laser vs. inkjet executive summary

[ammons at creighton.edu]

Web4Lib-L er's,

I have had about a dozen replies to my post and the overwhelming 
consensus is to go for a networked laser printer. Only one person 
fervently recommended inkjets. This same person had bad experiences 
with lasers and recommended against them. Many people report that in 
the long run laser printing is cheaper, less than 2.5 cents per page
ranging to 1.5 cents per page and inkjet printing is more than 2.5 
cents per page ranging to 5 cents per page. Two people recommended 
getting a laser printer with a duplexing attachment and print on both 
sides of sheets. People who had printed on once used paper had more 
intensive maintenance regimens because of dust and ink that had 
collected on the paper transfering to the inside of the laser 
printer. 

Some of the arguments against inkjet printers included: smearing, 
expense of printing, theft of ink cartridges by patrons, speed less 
than lasers. Inkjets were perceived as less robust than laser printers. 

As far as separating printouts people recommended having banner 
sheets with memorable or cutesy names for each station. The more 
expensive laser printers evidently can separate different stations 
print outs. 

Some people are chargeing patrons 10 cents a page for laser print 
outs.

Thank you to those of you who responded. 


Shawn Ammon
ammons at creighton.edu
Reference Assistant, Health Sciences Library, Creighton University