Ink vs. Toner: What’s The Difference?

While the terms “ink” and “toner” are often used interchangeably, they are actually two very different printing products. They both have specific uses and benefit various types of printing styles. Whether it be for the office or at home, you’ll want to make sure you have a large stock of both of these to ensure your printer runs efficiently and smoothly.

Ink

Used in inkjet printers, ink is a pigmented liquid that consists of water, chemicals, and colorants. By using tiny nozzles, inkjet printers can spray droplets of the ink onto the paper. It’s for this reason that ink tends to produce higher quality prints than toner. Ink is more often used in home settings than business settings because consumers are more familiar with it than toner.

Toner

Toner, on the other hand, is used in laser printers and is a plastic-like powder substance. By using a photosensitive drum unit, laser printers melt the plastic components in the toner, allowing it to stick to the paper. As a result, toner tends to last longer than ink which is why it is mainly used for commercial products.

Want to learn more about ink and toner? At Forward TS, we can supply your printer with all of its ink and toner needs. We’ll help you distinguish the difference between the two and tell you which is best for your printer. Learn more about our products and services by calling 414.778.0000 today!