Choosing a Printer

Written By Bob Soule

Inkjet Printers: Versatile and Compact

Inkjet printers spray liquid ink directly onto the page, producing sharp, vibrant prints—especially for photos and detailed graphics.

Pros:

  • Excellent print quality for both text and images

  • Compact and affordable upfront cost

  • Can handle a variety of paper types and sizes

Cons:

  • Ink cartridges can be expensive over time

  • Slower print speeds compared to laser printers

  • Best for light to moderate printing volumes

Best for:

  • Home users

  • Students

  • Occasional photo printing

  • Households printing less than 300 pages per month

Ink Tank (Inkwell) Printers: High Volume, Low Cost

Also called “ink tank” or “continuous ink supply” printers, these models use refillable ink reservoirs instead of small cartridges.

Pros:

  • Extremely low cost per page

  • Fewer refills—great for high-volume printing

  • Ideal for offices or households that print daily

Cons:

  • Higher upfront price than basic inkjets

  • Slightly larger footprint

  • Still slower than laser for large batches of text-only pages

Best for:

  • Small businesses

  • Schools or community groups

  • Households printing 300–1,000+ pages per month

Laser Printers: Fast and Professional

Laser printers use toner powder instead of liquid ink, fusing it to paper with heat. They’re the go-to choice for fast, high-volume document printing.

Pros:

  • Very fast print speeds

  • Crisp, smudge-free text

  • Lower cost per page for black-and-white printing

Cons:

  • Higher initial cost for color laser models

  • Not as good for photo-quality printing

  • Can be larger and heavier

Best for:

  • Offices with high text document output

  • Businesses printing 1,000+ pages per month

  • Users who need speed and efficiency over photo quality

How to Decide

When choosing a printer:

  1. Estimate Your Monthly Page Volume – This is key to picking a model that can handle your needs without driving up costs.

  2. Consider Print Quality vs. Speed – If you want lab-quality photos, inkjet or ink tank is better. If you print mainly documents, laser is more efficient.

  3. Factor in Total Cost of Ownership – Look beyond the purchase price. Ink/toner costs over a year or two can outweigh the printer’s initial cost.

Bottom line:

  • Under 300 pages/month: Standard inkjet

  • 300–1,000 pages/month: Ink tank (inkwell) printer

  • 1,000+ pages/month: Laser printer

Choosing the right printer means balancing print volume, quality needs, and long-term costs. Get it right, and your printer will be a reliable, cost-effective tool for years to come.

Bob Soule
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