink directly onto the page but rather create the outline of the image on a roller using electrostatic charge. The outline is covered with toner and then applied to the paper after which a laser is used to burn the toner into the paper. The particles of toner melt due to the heat of the fuser, which causes them to attach to the paper.
Toner cartridges are larger and usually more expensive than an ink jet cartridge. Additionally, cartridges are not just replaceable you can have them refilled by the vendor.
Ink and Toner Cartridges Go Head On Head
Ink comes out top when you look at the costs involved since inkjets are reasonably prices and affordable for the average user. In contrast to this the toner cartridge is quite expensive and you may be scared off by the price but keep in mind you get what you pay for and you may find it’s worth every cent.
Unfortunately, ink cartridges cannot compare to toner when it comes to quality, speed, and efficiency. not that there is anything wrong with the quality of material printed in ink, in fact some inkjet printers print better quality documents on the condition that they are in color and on one page.
Ink may be more user-friendly since they have been around for a while, but more and more people are turning to toner cartridges and laser printing since it is low maintenance, has a much longer printing life and prints considerably faster than inkjet printing.
Toner cartridges are the better choice if aren’t into printing color and you print a lot of documents and generally, you will find inkjet printers used in the home since the volume and speed of the printing are less important than its cost. Laser printing is perfect in busier environments, where speed is paramount.
Compatible Ink And Toner
There are also different labels of inks and toners, which are made by the printer companies themselves and are sold exclusively as part of their brand. They are sold at ridiculously high prices since it is claimed by the makers that the prints will be of better quality just because it’s all one brand.
Meanwhile, there are generic versions of compatible types, which are just like the original ones but with one big difference. You still get the high quality printing that you need but at a fraction of the price. Why not go for cheap ink and toner if compared to expensive ones they perform the same.