If you have worked in an office in the last decade or so then you have probably used a laser printer, you may even have a laser printer in your house. Laser printers are great pieces of printer technology, the quality they can print is just as good as most other printers when it comes to monochrome documents (black and white) and the best thing is the amount of prints they can do before the toner runs out, making them generally more economical than a inkjet printer.
Printing with a Laser Printer
So how do these magical devices work? Well that’s what we’re here to talk about. Understanding how your printer works could help you solve problems with it and maybe even save money in the future.
A laser printer usually has the following basic parts that enable it to print: A photoreceptor drum, lasers or LEDs, toner hopper and a fuser. This is where it gets a bit complicated, but I’m sure you’ll be able to follow. A laser printer uses static to create images on the paper you’re printing onto, the process is as follows.
Laser Printer Printing Process
- The whole photoreceptor drum is given a positive charge.
- The laser or LED is give negative charge to the areas in which the image is being printed, a good way to think about it is that the laser is etching away the image of what you’re printing with a negative charge. You are then left with a positively charged background and a negatively charged version of your image or document on the drum.
- The printer then covers the drum in toner dust which is charged positively. The toner sticks to the negatively charged areas and does not stick to the positive areas, so your image is then left in toner dust on the drum.
- Your positively charged paper is then pressed against the drum and the negatively charged toner is transferred to the paper.
- The paper is then passed through the fuser and is heated up so that the toner is fused into the paper fibres.
- You end up with your freshly printed document or image.
- The printer discharged the drum ready for the next print.
It can sound a bit complicated, but in very basic terms the laser printer burns toner dust onto your paper in the right places.
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Tags: How Does It Work, Laser Printer
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on October 8, 2011 at 6:43 am
I got one laser printer but really didn’t know how it works before.
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on October 9, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Now that Paul has shared us the whole process maybe you can apply maintenance on it. Cleaning and checking up its condition is not a bad idea specially when you’re using you’re printer everyday.
on October 8, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Nice article Paul, I am using samsung laser printer regularly, but now I know the whole process.
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on October 9, 2011 at 10:53 am
That is super information! Thanks for sharing! I’m going to Tweet about your blog.
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on October 10, 2011 at 2:43 am
Hi Paul. Thanks a lot for sharing this nice info! Love it!
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on October 10, 2011 at 3:53 am
Wow, that was interesting!
You’d never think it’s that complicated when all you do is press a button and the printed paper comes out so easily.
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on October 11, 2011 at 12:58 am
I love laser printers. There’s just something great about spending hours working on an essay or document, then having it sitting warm and fresh in the printer tray within about 10 seconds. Kind of makes your work seem a bit pointless. At least there isn’t the noise and running ink of an inkjet printer either.
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on October 12, 2011 at 12:13 am
We have this in my shop.. This is really very cool and very portable.. I can’t imagine hoe can they create such a very amazing printer.. Thanks for the post here! Keep posting some more!
on October 12, 2011 at 12:17 pm
The whole printing process is based on charged particles attracting each other. Well concept and really awesome design of the HP laserjet, which I regularly use. Thanks for reminding me the basics.
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on October 15, 2011 at 5:50 am
We use the laser printers regularly but we don’t know how they operate and this is one of the best post, which describes it.
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on October 17, 2011 at 11:22 am
Laser printer is a friendly stuff. I been using this for a long time, and It is easy for me to fix some problems..
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on October 21, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Currently, I’m using 4 in 1 printer and still happy with it. But now that you’ve shared the best features of a laser printer. I might consider changing my printer again! I really like to invest my money to great technological gadgets which I can use for my activities of course. I hope you’ll share more!
on October 24, 2011 at 8:09 am
I have both a laser printer and photo printer. Laser is best for printing documents, while photo printers are best for printing images. Buy a printer that fits your needs best. If you 4 in 1 does the job, then stay with it.
on October 25, 2011 at 12:30 am
I agree with you Paul, Laser printer is much better.
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on October 25, 2011 at 6:21 am
Now a days many options are available with printers, which make multiple tasks easier.
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on October 26, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Absolutely makes sense… Why do I need to buy a printer that won’t really meet my standard, my needs. I’m totally satisfied with my printer because I can maximize all features for my own advantage. Anyway, let’s see, I really want to have a laser printer LOL
on October 26, 2011 at 10:16 am
I’m using Canon Pixma iP4820 Inkjet Printer, what I want about this printer is that it can print 150 sheets in dual paper trays which makes our work in the office twice faster than using the old inkjet printers. Though the problem is it’s not all in one, good only for printing rush documents I mean bulk papers.
on October 26, 2011 at 2:02 pm
I bought my laser printer because of the ability to print duplex (double-sided). This helps to save paper, and it still prints fairly fast. I was never a fan of the all-in-ones, and prefer a dedicated, printer, scanner, and fax machine.
on October 27, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Laser printer is nice. But I don’t find it really convenient as I need speed in printing, not only quality of the printing. Thanks for sharing this.
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on October 28, 2011 at 8:29 am
Laser printers are fairly fast in printing text. I can print double-sided fairly quickly – but then again I am used to waiting for a photo printer to print a photo.
on November 23, 2011 at 1:50 am
i’m having problem with my printer right now. i guess i really need to buy a new one.
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on November 23, 2011 at 3:53 am
Printers especially deskjet needs regular maintenance and I hope that it will be rectified.
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on December 1, 2011 at 7:26 am
i think i need a all-in-one printer since i have lots of paper works and i love printing photos, and oh scanning too.
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on December 10, 2011 at 1:52 am
Laser is best for printing documents, while photo printers are best for printing images. I have both a laser printer and photo printer. Printers especially deskjet needs regular maintenance and I hope that it will be rectified. Though the problem is it’s not all in one, good only for printing rush documents I mean bulk papers.
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on December 12, 2011 at 8:29 am
I also have a separate laser and photo printer. As you mentioned, the laser is great for documents, while the photo printer is great for images.