Tech guide: Ink-conceivable

Tech guide: Ink-conceivable

If inkjets leave you flustered and lasers sound dangerous, check out our guide to the various types of printing solutions available.

Like computers, printers can be found everywhere around us, whether at home, in the office, at a supermarket cashier or even at photo sticker machines. In fact, if you're reading this article from your computer screen, chances are there is a printer nearby. This is because over the last couple of years, technological advances made in the various fields of printing have not only increased print resolution, they have also brought the prices of printers down, making them more affordable than ever.

There are many different types of printers currently available in the market, and each serves a different purpose. Inkjets, being the most affordable among the lot, are commonly used in homes, while laser and solid ink printers with their higher capacities and faster speeds are employed in heavy-duty office environments. The rapid growth in digital photography has also spurred the use of six-color inkjets and dye-sublimation printers for photo-quality prints.

So before you decide on your next printer purchase, arm yourself with some background information on the various printing technologies to avoid any purchase frustrations.

Not all inks are created equal
Learn about the different types of inks used in desktop printers, from the ubiquitous inkjet to the more proprietary solid ink.

A buyer's checklist
Your choice of ink type could be significant to your print job. Our checklist could help simplify your buying decision.

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Talkback 2 comments

    The Canon i865 photo and CD pr ...Anonymous -- 14/02/04

    The Canon i865 photo and CD printer is the best in its field! Its companion the i965 as a dedicated photo printer has no equal! However the aforementioned printer can do a fantsatic job if orinting CDs and great quality graphic for CD liner notes etal.

    It certainly lived up to the hype of a great CD printer which certainly beats the pants off the Signature Pro at circa $3,000!

    Canon i 965 printer Anonymous -- 08/03/06

    I bought an i965 in October 2004. It has just died - barely used (approx 60 A4 sheets). Ink delivery is inconsistent:
    1)Banding
    2)Colour shifts

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