Laser printers use an actual laser beam to produce an image of the document your are printing on the printer's photoreceptor or metal drum. A electrostatic charge is created which attract the toner and which is then fused to the piece of paper using a heating element. The use of the laser and this technique is the reason a printer of this nature is called a 'laser printer'.

The benefits of a laser printer make the investment more worthwhile even though an ink jet typically is more affordable. Among the factors that make a laser printer a better option for most businesses and offices are the fact that a laser printer is faster, more precise, and in the end more economical than an ink jet printer.

Laser printers are much quicker at printing images and copies of documents because of the use of laser technology. Since the laser is able to move much faster than the ink jets in an ink jet printer, a laser printer has the ability to make more copies faster.

In addition to its greater printing speed, the nature of the laser's diameter is such that it allows for more accurate and detailed drawing and copying of text and images, all without having to sacrifice any additional ink.

Perhaps the most important factor that makes a laser printer a better choice than an ink jet printer is the fact that over time, they are actually more affordable than ink jet printers are. Initially, a laser printer does represent a greater investment than an ink jet printer does. However over time, a laser printer will be cheaper to maintain. Toner powder is more expensive than ink jet ink, but it does last longer than the ink in an ink jet printer, which has to be replaced more often. This factor makes a laser printer a more sound investment for offices and business that have a high rate of printing documents.

Initially laser printers were more expensive as with most new technology. Laser printers are in fact only slightly more expensive than ink jet printers are. Most would agree that an affordable laser jet printer represents a much more viable option for a business than a high-end, expensive ink jet printer.