The Inkjet printer vs laser printer debate rages on. The problem compounds if you want to use them to print high quality photos. With so many choices, it’s no wonder that users are overwhelmed, but ear not, we’ll walk you through the differences, so you know which printer is better suited for your requirements.
Inkjet Printer for Photo Printing: The Ultimate Photo Quality?
Since long, for photo quality, inkjet printers have been the darlings of homes or offices. The reason behind this is simple: inkjet technology could provide more detailed and variegated colours by using spraying and tiny droplets of ink. It becomes useful when working with photos, since you need rich colour gradients and smooth transitions between shades.
An inkjet printer for photo printing excels at capturing these nuances, making it the best photo quality inkjet printer for producing professional-looking images. Inkjet printers can handle a lot of different types of paper, which can also make a difference in the result.
Photo papers need to be glossy, matte, or some other type of coated paper. So, if you need to print out high resolution photos with sharp detail and true to life colour accuracy, an inkjet printer is what you are looking for.
For those seeking a best quality inkjet printer, the market offers a range of choices. Their reputation is for exceptional photo printing. They can produce stunning prints with a resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, which is just what you need for photo printing.
Laser Printer for Photo Printing: Can It Compete?
Laser printers are frequently praised for their ability to quickly process text-rich documents; however, you may wonder if laser printers can handle such a delicate task as photo printing. There is a short answer, yes, but there are some limitations.
A laser printer for photo printing uses toner rather than ink, which is a powder-based substance that is heated and fused to the paper. It’s quick and efficient, but usually nowhere near as detailed or as vibrant as an inkjet printer will be.
In fact, a colour laser printer for photos can produce decent prints, but the results usually lack the depth and rich tones that inkjet printers can achieve. Laser printers can’t offer you fine details and the colour graduations.
But if you’re printing a handful of photos, and that too for a limited time, a LaserJet photo printer could fit the bill for how fast and how durable it is.
Inkjet Printer vs Laser Printer: Key Differences
Print Quality:
Inkjet printers are the clear winner when it comes to photo printing. Inkjet printers have the capacity to mix a wide selection of shades and seamlessly combine them to provide high quality photos. An inkjet printer can print an exact copy, whether you are printing a portrait or a landscape.
On the other hand, laser printers are not usually programmed to do the special considerations necessary for photo printing. There are some things that you just can’t print on a laser printer, some of which are still better done digitally. Some high-end laser printers have improved colour printing capabilities, they can be a good consideration, but for occasional photo printing jobs.
Speed and Efficiency:
Laser printers are known for their high speed. Printing big texts and simple graphics, laser printers are faster than inkjet printers. If you’re printing large quantities of documents along with a few photos, a good laser printer might be more efficient. Laser printers also use less maintenance than inkjet, and don’t experience ink drying.
Cost Per Print:
For photo printing, inkjet printers tend to be much more expensive than laser printers. Ink cartridges can be expensive except when you are printing photos often. While laser printers are more cost effective for printing large volumes of text or graphics, toner or drum cost do add up with printing photos.
Paper Handling:
One of the many advantages of inkjet printers for photo printing is their ability to work with a wide range of paper types and sizes including glossy photo paper. The fact is that many inkjets feature trays designed specifically to hold photo paper, which is necessary if you like to print very high-quality photos.
Laser printers take standard paper sizes, but don’t do so well with specialty paper, like glossy or photo paper and the print quality isn’t quite as high. An inkjet printer is more versatile if you’re more focused on high quality photo prints.
Recommended Inkjet and Laser Printers for Printing Photos
Let’s look at some models for photo printing that stand out in Inkjet printer vs laser printer.
Photo Printing Inkjet Printers
Canon PIXMA TS7650i Inkjet 3-in-1 Multifunction A4 Colour Wireless Printer – White:
For those who expect both functionality and quality, a Canon PIXMA TS7650i is worth considering. It features wireless printing, scanning and copying, as well as impressive photo printing. It boasts up to 4800 x 1200 dpi so that you can print crisp, vibrant photos. This makes it one of the best photo quality inkjet printers on the market.
Brother MFC-J6957DW 1200 x 4800 dpi A3 Wireless Multifunction Colour Inkjet Printer:
The Brother MFC-J6957DW is the one you should go for if you want to print large photos or documents. It handles a wide range of papers, and it even prints up to A3 size. Since its print resolution of 1200 x 4800 DPI produces prints that are as detailed and as vibrant as lab prints, it’s used by professional Photo Labs.
Photo Printing with Laser Printers
HP Laserjet Pro MFP 3102FDW Wireless All-In-One Printer:
This reliable LaserJet photo printer has a nice balance between text and photo printing. While this isn’t the best if you need to print out occasional photos (hey, an extra thousand prints on the side as a bonus are nice) it’s fantastic for those who want to print out documents and the occasional picture. Photos print well enough, and it’s an extremely efficient all-in-one printer.
Xerox B Series B235V A4 Wireless Multifunction Laser Printer:
The Xerox B Series B235V is another option for those seeking a good laser printer. Better photo prints aside, it’s good for printing occasional photos and print text particularly well.
Conclusion: Inkjet Printer vs Laser Printer for Photo Printing
In the Inkjet printer vs laser printer debate, inkjet printers are the superior choice for printing high-quality photos. With better colour reproduction, detail, and versatility, an inkjet printer for photo printing is the clear winner for those who prioritise photo quality.
Laser printers are good for printing decent photos but are better at doing text heavy printing tasks. If you print photos less frequently and want something more efficient, then look at a LaserJet photo printer.
However, you’re best served by the option that suits your needs best. In most cases, an inkjet printer is the best investment if you’re a photographer or someone who prints out photos frequently.