Common Laser Printer Questions

The review team are often asked general questions about laser printers. In this section we hope to answer some of the more common laser questions we've been asked. If you have any more laser printer questions just ask.

Why are they called laser printers?

Laser Printers get their name from the Laser Light used in the printing process. Lasers are used to charge the printer drum unit. The charged printer drum unit passes over the printers toner cartridge, attracting toner onto the drum. Toner is then transferred onto the paper by a combination of heat and pressure.

Laser Printers Heat Up
Be careful where you place them
ensure all laser printers are well ventilated.

laser Printers are Hot under the Collar

The heating of the laser toner explains why Laser printers can generate more heat than other printer types. If you make sure that your printer is well ventilated you'll help keep the heat down and your printers lifespan up. When you remove paper after a printer paper jam BEFORE it has been heated you will notice it smears - The laser toner has not been heated. be careful with 'wet' toner - It's messy and full of chemicals you don't want on your hands.

Laser Printer History

The first Laser Printer was made IBM in 1975 but these were huge mainframe printers not available to home or small office users. In 1984 Hewlett Packard introduced the HP Laserjet printer Series - The first laser printer aimed at the personal and office printer market. The other printer manufacturers were quickly on the bandwagon and now the home printer buyer has more than 10 recognised laser printer manufacturers to choose from.

How Long Lasting are Laser Printers?

Print Capacity / Printer Rating : A Laser Printers durability or lastability is measured in many ways. Some manufacturers and printer reviewers favour weekly or monthly 'pages printed' figures. Rating should be a measure of all the printers parts, from the toner cartridge use to the number of thousand pages the printer fuser is rated for. Laser Printers are like cars - different printer parts need checking and replacing at different intervals.

Replacement Laser Printer Parts

Make sure you investigate the rating of all laser printers parts before purchasing. In high use printing environments you will need to replace drums, fusers, kits, feeders, etc. Don't be fooled into thinking that you just plug laser printers in and occasionally feed them toner cartridges - After a year or two of expensive printer part replacements the main chasis and the control panel may be the only original part remaining.