An inkjet printer is a printer that creates text and images by spraying microscopic droplets of liquid ink onto paper through tiny nozzles in a printhead. Inkjets are the most common printers in homes because they print color documents and photos well and come in compact, affordable designs. Ink comes either from replaceable cartridges or, in ink tank printers, from refillable tanks.
Inkjet Printer Essentials at a Glance
Sprays tiny drops of liquid ink onto the page through printhead nozzles
Excels at color documents, graphics, and photos
Uses either replaceable ink cartridges or refillable ink tanks
Handles many paper types, including glossy photo paper
Usually costs less up front than a laser printer
How Does an Inkjet Printer Work?
An inkjet printer builds each page from millions of tiny ink dots. As paper feeds through, a printhead moves across it and fires droplets from hundreds of microscopic nozzles at precise positions. Mixing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black dots in different patterns creates the full range of colors you see.
Thermal inkjet printing
HP inkjet printers use thermal inkjet technology. A tiny heating element warms a small amount of ink, forming a vapor bubble that pushes a droplet out of the nozzle. As the bubble collapses, fresh ink refills the chamber, and the cycle repeats thousands of times per second.
Printheads and cartridges
In many cartridge-based inkjets, the printhead is built into each ink cartridge, so you get a fresh printhead every time you replace a cartridge. Ink tank printers instead use printheads that stay in the printer and draw ink from the tanks.
Dye-based vs. pigment-based ink
Dye-based ink | Pigment-based ink | |
How it works | Color dissolves in the liquid and soaks into the paper | Tiny solid particles sit on the paper's surface |
Strengths | Vivid colors and smooth gradients, especially on photo paper | Crisp black text and better resistance to water and fading |
Common uses | Photos and everyday home printing | Business documents and frequent text printing |
HP examples | Many HP DeskJet and HP ENVY printers | HP OfficeJet printers |
Learn more about ink and toner or read our comparison of printer ink vs. toner.
Cartridge Inkjets vs. Ink Tank Printers
All inkjets spray liquid ink, but they store and replace it in two different ways.
Cartridge inkjet printers
Cartridge inkjets hold ink in small, sealed cartridges that you swap out when they run low. They usually cost the least up front and are compact, which suits people who print occasionally. Because cartridges hold a limited amount of ink, cost per page can add up with frequent printing. Ink subscriptions can help by delivering ink before you run out.
Ink tank printers
Ink tank printers have large, built-in tanks that you refill from ink bottles. They usually cost more up front, but the high-capacity ink lowers the cost of each page, especially for color. Clear tank windows let you see ink levels at a glance. Our HP Smart Tank printers use this design.
Cartridge inkjet | Ink tank printer | |
Up-front cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
Cost per page | Higher | Usually much lower |
Ink replacement | Swap a cartridge | Refill tanks from bottles |
Best for | Occasional printing and small spaces | Frequent printing, especially in color |
Learn more about printing costs, or compare ink tank and laser printers.
What Are Inkjet Printers Best For?
Photos: Inkjets blend colors smoothly and print on glossy photo paper. Learn more about photo printers.
Color documents: Charts, presentations, flyers, and school projects look vibrant.
Varied paper types: Many inkjets handle photo paper, cardstock, envelopes, and labels. Learn more about paper and media.
Home and home office printing: Compact sizes fit on a desk or shelf, and many models scan and copy too.
Advantages and Limitations of Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printer advantages
Excellent color and photo quality
Lower up-front cost than most laser printers
Compact, quiet designs suited to homes
Works with a wide range of paper types
No warm-up time before the first page
Inkjet printer limitations
Usually slower than laser printers for large text jobs
Cartridge models can cost more per page with heavy use
Nozzles can dry out if the printer sits unused for long periods
Ink on plain paper can smudge if handled before it dries
If you mostly print large volumes of black-and-white text, a laser printer may be a better fit. Read our full comparison of laser and inkjet printers.
HP Inkjet Printer Families
Our inkjet printers come in several families, each built around a different way of printing.
Printer family | Ink system | Best for |
HP DeskJet | Cartridges | Simple, everyday home printing |
HP ENVY | Cartridges | Families who print documents and photos |
Cartridges | Higher-volume printing for home offices and small businesses | |
Refillable tanks | Frequent printing with a low cost per page |
Compare current models on the HP Store printer page.
What to Check Before Buying an Inkjet Printer
How much you print: For occasional printing, a cartridge inkjet keeps up-front cost low. For frequent printing, an ink tank or subscription can lower your cost per page.
Color vs. black-and-white: If you print mostly color or photos, prioritize color quality and photo paper support.
Functions: Decide whether you need scanning, copying, faxing, or an automatic document feeder. Learn more about all-in-one printers.
Two-sided printing: Automatic two-sided printing saves time and paper for long documents.
Connectivity: Look for Wi-Fi and mobile printing if several people will print. Learn more about printer connectivity.
Print speed: Check pages per minute if you print long documents often. Learn more about print speed.
How to Care for an Inkjet Printer
Print regularly: Printing a page now and then helps keep the nozzles from drying out.
Turn it off with the power button: This lets the printer cap the printhead properly before shutting down.
Use the cleaning tools: If prints look streaky or faded, run the printhead cleaning or alignment tool from the printer's software.
Replace or refill ink promptly: Running completely dry can affect print quality.
Use the right paper settings: Match the paper type in the print settings to the paper loaded for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inkjet Printers
What is the difference between an inkjet printer and an ink tank printer?
An ink tank printer is a type of inkjet printer. Both spray liquid ink onto paper, but a standard inkjet uses replaceable cartridges, while an ink tank printer uses large refillable tanks that are topped up from ink bottles.
Are inkjet printers good for printing photos?
Inkjet printers are the best common choice for printing photos at home. They blend colors smoothly and print on glossy and matte photo paper, which produces sharp, vivid prints.
Why does inkjet ink dry out?
Inkjet ink can dry in the printhead nozzles when a printer sits unused for a long time. Printing occasionally and turning the printer off with its power button helps prevent clogs.
Is an inkjet printer cheaper than a laser printer?
An inkjet printer usually costs less to buy than a laser printer. For heavy black-and-white printing, a laser printer can cost less per page, while an ink tank printer usually offers the lowest cost per page for color.
Related Printer Topics
Printers: the main types of printers and how they work
Laser printers: fast, high-volume printing with toner
Ink and toner: cartridges, tanks, page yield, and supplies
Print quality: resolution, color, and sharpness
