What is a Laser Printer?

A laser printer is a very common type of computer printer. Its function is to rapidly produce high quality looking graphics and text on paper from images and texts on your computer. Laser printers are very similar to photocopiers only the process that they use to print is slightly different. Most photocopiers are analog photocopiers, which means that the image is produced by a xerographic printing process. In the case of the laser printer the scanning of a laser beam across the printer’s photoreceptor immediately produces the image.

Laser printers are more flexible in the ways they can be employed then other types of printers, which are known as “impact printers.” Unlike impact printers, which are like typewriters, the laser printer can easily mix graphics with text. Another advantage to using a laser printer is that it can also print different fonts and character sizes as well as halftone images. Some models also have the capability of reprinting photographs but don't do as well as a bubble inkjet printer, which are still the industry standard for printing photos.

Laser printers are also less messy to deal with as laser printer cartridges use a powdered toner rather then liquid toner. Depending on what laser printer toner cartridge you use you can print documents in black or white. This means that the image does not smear as it is being printed, as is the case with some thermal printers. The the image can have a higher resolution, a lower cost per page and a quicker print speed. The rapidity of laser printing is due to the fact that it can print an entire page at a time while other types of printers are limited to printing a series of narrow strips.

Laser printers can also print fast or slow depending on what model that you buy. The slower models that are created for home use can print about four pages a minute and are quite cheap. Faster models that are used for commercial purposes can print 12,000 pages an hour.

More About Laser Printers

How do Laser Printers Work?

Laser Printer Printing Speed

Types of Laser Printers

What's Inside Toner Cartridges?

Uses for a Laser Printer

Maintenance of a Laser Printer