Printer Types Explained: Inkjet, Laser, Ink Tank, Photo and All-in-One

1What this lesson covers

This lesson explains the main printer types you will meet at home, at school or in a small office: inkjet, laser, ink tank, photo and all-in-one. Knowing the type tells you which supplies to buy, how to look after the printer and which lessons on this site apply to you. If you only remember one thing: inkjets and ink tanks use liquid ink, laser printers use powder called toner, and “all-in-one” means the printer can also scan and copy.

2Before you start

You don’t need any tools or software for this lesson. Have your printer in front of you, or look up a photo of your model. The model name is usually printed near the control panel or on the top edge, and a fuller model number is on a label on the back or underneath.

Brands describe their products in different ways, and some printers fit more than one category. A home ink tank printer, for example, is also an inkjet, and it may also be an all-in-one. That’s normal: the categories describe different features, not separate families.

3The five types in plain English

Inkjet printers spray tiny drops of liquid ink onto the paper through a part called the printhead (the row of microscopic nozzles that place the ink). They are common at home because they handle color documents and photos well. Ink usually comes in small replaceable cartridges. Inkjets that sit unused for weeks can develop dried nozzles, which shows up as streaks or missing colors.

Laser printers use a dry powder called toner. A light-sensitive part called the drum attracts toner in the shape of your page, and a heated part called the fuser melts it onto the paper. Laser printers are popular in offices and with students who print a lot of text, because they are quick for documents and the toner does not dry out. Many home laser printers are black-and-white only (called monochrome), although color models exist.

Ink tank printers are inkjets with large refillable tanks instead of small cartridges. You pour ink from bottles into the tanks, and the levels are visible through a window on the front. They suit households that print a lot of color pages. Refilling takes a little care, which is covered in how to replace an ink cartridge or refill an ink tank.

Photo printers are inkjets designed for pictures. Some use extra ink colors for smoother skin tones and gradients; compact models print only small photo sizes. Many general inkjets also print good photos on photo paper.

All-in-one printers (also called multifunction printers) combine a printer with a scanner and copier, and sometimes a fax. You can spot one by the hinged lid on top with a glass plate underneath. Some also have an automatic document feeder (a tray on top that pulls pages through one at a time for scanning or copying).

4How to tell which type you have

Work through these checks in order. Each one narrows things down.

1. Look for a lid with glass underneath. Lift the top of the printer gently. You should see: either a flat glass plate (it’s an all-in-one with a scanner) or a closed top with no glass (it’s a printer only).
2. Look for ink windows on the front. A row of clear windows showing colored liquid means it’s an ink tank printer.
3. Check the supply door. Open the front or top access door with the printer switched on, as the manual describes. Small cartridges that clip into a carriage mean an inkjet. A large, heavy cartridge that slides in, often with a handle, means a laser printer with toner.
4. Read the label. The model name and the box often say “Laser”, “LaserJet”, “Ink Tank”, “EcoTank”, “MegaTank”, “Photo” or “All-in-One”. Product names vary by brand, so treat the words as hints.
5. Confirm on the manufacturer’s site. Search your model on the manufacturer’s official support page. You should see: a product page that lists the printer type, its supplies and features such as scanning or double-sided printing.

5What the type means for everyday use

Your printer type changes a few everyday habits:

• Supplies. Inkjets need cartridges or bottles of ink; laser printers need toner and, on many models, a separate drum unit. Always match the supply numbers listed for your exact model.
• Idle time. Inkjets prefer to print something every week or two so the nozzles stay moist. Laser printers can sit unused without that problem.
• Paper. Inkjets handle glossy photo paper; most laser printers should not be used with inkjet photo paper, because the heat can damage it. Check the manual’s paper list.
• Care. Inkjets have printhead cleaning and alignment tools in their settings. Laser printers mostly need dust kept out and the occasional new drum. See printer maintenance for a routine.

6Check that it worked

You’ve finished this lesson when you can say three things about your printer: its type (inkjet, laser, ink tank or photo), whether it’s an all-in-one, and its model name. With those, you can find the right manual, the right supplies and the right lessons here. A good next step is printer parts and terms.

7Troubleshooting

• The label doesn’t say what type it is. Use the supply door check: liquid ink in cartridges or tanks means inkjet; a powder cartridge means laser.
• You can’t find the model name. Look on the back or underneath for a label with the model and serial number. Don’t remove covers to look for it.
• The manufacturer’s site shows several similar models. Compare photos and the exact characters of the model name, including letters at the end. Small differences can mean different supplies.
• It has a scanner but no feeder on top. That’s still an all-in-one. You’ll scan single pages on the glass.

8When to get more help

If the printer has no visible label, was given to you without its manual, or is an office machine you lease or share, contact the manufacturer’s support site with any number you can find, or ask the person or company responsible for it. Leased office machines are usually serviced under an agreement, so don’t open them beyond paper trays and supply doors.

9FAQ

Is an ink tank printer the same as an inkjet?

Yes, an ink tank printer is a type of inkjet. The printing method is the same; the difference is that ink comes from large refillable tanks instead of small cartridges.

Can a laser printer print photos?

Color laser printers can print images, and they are fine for charts and simple pictures on plain paper. For glossy photo prints, an inkjet or photo printer with suitable photo paper is the usual choice.

Do all printers scan?

No. Only all-in-one (multifunction) printers scan and copy. If yours has no lid with glass underneath and no document feeder, it’s a printer only.

Why does my inkjet need cleaning when I haven’t printed much?

Ink can dry in the nozzles when an inkjet sits unused. Printing a page every week or two and using the built-in cleaning tool when needed keeps it healthy.