A printer is a device that turns digital documents and images from a computer, phone, or tablet into physical copies on paper or other media. Most home and office printers use either liquid ink or powdered toner to create text and images. Many models also scan and copy, and they connect through Wi-Fi, USB, or Ethernet.
Below, we cover how printers work, the main types, and what to check before you choose one. Each section links to a more detailed page in our printer glossary.
Printer Essentials at a Glance
Converts digital files into printed pages, photos, labels, and more
Uses either liquid ink (inkjet and ink tank printers) or toner powder (laser printers)
All-in-one models add scanning and copying, and some add faxing
Connects wirelessly or with a cable, and many models print directly from phones
Running costs depend on how much you print and the type of supplies the printer uses
How Does a Printer Work?
When you select Print, your device sends the file to the printer through a cable or a wireless connection. The printer software translates it into instructions the printer understands, and the printer then places ink or toner on the page in one of two main ways.
How inkjet printers work
An inkjet printer moves a printhead back and forth across the page. Thousands of microscopic nozzles in the printhead release tiny droplets of liquid ink exactly where they're needed, building text and images line by line. Inkjets blend colors smoothly, which makes them well suited to photos and color documents.
How laser printers work
A laser printer uses a laser to draw an image of the page as an electrical charge on a rotating drum. Toner powder sticks to the charged areas, transfers to the paper, and is fused in place with heat. This process is fast and produces crisp text, which is why laser printers are popular for high-volume document printing.
What Are Printers Used For?
Home and family printing: Schoolwork, forms, recipes, tickets, and craft projects
Home office work: Contracts, invoices, reports, and scanned documents
Business and office printing: High-volume documents shared across a team
Photo printing: Family photos, cards, and creative projects on photo paper
Specialized printing: Large-format plans, posters, and technical drawings
What Are the Different Types of Printers?
Printers are grouped by the technology they use and the jobs they're built for. Our guide to the types of printers available covers them in more depth.
Inkjet printers
Inkjet printers use replaceable ink cartridges and are the most common choice for homes. They handle color documents and photos well and come in compact designs. Our HP DeskJet, HP ENVY, and HP OfficeJet Pro printers use inkjet technology. Learn more about inkjet printers.
Laser printers
Laser printers use toner cartridges and are built for fast, high-volume printing. Monochrome models print in black only, while color laser printers add cyan, magenta, and yellow toner. Our HP LaserJet printers cover everything from home offices to large businesses. Learn more about laser printers.
Ink tank printers
Ink tank printers are inkjets with large, refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges. You refill them from ink bottles, which suits people who print often, especially in color. Our HP Smart Tank printers use this design.
All-in-one printers
An all-in-one printer, also called a multifunction printer (MFP), combines printing with scanning and copying, and some models add faxing. All-in-ones can use inkjet, ink tank, or laser technology. Learn more about all-in-one printers.
Photo printers
Photo printers are inkjets tuned for rich color and fine detail on photo paper. Some are compact models that print small snapshots straight from a phone. Learn more about photo printers.
Large-format printers
Large-format printers produce wide prints such as architectural plans, maps, and posters. Our HP DesignJet printers serve design, engineering, and construction teams.
Inkjet vs. Laser vs. Ink Tank Printers
The three most common printer technologies each fit a different printing pattern.
Feature | Inkjet printer | Laser printer | Ink tank printer |
Supplies | Ink cartridges | Toner cartridges | Refillable tanks filled from ink bottles |
Strengths | Color documents and photos | Fast, crisp text at high volume | Frequent color printing |
Photo quality | Excellent on photo paper | Not ideal for photos | Very good |
Speed | Moderate | Usually the fastest | Moderate |
Up-front cost | Usually the lowest | Usually higher | Usually higher than a cartridge inkjet |
Running cost | Higher per page; ink subscriptions can help | Low per page for black-and-white text | Usually the lowest per page |
Best for | Occasional home printing and photos | Offices and heavy document printing | Families and home offices that print a lot |
Costs and speeds vary by model, so compare the specifications of the printers you're considering. For a deeper look, read our comparisons of laser and inkjet printers and ink tank and laser printers.
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Printer?
Start with how much you print and what you print, then match the printer to it.
What you print: Mostly text points toward a laser printer, while color documents and photos point toward an inkjet or ink tank printer. See printers by use.
How much you print: Light, occasional printing suits a basic inkjet. Frequent printing makes per-page cost more important than the printer's price.
Running costs: Factor in ink and toner over the printer's life. Learn more about printing costs and ink subscriptions.
Print quality: Resolution and ink type affect how sharp text and photos look. Learn more about print quality.
Speed: Print speed matters most in offices and for large jobs. Learn more about print speed.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, mobile printing, and Ethernet decide how easily everyone can print. Learn more about printer connectivity.
Paper handling: Check paper sizes, tray capacity, and automatic two-sided printing. Learn more about paper and media.
Security: Shared and business printers need protection for the documents and networks they touch. Learn more about printer security.
For a step-by-step guide, read what type of printer you need, or compare current models on the HP Store printer page.
Setting Up and Maintaining a Printer
Printer setup basics
Remove all packing tape and protective materials, inside and out.
Install the ink cartridges, toner, or ink from the bottles, following the printer's instructions.
Load plain paper in the input tray.
Connect the printer to your network or computer. Many HP printers guide you through Wi-Fi setup in the HP app.
Print a test page and install any available firmware updates.
Printer maintenance tips
Print regularly: Printing at least occasionally helps keep inkjet nozzles from drying out.
Use the built-in tools: Run printhead cleaning or alignment from the printer's software if prints look streaky or faded.
Store paper properly: Keep paper flat and dry to avoid jams and curling.
Keep firmware current: Updates can add features and fix issues. Learn more about drivers and firmware.
Keep it clean: Wipe the exterior and scanner glass with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Printers
What is the difference between a printer and an all-in-one printer?
A standard printer only prints, while an all-in-one printer also scans and copies, and some models fax. An all-in-one printer saves space and money when you need more than one of these functions.
Can you print from a phone?
Most wireless printers can print from a phone. Many HP printers work with the HP app, and current HP printer families also support Apple AirPrint for printing from iPhone and iPad. Learn more about printer connectivity.
Does a printer need a computer to work?
A printer doesn't always need a computer. Wireless printers can print from phones and tablets, and all-in-one printers can make copies on their own. A computer is still useful for setup on some models and for printing from desktop software.
How long does a printer ink cartridge last?
How long a printer ink cartridge lasts depends on its page yield, how much you print, and how much color coverage each page uses. Manufacturers list an estimated page yield for each cartridge, so higher-yield cartridges last longer between replacements.
Explore the Printer Glossary
Inkjet printers: how inkjets work and who they suit
Laser printers: fast, high-volume printing with toner
All-in-one printers: printing, scanning, copying, and faxing in one device
Ink and toner: cartridges, tanks, page yield, and supplies
Ink subscriptions: how ink delivery plans work
Printing costs: up-front price vs. cost per page
Print quality: resolution, color, and sharpness
Print speed: pages per minute and what affects it
Printer connectivity: Wi-Fi, mobile, USB, and Ethernet printing
Paper and media: paper types, sizes, and trays
Photo printers: printing photos at home
Printer security: protecting printers, documents, and networks
Printers by use: matching a printer to home, office, or creative needs
