How does an inkjet printer work?
Thanks to a balance of affordability and printing quality, inkjet printers have become a staple in homes and offices worldwide. But how do inkjet printers actually work?
In this quick guide, we’ll explain the mechanics behind the technology, compare inkjet and laser printers, and offer tips to help you get the most out of your printer's performance. Whether you’re in the market for a new machine or simply want to learn more, keep reading for valuable insight into the inkjet world.
What is an inkjet printer?
In a nutshell, inkjet printers work by using cartridges to spray tiny droplets of ink directly onto paper. While this concept emerged in the 50s, it wasn't until much later that engineers refined the process for practical use, with inkjet printers gaining prevalence in the 90s and beyond.
These systems revolutionised office printing by offering a quiet alternative to dot matrix printers, their noisy predecessor, which quickly made them popular. But inkjet technology also offers high-quality colour printing, making it a great choice for producing graphics and photographs. Because of this versatility, inkjet printers have become essential to both home and office settings around the world.
How does inkjet technology work?
If you’re still wondering ‘But what are inkjet printers?’, don’t worry. We’ve broken down the way they work into the series of steps they use:
- Preparation: The printer receives data from your computer about the digital text or image file and prepares the ink cartridges and paper, determining the exact position and colour of each ink droplet needed.
- Print head movement: The print head, containing hundreds of tiny nozzles, moves back and forth across the paper.
- Ink ejection: As the print head moves, it ejects microscopic droplets of ink through the nozzles onto precise locations on the paper to recreate images or text.
- Colour mixing: For colour prints, the printer combines droplets of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to create the desired output.
- Repeat: The paper advances slightly to the next line, and the process repeats until the entire image or document is printed.
What’s the difference between inkjet and laser printers?
When it comes to choosing a printer, you’re likely looking at inkjet or laser printers as your options. So how are they different? Essentially, each system uses a different kind of technology to operate. As we’ve already outlined above, inkjet printers rely on liquid ink to complete their printing process. Laser printers, on the other hand, use a dry toner powder to fuse text or images onto paper.
Deciding between an inkjet and a laser printer ultimately depends on your specific needs. Here are the advantages of each type:
Benefits of Inkjet Printers:
- Lower initial investment: Generally, inkjet printers cost less upfront compared to laser printers.
- High-quality colour images: Inkjet printers excel at producing vibrant and detailed colour prints, making them ideal for photos and graphics.
- Compact design: These printers tend to be smaller and more space-efficient.
- Perfect for home or small offices: Inkjet printers are well-suited for lower print volumes and diverse printing tasks.
Benefits of Laser Printers:
- Optimised for text-based printing: Laser printers produce sharp, clear text, making them perfect for documents.
- Higher print speeds: These printers can handle large print jobs quickly and efficiently.
- Ideal for high print volumes: Laser printers are built for higher print volumes and larger office environments.
- Cost-effective toner replacement: Toner cartridges last longer and reduce the cost per page over time.
For a more in-depth comparison, read our dedicated guide [link].
Which paper is right for your inkjet printer?
Selecting the right paper is crucial for getting the most out of your inkjet printer performance. Inkjet-specific paper – available in a range of finishes including glossy, matte, photo, and more – is designed to properly absorb liquid ink for superior print quality.
Your printing needs also affect which paper you should use. For example, if you’re printing photos or other high-quality graphics, glossy paper is the best choice to enhance colour vibrancy. But if you’re only printing text, matte inkjet paper offers quicker drying times and a clean, crisp output. Make sure to do some quick research before printing to get the best results.
Why choose Brother?
At Brother, we’ve established ourselves as leaders in the market by offering a variety of reliable and versatile printers across the board. Our inkjet range is designed to meet diverse printing needs while delivering exceptional quality and performance.
But what’s more, our commitment to excellent customer service means that we’re “At your side” to provide assistance throughout your printer's lifecycle, even after purchase. When you choose a Brother inkjet printer, you invest in a device that combines quality, reliability, and ongoing support – all in one package.
Explore our inkjet range.