The two technologies at a glance
Laser printers work with toner fused onto the paper. The result: razor-sharp text, smudge-proof, water-resistant, archive-safe. Inkjet printers spray liquid ink onto paper — cheaper to buy, but more sensitive to moisture and slower for plain text.
Realistic cost per letter
| Item | Laser printer | Inkjet printer |
|---|---|---|
| Device (entry level) | from €100 | from €50 |
| Cost per page (B/W) | ~2–4 cents | ~5–15 cents |
| Risk with rare use | low — toner doesn't dry out | high — nozzles clog, cleaning wastes ink |
| Durability of the printout | very high | medium (water stains, fading) |
The rare-use trap
An inkjet printer idle for two months cleans its print heads on the next start — often wasting more ink than the actual letter would need. Adding device, consumables and failures, the occasional letter printout quickly costs €1 or more per page. A laser printer forgives long pauses but only pays off from a few hundred pages a year.
When print quality matters
- Authorities and courts: documents must be legible and permanent — laser print is the safe choice.
- Paper applications: first impressions count; washed-out ink looks sloppy.
- Private greetings: almost any quality will do.
The third option: no printer at all
With fewer than about 20 letters a year, any printer of your own is uneconomical. Online letter services print on professional laser printers in print-shop quality, envelope and frank — for a flat price per letter, with no device, no toner, no maintenance.
Create your letter online — printing and mailing included
Compare total cost, not cartridge price
Divide purchase and likely consumable costs by the number of pages you realistically print. Include cleaning cycles for inkjet and possible drum costs for laser.
Choose by usage
- Occasional text letters: mono laser or external printing
- Regular colour documents: inkjet may fit
- Only a few letters yearly: no device is necessary
Create and mail letters without buying a printer in the letter editor.