Laser vs. Inkjet – What’s the difference?
Although laser and inkjet are both viable options for coding and marking, they’re not always interchangeable technologies, and comparing inkjet vs laser is a bit like comparing chalk and cheese. In other words, they’re similar in their purpose but use completely different technologies to achieve the result you’re looking for. That raises the question, what is the difference between laser printer vs inkjet printer technologies for industrial use, and which would best suit your application?
Laser Coding
Although laser is a relatively newer technology compared to inkjet, it hasn’t taken long for the market to adopt its benefits. The popularity of laser came from several factors, including its ability to leave a permanent, indelible code resistant to elements such as heat and abrasion. Additionally, laser requires minimal ongoing maintenance and no fluid consumables, lowering its total cost of ownership. This is a key distinction in laser ink vs inkjet, as laser systems don’t rely on inks at all, making them a cleaner and more environmentally friendly option.
Laser can mark onto a variety of substrates including glass, plastics, card, film and some metal substrates. It is also the fastest marking solution available on the market, making it ideal for high-speed production lines. Although there is a low total cost of ownership, due to the higher initial capital cost laser is best suited to high output production lines where it can provide a justified ROI.
Explore our range of Domino laser coding systems for different laser
coding options.
Inkjet Coding
In comparison, inkjet is the older technology but is still the most popular coding solution to date, primarily due to its versatility. When comparing inkjet vs laser, inkjet stands out for its flexibility across applications. With multiple types of inkjet technologies, such as continuous and thermal inkjet, the technology possesses the ability to print a wide variety of fonts, graphics and even barcodes onto almost any substrate, speed and orientation. Consequently, it can be used right throughout production on both primary and secondary packaging.
Although inkjet printers do require consumables, the wide range of inks available allows it to suit a variety of applications. Additionally, the quick drying time of the inks means it’s also ideal for fast-moving production lines.
When weighing up laser vs inkjet coding, cost and flexibility come down to application fit. Laser typically offers lower ongoing costs and minimal maintenance, making it well suited to high-volume, consistent production, while inkjet provides greater flexibility across substrates, formats and changeable data, making it a more adaptable option for varied production environments. You can explore our range of continuous inkjet coding systems and thermal inkjet printing options to see how each technology is applied.
Which solution is right for you?
After comparing inkjet and laser it’s clear that there are some similarities between the two technologies. It’s also clear that one is not better than the other. They’re both feasible options, but they’re most effective when used for their relevant applications. Understanding the difference between laser ink vs inkjet and which is best for you comes down to your specific production requirements. To make the right decision on which technology to choose, the best approach is to first consider the application of the code. Then, determining which option will be the most viable for your budget based on the cost of capital and total cost of ownership.
Explore our full Domino coding and marking range. If you’re looking to identify the most suitable solution for your production environment, get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements.
