Our printing needs keep growing, which explains the different types of printers available today. Though they’re all designed to print on a substrate, each solves various business needs, including yours.
In this article, we’ll break down all types of printer devices to help you find which fits your needs best. Keep reading to know what features to look for before you buy new printers.
| Different Types of Printers |
| 1. Inkjet Printers |
1. Inkjet Printers
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An inkjet printer uses ink cartridges to spray droplets of ink onto paper and print. It’s a popular option for its great colour printing capabilities, low cost, and easy operation, making inkjet printers suitable for photo and everyday on-demand printing.
It has two types: on-demand that only discharges necessary ink particles, and continuous which produces ink continuously, making it faster but more expensive.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Most affordable printer | ❌ Expensive and fast-drying ink cartridges |
| ✅ Suitable for image and colour-heavy printing | ❌ Slower print speed than laser printers |
| ✅ Little to no warm-up time | |
| ✅ Can print onto any type of paper |
2. Laser Printers
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A laser printer uses an electrostatic digital printing process that combines laser beams, static electricity, and toner powder to produce high print quality quickly. Compared to inkjet printers, this handles high-volume printing better without hiccups, which is why medium to large-sized businesses prefer this printer type over others. Laser printers come in different types: monochrome, coloured, multifunction, duplex, wireless, and network printing.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Laser Printers
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Low cost-per-page | ❌ High upfront costs |
| ✅ Fast print speeds | ❌ Limited printing materials |
| ✅ Suitable for high-volume text document printing | ❌ Has warm-up time |
| ✅ Toner cartridges never dry out, last longer |
3. Solid Ink Printers
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Solid ink printers use solid ink sticks or wax made from non-toxic vegetable oil. It’s a more environmentally friendly option than other types of printer. Solid ink printers melt the wax before transferring the ink onto paper, producing high-quality glossy prints that creative professionals love.
While the results of solid ink printing are stellar, it’s not easily accessible compared to others. They’re also incompatible with photo papers and other specialty papers, limiting their ability to print. Solid ink printers print slowly and require a 10-minute cooldown cycle.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Produces less waste | ❌ Expensive to buy |
| ✅ Fantastic glossy print quality | ❌ Has a long warm-up and cool down time |
| ✅ Solid ink sticks never dry out | ❌ Prone to damage when placed in low-temperature zones |
| ❌ Can’t print on photo and specialty papers |
4. Multifunction Printers
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A multifunction or all-in-one printer can scan, copy, print, and fax documents. Some models may have other unique features such as emailing, internet browsing, stapling, folding, and hole punching.
Businesses with this printer type can unlock multitasking and efficient printing. It’s the only printing device that can perform numerous tasks simultaneously with minimal energy.
Read more: 5 Industries that Use the Most Paper
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Space-saving | ❌ Bulky and heavy |
| ✅ Offers the convenience of using multiple features in one device | ❌ Expensive upfront costs |
| ✅ Saves energy |
5. LED Printers
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LED printers are digital printers that use light-emitting diodes to transfer an entire image or text to the print drum. It’s similar to laser printers, except that the latter use a laser beam instead of LED.
It also has fewer moving parts than the former, making it more reliable and less prone to mechanical damage. In speed and costs, an LED printer offers faster print speeds and lower upfront costs than laser printers.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Faster than laser printers due to fewer parts | ❌ Low-resolution issues |
| ✅ Less prone to mechanical breakdowns | ❌ Specifically meant for high-volume printing |
| ✅ Use less power than laser printers | |
| ✅ More affordable than laser printers |
6. Dot Matrix Printers
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Among the different types of printers, the dot matrix printer is the oldest. It has one or two columns of dot hammers that move horizontally across the paper. These hammers press the ink ribbon onto the paper, leaving a print of a dot. All individual dots combined form the final matrix image.
These types of printer devices are old but offer low initial, running, and maintenance costs. They’re reliable enough to perform in any condition and produce high-volume printing of mailing labels, customer receipts, and multipart forms.
Read more: 5 Solid Reasons to Upgrade Your Office Printer
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Low printing cost per page | ❌ Noisy |
| ✅ Prints on multipart forms | ❌ Low print quality |
| ✅ Reliable and durable | ❌ Coloured printing unavailable |
| ❌ Slow print speed |
7. Thermal Printers
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Thermal printers are the boxy and compact printer types you see in grocery and retail stores used for printing receipts. They have two printing processes: direct thermal and thermal transfer printing.
Direct thermal printing involves a thermal printer’s printhead applying pressure or heat onto chemically treated paper, activating it to produce monochrome text and images. Thermal transfer printing presses wax-coated ribbon onto a medium to transfer ink.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Cost-effective printer | ❌ Poor lifespan of print outs |
| ✅ High-quality printing at fast speeds | ❌ Not compatible with any medium, except thermal paper |
| ✅ Portable, bring it anywhere you go |
8. 3D Printers
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3D printers are the latest addition to the market. These printer types turn digital files or designs into tangible objects through an additive manufacturing process. It works by laying down thin layers of liquid or powdered plastic before combining it with metal or cement.
There are multiple types of 3D printers, and the most common ones are stereolithography, selective laser sintering, and fused deposition modelling. Engineers, designers, and architects use these printer types to create miniature models of their projects.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Print on demand | ❌ Limited compatibility with print materials |
| ✅ Easy to use | ❌ Most outputs require cleaning |
| ✅ Multiple applications | ❌ Design inaccuracies |
| ✅ Strong and lightweight outputs | ❌ Expensive upfront costs |
Shop for New Printers at Busys
With all the printer types explained, choosing the right printer for your printing needs is easier. Whether you need reliable printers for everyday printing or specialized ones for niche uses, narrow down your options while considering printing costs, speed, and volume.
Get your new printers at Busys, Canada’s leading provider of print solutions to small to medium-sized businesses. We have over 100 printer units available for leasing or purchasing, and our team is more than happy to help you decide which unit fits your business best.
Request a quote from us today. Or get a free assessment to find out which type of printer you need.
