Large format laser printer vs inkjet

It can be tricky when deciding whether a large format laser printer or inkjet printer is the right choice for your projects.

It’s crucial when weighing up laser vs inkjet printers, that you consider exactly what it is you’ll be printing, how often you’ll be printing it, and what your budget is, both for the upfront costs of the printer itself and the long-term upkeep.

Luckily, we’ve created a guide to help you choose the perfect large format printer.

What is a large format laser printer?

Large format laser printers melt toner powder onto paper, creating a print. Laser printers like the JETRIX LXi8 UV-LED Printer are a more eco-friendly option, with quick print speeds and long-lasting internal technology. Large format laser printers are used across a wide range of industries and are able to print on a vast selection of both coated and uncoated media including paper, PVC, vinyl and glass.

How does a large format laser printer work?

The laser within the printer creates an electrostatic charge, which transfers toner powder onto the paper’s surface, which is then bonded to the page using heat.

What is a large format inkjet printer?

Large format inkjet printers create vibrant, high quality-coloured images and text documents.

Models such as the Canon IPF PRO-2000 are generally used in industries such as photography, graphic design, architecture, engineering and commercial printing – delivering crisp, clear images and rich colours.

How does a large format inkjet printer work?

Inkjet printers use liquid ink, transferred by a print head that uses dozens of micro-nozzles to deposit microscopic drops of ink onto the paper, producing crisp, clear and precise imagery.

Laser vs inkjet print quality

The quality of a laser vs inkjet printer depends entirely on what it is you’ll be printing.

While it is a common misconception that laser printers are exclusively best for black and white printing, advancements in technology now mean that laser printers are capable of producing impressive medium-quality-coloured images.

However, for those looking to print high-resolution photos or images, inkjet printers still win over laser but may not be a budget-friendly choice if your primary printing needs are document-based.

Speed comparison laser vs inkjet

Inkjet printers at the lower end of your budget are likely to run slower than a typical laser printer, but that isn’t to say all inkjet printers are inherently slow.

When comparing higher-end, office-level inkjets with colour laser AIOs of a similar nature, their speeds are much more closely matched.

However, when looking at bulk printing, laser printers are built for speed. On average, laser printers can print between 15 – 100 pages/minute, whereas average inkjet printers sit at around 16 pages/minute.

Price comparison laser vs inkjet

When looking at upfront costs, inkjet printers can, at a glance, seem like the go-to option, with much lower initial costs than laser printers.

However, cheaper inkjet printers can incur a significantly high cost per page thanks to uneconomic cartridges.

Laser printers also tend to have a longer life span depending on the frequency of use. Laser toner cartridges are pricier than inkjet cartridges however, they print significantly more pages than any inkjet cartridge, saving you money in the long term.

Printer sizes

Inkjet printers are typically more compact in size and quieter in terms of noise output. Laser printers are usually bulkier and can be quite loud.

Which is better, inkjet or laser printer?

When it comes down to which printer is best, it all depends on what you’ll be using the printer for.

Inkjet printer pros:

• Compact and good all-rounder for less strenuous printing loads
• Prints high-quality images
• Cheaper upfront costs

Inkjet printer cons:

• Ink can be expensive long-term
• Slower printing speeds than laser

Laser printer pros:

• Excellent for bulk printing and black-text document printing
• Fast printing speeds
• Low running costs

Laser printer cons:

• Expensive upfront costs
• Can be large and noisy
• Doesn’t produce the highest quality colour images

Browse our range of large format inkjet and laser printers. If you’re still unsure which printer is right for you, contact a member of our team today.