What Is a Laser Printer?

What is a laser printer? While known for fast printing speed and crispness of the text and images, the true definition of a laser printer is based on the method with which the printer transfers images to paper.

What it does

A laser is used to scan the images or text, which then projects the pattern of the document onto the rotating printer drum. Electrical charges draw the pattern on the drum, and the charged portions attract the toner. The images are transferred from the drum to the paper when they are pressed together.

Why it is different

Different models and brands of laser printers work at different paces. The document itself can also impact printing speed. Black and white models print the fastest, putting out as many as 200 pages each minute. Color laser printers have a top speed that is about half that of monochrome printers. Both of these figures are for the top-end machines that are notable for their speed.

Where it is used

Laser printers are very popular in business settings because of their low cost per page. Paying attention to potential part failure and taking those costs into account can further reduce business costs. Purchasing a duplex laser printer can also lower the cost of paper, but it slows down the expected printing speed.

With proper selection, a laser printer is an economical choice for rapid production of high-quality text and image documents. Opt for trusted name brands for the best printing results.