What's the difference between an electrostatic digital printer and . . .

[Floogeldy]

. . . the other kind of digital printer? Aren't there two kinds of digital printers?

I'm lost.

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

1. OK...don't get confused on the word "Digital"

That is rule #1.

Printer output mechanism is what you are asking about.

1) Electrostatic: the paper is charged, and a charge differential allows toner to adhere to certain parts of the page. In an electrostatic printer/plotter, the machine has to make a separate pass for each color. At least they used to do it that way. This is more typically found in large-scale engineering applications.

2) Xerographic: the paper is uncharged, but it passes through a charged field and the toner is fused to the paper thermally. This is also called Laser

3) Thermal: The paper has a chemical color layer. The color is exposed through the application of heat. This is typical of fax older applications

4) Inkjet: Ink is dispersed through a nozzle onto paper in a precise fashion. Depending on the type if ink (micropigment or dye) special paper that matches the DPI setup of the print head can improve output by controlling absorption and bleed through the use of a special gelatin coating.

5) There is also Dye Sublimation, but you don't see those often at the consumer end. They are more expensive and are used more in the printing business as I recall

Hope this helps some. I used to sell types 1-4

DBDB

[Floogeldy]

2. DBDB

Thanks. I know I want a laser printer/copier for b&w text documents only. I've seen some that claim to be digital. I've also seen the terms "electrostatic" and "monochrome." I'm confused as to which has less moving parts, is cheaper in the long run in connection with toner and drums, etc. . . . . I figure the great majority of laser printers do high quality text.

Actually, I'm re-opening my office and I'M GOING CRAZY trying to decide on whether to get a separate printer/copier and a separate fax machine, or just go for an all in one multifunctional. I'm probably looking at 500 - 750 pages a month, max.

I appreciate your advice.

Floog

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

3. I went with an HP 3100

when they first came out, and the thing was a workhorse. It was a meduim-duty b&w laser/fax machine.

For heavier duty, you are better served going with a b&w laser printer/fax. The toner lasts for a long time, and over time, it is less per copy. This is assuming you don't require color.

Color inkjet multifunctions are fine assuming you aren't doing a ton of color, but the more you do, the higher the cost. If you want better output, you pay more for higher quality specialty paper.

I now have an Epson CX5200 color flatbed printer/coper/scanner that can fax through the computer. It is fine for what I do, but we don't print a ton off of it. Maybe 100 pages a month.

DBDB

[Floogeldy]

4. Thanks again, DBDB