Types of Printer Available Now with Pros and Cons

The whole world is going digital. We are preferring soft copies over hard copies. Still, printers are something that we must need for different purposes. As the purposes are different, the printers also come with different categories. 

There are a lot of categories of printers you will find in the market. In this article, we will be trying to cover all the types of printers available in the market in recent years. Simultaneously, we will tell you the features of these printers so that it will be easier for you to choose the perfect category, in case you are thinking of buying a printer. So let us begin with all these types one by one. 

1. Inkjet Printers

Inkjet are basically home printers. These printers are very affordable to buy. Inkjet printers use very inexpensive ink that makes these printers more affordable to use for home. Though not high in price, these printers are always capable of delivering such prints that are high in quality. These printers are even less expensive than laser printers. Inkjet printers can print both color and monochrome prints. 

Inkjet printers are the most preferable option for home printing for their capabilities. These printers can print photographs also, even in the highest resolution. So you can print colorful photographs at home also. Some inkjet printers are so efficient that they can print on iron – on papers. 

Pros of Inkjet Printers

• Inexpensive printers.
• High quality printing for both color and monochrome.
• Use inexpensive ink. 
• High speed printing.
• Useful connectivity options.

Cons of Inkjet Printers

• Good for only occasional printing.
• Color accuracy is not very high.

2. Laser printers

Laser printers, just like the inkjet printers, are also high quality printers that can print both color and monochrome prints at a fast pace. Because of using a laser beam for printing, these particular printers are called laser printers. This laser beam heats a toner material to embed it onto the paper and create a print. 

Laser printers are ideal for using at home as well as in office as they can do high volume printing. If you have to submit your documents or any bulk assignment for your school or college or office in an emergency, you can use these fast printers to meet your deadline. 

Pros of Laser printers

• Faster than inkjet printers.
• Uses long lasting toner cartridges.
• Perfect for high volume printing.
• Suitable for both home and commercial purposes.
• Offers reliable printing.
• No clogging issues.

Cons of Laser printers

Often uses very expensive ink.

Replacing the toner cartridges is quite difficult.

3. Ink Tank Printers

Ink tank printers are one of the best options for commercial uses. These printers, though a little more expensive than the inkjet printers, are more efficient than any other types of printers. Ink tank printers are easy to operate. They always come in a compact form. If you want to buy a printer for long term usage, ink tank printers are the perfect solution for that. 

Ink tank printers are capable of doing decent quality printing. These printers have good precision. They can type on different types of printing papers as well as on some specific fabrics. 

Pros of Ink Tank Printers

• Good quality printing.
• Handle different types of papers.
• Suitable for mixed purposes.
• High page yield.
• High speed.
• Low cost printing.

Cons of Ink Tank Printers

• Photo printing quality is not so good.
• A bit expensive.

4. All-in-one Printers

All in one or multi function printers are those printers which can do printing, scanning, and copying. These printers often have faxing features also. So with an all in one printer, you can copy your documents, print them, and even send or receive them. Ink tank, inkjet, and laser – all these types of printers can be all in one printer. 

As an all in one printer possesses printing, scanning, and copying features, these printers are bigger than a single function printer. But nowadays these printers come in compact designs. So they are the ideal choice for a small office or small businesses. 

Pros of All-in-one Printers

• Take up less space.
• Affordable price.
• High quality prints and scans. 
• Perfect for small offices.
• Ink tanks are refillable.

Cons of All-in-one Printers

• Bigger in size.

5. Super Tank Printers

Supertank printers are basically one kind of inkjet printer which come in the all – in – one form. You can say this is a subcategory of inkjet printers. These printers have a refillable ink tank which is very large in size. Hence, they are called supertank printers. As these printers have ink tanks instead of ink cartridges, you do not have to replace cartridges again and again while doing printing in high volume. So this type of printer is eco – friendly. 

Supertank printers are so efficient that they can fit well with any type of application used for printing. These printers will remove your hassles of changing ink cartridges frequently. Supertank printers are long lasting printers as they use permanent printhead nozzles. 

Pros of Super Tank Printers

• Perfect all – in – one printer under your budget.
• Compatible with any printing application.
• Have permanent printhead nozzles.
• Use pigment ink.
• Cost per print is low.
• Reduce wastage during printing.

Cons of Super Tank Printers

• Initial investment cost is higher.

6. 3D printers

3D printers are one of the most popular types of printers that come with a complicated technology. If you have any creative hobby, like DIYing, you will just love this category. This type of printers use the technology of layering and slicing and produce 3D objects based on the digital model. They produce these 3D objects on plastic. 

3D printers are very popular amongst artists, engineers, designers, DIYers, and hobbyists. These printers help people in exploring creative ways to think and invent new designs and expand their capabilities. You can produce prototypes, toys, and other items with a 3D printer. 

Pros of 3D printers

• Ideal tool for a creative person.
• Very useful for commercial purposes.
• Can print on various materials.

Cons of 3D printers

• More expensive than other types of printers.

Read- What Epson Printers Can Be Used for Sublimation?

Bottom Lines– Types of Printer Available Now

There are some other types of printers that are more or less popular in the market, such as – dot matrix printer, dye sublimation printers, etc. The types of printers we have mentioned in this article are efficient in different fields. So if you are going to buy a printer, be sure about your needs and make a wise choice after comparing them all.