No matter how much digitalization advances, there are many offices, professionals and administrations that continue to rely on paper as a complementary documentary resource. The main historical drawback of printers has been the need to replace consumables, whether liquid ink cartridges or toner, which as soon as they run out constitute polluting plastic waste that is difficult to eliminate. Although this is a problem that has been partially solved thanks to refillable cartridges, the printer market already offers an effective alternative that does not require replacement parts.
Laser or inkless printers work thanks to a new printing method known as carbonization. This is a technique developed by researchers in the Netherlands that consists of burning paper using a high-precision infrared laser beam. Here is the crux of the matter: for the result to be as expected, we must know exactly what amount of heat they need to mark the paper without tearing it. This will be a fundamental aspect when printing in color, since carbonization can cause the paper to acquire dark brown tones.
The main advantage of ‘inkless’ is that they are suitable for printing on different types of papers and materials. In addition, these printers are an alternative with which, although the purchase price is often more expensive than that of conventional models, you will be able to reduce costs in the long term. By not requiring ink cartridges, the customer’s recurring expenses are reduced, which is attractive to users who print frequently.
In terms of sustainability, inkless printers are a much more environmentally friendly option than traditional printers. Firstly, waste linked to the manufacture of highly polluting toner and liquid ink cartridges is reduced. On the other hand, inkless printers use energy-efficient processes that contribute to reducing the carbon footprint.
On the other hand, depending on the model, some inkless printers may not be as accurate in reproducing certain colors or reproducing text compared to models that use ink.
In short, inkless printers are a more profitable long-term and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional printers. Of course, before purchasing one, the user must evaluate their specific needs and the desired printing quality. This can be a really interesting option for those people who use the printer every day and want to save a little money, while reducing their environmental footprint.