Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers, when they came out, were considered revolutionary to the humanity that’s stuck on dot matrix printers and several variations of then-existing impact printers. It was the only printer available with color and with the absence of today’s dominating standards; the bubble jet as such was considered the de facto of computer printing. Yet, it would never surpass the standards of a commercial printing shop.

Today’s standards of inkjet printers are considerably miles away in technological difference from the first bubblejet or even the first inkjet that emerged. Raster effects, which is a common feature in the older systems have wisely disappeared and continuous printing tone* is a now regular feature in the most advanced and quality conscious of today’s inkjet printers.

(*continuous tone in printing quality is different from continuous ink jet system of printers)

The abundance of printers available makes choosing a tougher prospect. Laser or toner based, inkjet or bubblejet, impact (an archaic technology yet still in wide application), the wide availability of technology should be cryptic enough to most purchasers.

Inkjet’s Comparison to other Printer Models

In the past, inkjets are considered inferior with regards to quality output. Laser printers with its precision printing and huge dpi can get most quality prints done. Dye sublimation is several times superior to laser and inkjet, its capability to produce perfect “laminates” even on glossy media makes it a highly valuable machine for photo printing.

Inkjet did however develop into a technology that made it capable to print with dye sublimation quality. And if coupled with also a high gloss media, it can rival any output done with dye sublimation. Laser was no longer in commission for photo printing as its technology isn’t suited for continuous tone printing and raster effects aren’t built for photo technology.

Experts point out that the inkjet technological progress was by large due to the tough competition set by the four printer manufacturers giants: Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Epson, and Lexmark.

Final word about “Bubblejet”
Inkjet and bubblejet can be loosely swapped back and forth. Some technical personalities would argue that the best term for the type of computer printer that operates by propelling minute bubbles of liquid ink onto paper would be bubblejet. But inkjet was more widely used and for such, it would be more appropriate to use.