Inkjet printers operate by propelling variably-sized droplets of liquid or molten material (ink) onto almost any sized page. They are the most common type of computer printer for the general consumer due to their low cost, high quality of output, capability of printing in vivid colour, and ease of use.
Four manufacturers account for the majority of inkjet printer sales: Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Epson, and Lexmark.
Solid Ink Solid ink technology utilizes solid ink sticks in lieu of the fluid ink or toner powder usually used in printers. Xerox claims that solid ink printing produces more vibrant colours than other methods, is easier to use, can print on a wide range of media, and is more environmentally friendly due to reduced waste output.
Laser A laser printer is a common type of computer printer that rapidly produces high quality text and graphics on plain paper. As with digital photocopiers and MFPs, laser printers employ a xerographic printing process but differ from analogue photocopiers in that the image is produced by the direct scanning of a laser beam across the printer's photoreceptor.
Multi-Function A MFP (Multi Function Printer/Product/Peripheral), multifunctional, all-in-one (AIO), or Multifunction Device (MFD), is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting (the SOHO market segment), or to provide centralized document management/distribution/production in a large-office setting.
