Digital printing:Inkjet versus toner production printers, what’s best?

Printing technology plays a critical role in education, where high-quality, cost-effective printing is essential for producing everything from textbooks and course materials to student certificates and administrative documents. Deciding between inkjet and toner-based production printers can be challenging, as each technology has unique strengths and use cases. This article examines these two production printing technologies, placing a particular focus on their applications in educational institutions.

Printing speed and volume

Educational institutions often face tight deadlines, especially during exam periods or at the start of term. The high-volume printing of materials is therefore a non-negotiable, making speed an important factor for consideration when choosing a new production printer.

Inkjet printers, particularly high-speed production printing models like Kyocera’s TASKalfa Pro 15000c, excel in this area. Designed for high-output environments, the TASKalfa Pro 15000c delivers up to 150 A4 pages per minute. This works out to an impressive 9,000 sheets per hour, making it an ideal solution for schools, colleges, and universities that need to produce large quantities of materials within short timeframes.

In contrast, toner production printers, while reliable and able to achieve high print speeds for smaller-scale tasks, may struggle to match this level of efficiency for high-volume jobs. This gives inkjet technology the advantage for education settings that regularly require bulk printing, such as student handouts, lecture materials, or campus newsletters.

Print quality and media versatility

Educational materials demand clarity and precision, especially when printing diagrams, fine text, or detailed images. Traditionally, toner-based production printers were considered the gold standard for sharp text and crisp lines. However, developments in advanced production printing inkjet technology have levelled the playing field.

Modern inkjet production printers, produce vibrant colours and sharp images, comparable to toner-based systems. They also excel in media versatility, accommodating a wide range of paper types, sizes, and weights. For example, the TASKalfa Pro 15000c supports paper weights from 56 to 360 GSM and handles sizes ranging from A6 to SRA3. This flexibility allows educational institutions to produce everything from booklets and flyers to certificates in-house, reducing reliance on external vendors and contractors, enhancing operational efficiency and control.

Toner commercial printers, while excellent for standard office tasks, often lack the flexibility needed for diverse printing projects, limiting their suitability for environments with varied demands.

Cost efficiency

Budget considerations are a top priority for educational institutions, many of which operate under tight financial constraints. Inkjet printers typically boast a reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to toner production printers, offering savings over the course of the device’s lifespan. Similarly, the cost per print in inkjet production printers is often lower compared to toner printers, particularly for colour printing. This can make a significant difference when printing large volumes of documents, helping schools and universities manage costs effectively.

Kyocera’s TASKalfa Pro 15000c offers further features for enhanced cost-efficiency such as energy-saving design. It uses water-based inks, which are not only more sustainable but also reduce overall printing expenses. By optimising for lower energy consumption, it lowers operational costs while supporting environmentally friendly initiatives—an increasingly important factor for educational institutions facing requirements in meeting new environmental objectives.

Environmental sustainability

Sustainability is a growing concern for educational institutions, many of which aim to reduce their environmental impact. Inkjet production printers are generally more eco-friendly than their toner-based counterparts due to lower energy consumption and reduced waste generation.

The TASKalfa Pro 15000c is designed with sustainability in mind. It uses water-based inks, which are free from harmful solvents, and supports Kyocera’s partnership with environmental programmes like PrintReleaf in the UK, which helps offset paper usage by reforesting areas. Schools and universities adopting this technology can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while contributing to global sustainability efforts.

Applications in education

The versatility and efficiency of inkjet printers make them particularly well-suited for the education sector. For example, a university’s administrative office can use an inkjet production printer to produce high-quality brochures for student recruitment campaigns. At the same time, teaching staff can print durable, high-volume content packs for students.

Moreover, during exam periods, schools can rely on the speed and reliability of devices like the TASKalfa Pro 15000c to print exam papers without delays or disruptions. With their ability to handle varied media and large-scale printing, inkjet printers can meet the diverse needs of educational institutions with ease.

Inkjet versus toner production printers, what’s best?

Choosing between inkjet and toner production printers ultimately depends on the specific needs of an educational institution. While toner printers may suit smaller-scale, text-heavy projects, inkjet printers like Kyocera’s TASKalfa Pro 15000c offer unmatched speed, versatility, cost efficiency, and environmental benefits.

For schools, colleges, and universities that require high-quality, large-volume printing across a range of media types, inkjet production printers provide a future-ready solution. By investing in modern printing technology, educational institutions can enhance their operational efficiency and work towards achieving environmental objectives.

Contact Kyocera to see how the TASKalfa Pro 15000c could work in your institution.