What is a laser printer?

A laser printer is a common form of computer printer that use non-impact photocopier technology in which no keys strike the paper.

When a document is sent to the printer, a laser beam uses electrical charges to “draw” the document on a selenium-coated drum. Toner, a dry powder form of ink that sticks to the charged picture on the drum, is then applied to the drum. The toner is applied to a piece of paper and fused to it with heat and pressure..

In the mid-1980s, the laser printer became popular as a standalone printer for use with personal computers. It usually took the place of a dot matrix printer or a non-impact inkjet printer. Laser printers are still frequently attached to a single PC, but many are also linked to local area networks (LAN), which support workgroups or entire departments.

In some circumstances, a laser printer is utilised as a multifunction peripheral that can print, scan, photocopy, and fax. These printers are referred to as multipurpose printers (MFP). Their model numbers typically include MFP or MFC for multifunction centre.

How a laser printer works

Laser printers are suitable for usage in both a home office and a small company office. An Ethernet connection is generally used for office connectivity. A cable or Wi-Fi connection is used to connect a printer to computing devices in a home office or small business. Wi-Fi is also used to link mobile devices to printers in order to print from them.

Color laser printers are more expensive than monochrome laser printers since they can handle both black and white and colour printing. Laser printers are typically used for printing, although newer all-in-one printers can operate as a printer, copier, scanner, and fax machine. Many have easy-to-use touchscreen screens.

The following steps detail how a laser printer works:

1. A photo, graphic, or text image is supplied to the printer, which starts the process of transferring that image to paper by combining positive and negative static electric charges.

2. A positive charge is applied to the revolving drum.

3. The image is converted into a laser beam by the system’s circuits.

4. The laser beam bounces off a mirror and onto the drum, creating an image by burning a negative charge in the shape of the image.

5. The drum then collects the positively charged toner from the toner cartridge. The toner adheres to the drum’s negatively charged image.

6. The paper that enters the printer is negatively charged.

7. As the paper passes over the drum, the negative charge of the paper pulls toner from the positively charged drum; the toner practically rests on top of the paper.

8. The charge is released from the paper, and a fuser permanently bonds the toner to the paper.

9. The printer releases the printed paper.

10. The electrical charge from the drum is removed, and the excess toner is collected.