The type of printer you have depends on what model you purchased. There are many different types of printers available, including inkjet, laser, dye-sublimation, thermal, and multifunction printers.
Inkjet printers use liquid ink that is sprayed onto the paper to create a printout. They tend to be the most popular type of printer and are usually the least expensive option. Inkjet printers can be slow and expensive to maintain, however they produce superior image quality, and can often handle heavier paper stocks and other specialty media.
Laser printers use toner rather than liquid ink, so they’re faster and better suited for large volume printing. They typically offer higher resolution than an inkjet printer and tend to be more reliable and longer lasting. Laser printers are more expensive, but cost less in the long run since the toner cartridges last longer.
Dye-sublimation printers use special thermal transfer technology to create a highly detailed image with a wide range of colors and even gradients. The drawback of these printers is that the prints don’t last as long and the replacements are much more expensive.
Thermal printers are commonly used for labels and receipt printing. The printouts are generated using special thermal paper that is dark when it’s heated, making it ideal for printing barcodes, text, or images quickly and reliably.
Finally, multifunction printers (often referred to as MFPs) combine all of the features of the other types of printers in one unit. These are great for offices and small businesses, as they offer basic copy, scan, and fax capabilities in addition to printing. They tend to be more expensive than a dedicated printer, but they save on space and money by eliminating the need for multiple units.