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What's the difference between laser and ink jet printers?

I want to buy a home color printer and use the color printouts for artwork, crafts, decoupage projects, so I don't want the images to bleed when I put on a varnish. Is the laser toner printer a better bet for this type of work? Or the ink jet? Thanks...

Public Comments

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_printer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkjet_printer Laser printer's are smaller than inkjet printers. Inkjet uses ink to print, laser doesn't.
2. The above statement that lasers are smaller than inkjets is not quite right, especially for color lasers vs. inkjets. Laser printers use toner, which is basically small particles of plastic which is fused to the paper by melting it into the paper's top layer using heat & pressure which makes it very stable and solid, especially concerning any liquids. Inkjets use liquid ink to make their prints and are susceptible to water, since they are usually water based inks, and could potentially smear from the varnish, but I don't know for sure. You could always try a sample to see. Laser prints much more stable and are not affected by water, but most standard inkjet prints will wash off or streak from water, but again there are special inks and papers when properly combined can be submerged in water and not be affected, but I imagine they would be a bit more money. Personally, I'd go with the laser printer. Less problems overall. Best of luck.