Selecting the right printer ink is much more than just choosing something from the types of ink offered by your chosen brand and going from there.
Selecting the right printer ink is much more than just choosing something from the types of ink offered by your chosen brand and going from there. For North American corporations and businesses alike, it can make a great deal of difference in workplace productivity, efficiency, and costs.
While inkjet printers are still a popular choice, many are shifting towards laser printers with toner cartridges. To find out which one is best for your business, it's important to understand the different types of printer ink, their unique uses, and limitations.
Let’s find out how businesses can enjoy high-quality printing and cut down operational expenses by choosing the right printer ink.
What is Printer Ink and Why Does it Matter?
Printer ink is a semi-fluid or liquid substance that makes the transfer of images and text onto different types of paper possible. The two main types of printers—inkjet and laser printers— use two different kinds of cartridges to print. Inkjet printers use ink while laser printers use toner cartridges. These two types of ink result in similar outcomes with certain differences.
Learn more: What Is the Difference Between Toner and Ink?
Inkjet Printer vs. Toner Printer
Inkjet printers, as the name indicates, use ink cartridges for printing. The printer sprays tiny droplets of ink onto the paper to create images and text as required. Its printing technology uses the thermal inkjet technique to vaporize ink particles. These particles create bubbles which then present on paper as droplets. The cycle repeats thousands of times per second to create clear and accurate prints. Inkjet printers typically use three or four inkjet cartridges.
On the other hand, toner printers, also known as laser printers, use a dry powder made from granulated plastics as ink. The laser creates an electrostatic charge on the drum to attract hundreds and thousands of toner particles which then create images or text as required for printing purposes.
Image Source: Canva
The Four Main Types of Printer Ink: Pros and Cons
Now that we know about different types of printers and printing technologies, let’s discuss the main types of ink used, their applications, and their limitations. We’ll also tackle some of the pros and cons of different types of ink for printers so you can identify what suits your business needs best.
1. Dye-Based Ink
🎨 Best for: Photo printing, design, and illustration printing
Dye-based inks are made of water-soluble dyes that are either plant-based or synthetic. The dye is mainly dissolved in a liquid carrier such as water. It’s best for photo printing due to its surface tension properties. Additionally, it is easily absorbed and gives your print the vibrant colors that make pictures pop. Though affordable, these inks are sensitive to humidity, light, and ozone exposure.
2. Pigment-Based Ink
🎨 Best for: Professional printing, long-term printing
Pigment-based inks are a result of organically synthesized pigments, encapsulated in a resin suspended in liquid. The size of their molecules and chemical integrity give this ink its durability against ozone and humidity, making it ideal for professional printing. Pigment-based ink can, therefore, be best used for long-term documents such as invoices and books used in schools and offices.
Image Source: Canva
3. Solid Ink
🎨 Best for: Image printing, large-format printing, graphics printing
Also known as hot-melt ink, solid ink is a resin-based ink with a waxy consistency producing minimal waste. It’s ideal for full-color image printing, large-format printing, and graphics printing for its vibrant output. These are cost-efficient and represent accurate colors on paper, a good choice for sustainability-focused businesses.
4. Toner
🎨 Best for: High-volume printing in offices
Majorly composed of microplastics and coloring agents, toner is a dry powder ink used in laser printers. It’s ideal for high-volume printing in home offices, small businesses, and other professional environments. It’s a cost-effective option for large-scale printing needs.
Note: Printer inks are customized for specific printer models and using incompatible ink can adversely affect printing quality and speed. To ensure optimal performance, it’s best to use the printer manufacturer’s recommended compatible cartridges.
Image Source: Canva
Matching Ink to Your Business Needs
Understanding ink quality, the different types of printer cartridges such as ink and toner cartridges, and how these impact image quality and printing speeds is important for businesses to improve efficiency and produce great quality prints.
To make the choice easier, we’ve broken down ink recommendations for different industries:
- Photo-heavy businesses: If you own a marketing agency or run a photography studio, then dye-based ink is the best for you. Businesses that rely on photo printing can benefit most from dye-based ink’s ability to produce sharp and colorful images.
- Long-term documentation: Law firms and businesses that provide financial services involved in contracts, invoices, and other long-term documentation creations can use pigment-based ink due to its good resistance against fading.
- Eco-conscious companies: Solid ink comes in minimal packaging, unlike other inks packed in multiple individual cartridges. This makes solid ink an ideal choice for small businesses or eco-conscious companies looking for sustainable printing options.
- Large-scale printing needs: Used for laser printing, toner is a convenient option for enterprises, corporate offices, and printing shops. It’s cost-effective, offers high-speed printing, and has a high yield; best for high-volume printing and large print jobs.
Choose Integr8 for Your Printer Needs
At Integr8, we can help you find the best printers and printer supplies your business needs for smooth operations. Our line of enterprise-level printers from HP, Canon, Konica Minolta, and other trusted brands provide top-notch performance for high-quality printing outcomes. Partnered with managed print and IT services, we offer a variety of solutions for all kinds of document management, software integration, and printing needs.
Our highly skilled team can match different printers to the types of ink to your business needs. Whether you’re looking for new cartridges or printers from different manufacturers, we’ve got you covered. Let us help you cut down costs without compromising print quality or speed.
Do you know which ink is best for your business? Talk to us today for a free quote!
