Black and White Laser Printers - Monochrome Laser Printers

A black and white laser printer is beneficial to have in any business environment. There are a few different styles of monochrome laser printers with varying features and price points. Be sure to read below to understand what makes a black and white (B&W) laser printer distinct from other printers, as well as the difference in printing capabilities.

What Is a Black and White Laser Printer?

A black and white laser printer, also known as a monochrome laser printer, is a printer that prints documents solely using black ink and laser technology. These printers are most commonly utilized in professional and business environments. If your needs don’t call for color printing and you’ll be sticking with black ink only, this is a good option. As opposed to inkjet printers, laser printers use a laser to form words and images on paper, meaning you don’t have to buy ink cartridges. You do, however, have to buy the toner cartridges required by laser printers, but these last much longer than standard ink cartridges.

Why Should I Buy a Black and White Laser Printer?

Why buy a black and white laser printer over a color laser printer? For businesses or other organizations that only need to print more standard text documents such as letters, research papers, notes, records, etc., there may not be a need to invest in a printer that also prints in color.

There are other benefits to choosing a B&W laser printer as well, including:

• Lower cost per page - Monochrome laser printers only need one toner cartridge, which often costs less and has a higher page yield. Lower operational and maintenance costs - It’s more economical to replace cartridges for black and white laser printers since there’s only one. Having just one cartridge also makes it easier to diagnose technical difficulties.
• Print speed - Monochrome laser printers have faster printing speeds than color laser printers.
• Quality output - Black and white laser printers produce superior text quality due to the way the pigment is applied to the paper.

What Features Should I Look for in a Black and White Laser Printer?

The features to look for when buying a monochrome laser printer vary depending on your home or business needs, but here are some of the most common:

• Fast print speed - The standard speed for monochrome laser printers is 30 pages per minute, though some printers offer speeds of up to 100 pages per minute. If your business prints frequently, has many people printing at once or has long print jobs, you’ll want a higher speed.
• High DPI resolution - A DPI (dots per inch) resolution of 1,200 or higher will result in a sharper print job that’s less likely to smear.
• High volume input capacity - You’ll get a better workflow and increase productivity if you have a paper capacity of 250 pages or more. At that capacity, you won’t have to refill paper as often.
• Wireless and mobile printing capabilities - Being able to easily move your printer or print on the go is highly convenient for businesses.

While not features per se, also consider printer size and cost. There are a variety of black and white laser printer sizes and price points, so make sure you consider the space you have for your printer and weigh the features you need against the cost to ensure you get the right printer for your needs.