Nowadays, it is highly mandatory to have a printer in your home as it will help you in doing so much like printing card stocks, label printing, image printing, and whatnot. Basically, you can perform all the possible tasks on a single printer. Once you have a printer, many questions need to be answered, like can laser printers print on glossy paper?
Or questions like which printing technology is more suitable? Should I purchase a laser printer or an inkjet printer? Sometimes it becomes confusing that printing on glossy paper is even possible. Thoughts of damaging your printer overshadow your mind. Therefore we are to vaporize your dark clouds of damaging your printer as we will answer your question of can laser printers print on glossy paper?
The answer is simple as yes, you can use glossy paper for laser printer. You can even use a coated glossy paper to achieve the best outcome. The only hurdle is to use the correct kind of paper. There are so many types of paper, but only a few allow the toner to fuse with the printer. You can achieve some incredible printing effects if you use photo paper for laser printer. This explains that if you have a laser printer, you can enjoy the advantages of glossy paper.
The glossy photo paper has many benefits, like giving more vibrant color, great reproduction contrasts, and enhancing the difference between light and dark images and color.
However, if you want to have the surety of achieving the best printing results, then there are several factors that you must consider.
“Can laser printers print on glossy paper,” is the common question that consumers ask while buying a laser printer. The short answer is yes, a laser printer can print on glossy paper, but it is not very easy, and the results are not always perfect, especially if you are not choosing the right type of paper.
This article will discuss if a laser printer can print on glossy paper. We will discuss all aspects and try to find why it is difficult for the laser printer to print on glossy paper and how to do it.
Table of Contents
What is a laser printer?
A laser printer is a printer that uses a laser beam to transfer text or image on paper. The laser beam fire the images on a paper surface as the paper pass through a roller. Once the pattern is created, it is coated with toner.
What is an Inkjet printer?
An inkjet printer works very differently than a laser printer. It does not use any beam of light to transfer the image on paper through the toner.
It uses ink instead. The inkjet printer works in a way as to spray the ink onto paper. It uses high-resolution ink dots to copy the image or characters on the paper.
The inkjet printer features tiny nozzles for spraying ink on paper. It is called jets. The inkjet technique sprays ink onto the paper, and the paper absorbs it.
What is Glossy Paper?
Glossy paper is a special type of paper that is used for printing cards or graphics. It gives a different feel and looks than plain paper. A glossy paper is different in feel and look, but it is also slightly thicker in texture than plain paper.
Unlike plain paper that is light and very simple, the glossy paper has a shine to it. The gloss on paper makes it feel and look very shiny. It makes your images or graphics stand out on the paper. The glossy paper has more applied coating and gives a vibrant effect.
Choosing the Right Media for Glossy Paper
The only thing that is extremely important is to choose the right media for your printer. Glossy photo paper is mainly design for inkjet printers. In an inkjet printer, the glossy paper works with the deposit of microscopic droplets of ink. Then the surface of the paper allows the ink to absorb the ink and give the best result.
However, the case does not end here as you can use the glossy photo paper in a laser printer. In the laser printer, the paper endures the printer’s high temperature and fuses the toner to the surface of the glossy photo paper. The laser printer glossy paper helps you in achieving the best result.
Basically, the difference in printing technology decides what type of paper you should use in a printer. If you acquire a laser printer, then the concept lies with microscopic heating particles of toner. This concept helps in physically fusing the toner to the paper’s surface.
However, the case is separate if you have an inkjet printer, then specific types of glossy photo papers help to produce specific substandard results. This is why the correct media type is vital in making the best possible glossy photographs.
Printing pictures in a Laser Printer
When it comes down to printing pictures in a laser printer, the only thing essential for the user in understanding the details. If you know the fact of a laser printer photo paper a4, it is easier for you to work with it. There was a time when photo printing was a disaster, however with modern technology, photo printing has become a reason for many business initiatives. Certain factors can help you create stunning photo results. The first essential factor in creating astonishing pictures is the choice of the right paper for a printer.
There are two significant types of printing paper.
Inkjet paper types
Inkjet paper types are mainly for inkjet printers. They produce quality images with a coating of designed ink droplets. Inkjet paper types do not survive the high temperatures that a laser printer can.
Laser printer paper
The laser printer paper is the finest one. Such papers are also known as digital paper and are mainly designed to survive high temperatures. At a high temperature, the fuser unit is present to bond the paper’s toner particles. If you are using laser printer paper, then the final print will be mesmerizing. However, if you are using an untreated paper, such paper may tolerate conditions like prospective image degradation.
Printing on glossy paper means the production of high-quality photo prints. If you have the perfect paper for the job, then it means you are on the right track to having the best impression.
Before you start printing, some factors need your consideration, like your printer must use the latest drivers. This factor will help in achieving the best prints possible.
The next factor is to match your paper type properties by correcting the setting option on your laptop. This will again give you an assurance of having the best prints possible.
The next thing you can do is to adjust the fuser temperature. Along with this, you can also work on the resolution and some other settings. The crucial point is when you have to change the paper type setting as this step will ensure to give striking glossy photo prints.
If you follow the steps mentioned above, trust me, you will achieve what you have expected from a laser printer.
Why Is It Difficult For A Laser Printer To Print On Glossy Paper?
It is mainly because of the finish and making of the glossy paper. It is also due to the difference of technology involved in laser printing and the different textures of a glossy paper.
A glossy paper has extra varnish on its surface, making it shine more and gives it a glow. It is designed for inkjet papers that spray the ink on its surface, and the paper absorbs the ink.
A laser printer works differently. It does not spray the ink on its surface. The laser printer heats the toner, which is used for printing. It heats the toner and spreads its melted form onto the paper passing through its rollers. The melted toner powder is very hot, and it may not suit the glossy paper. The extra shine or varnish on the glossy paper can stick to the rollers due to heat, giving not very pleasant results.
How To Print On Glossy Paper Through A Laser Printer?
As we already have mentioned, the glossy paper has a shine and varnish on the surface, which may melt or stick to the rollers making it difficult to print ton a glossy paper. Here are a few ways one can print on glossy paper:
Choose the Right Paper.
When you are buying glossy paper for printing with a laser printer, it is essential to watch for paper quality. Don’t buy any glossy paper. You should buy glossy paper that is specifically designed for laser printing.
Change the Settings.
You need to change the print media type as well from the standard paper to glossy paper. Go to the Print/Preferences/Paper Media type. From here, you can select the type of media for printing.
Manual Feed.
As we said, glossy paper is a bit thicker than plain paper. Instead of running it through a paper tray, use the manual paper feed mechanism and feed it through the bypass paper tray.
Feed one page at a time through the manual tray feed. Due to the additional thickness and varnish on it, the two glossy papers can stick together.
Open the Output Door.
Open the output door so that paper comes out of it straight. Don’t remove the paper at once but wait for it to dry before touching it or inserting it into a page protector.
Adjust the DPI.
If you are getting smudge results on glossy paper even with all these steps, then go for the printer’s settings. Most of the printers are set on by default dpi settings of 600×600 dpi. If your printer is smudging the pictures on glossy paper, you should adjust the dpi settings. Make it 300×300 dpi, and you would notice better results. Lowing the dpi puts the printer at a better chance of fusing less toner on the paper.
With these simple steps, you can print on glossy paper as well. These steps slow down the printing process so that inks are dried, and results are more sharp and crisp.
Final Words
Printing on photo paper with a laser printer is not easy. Just like that, printing on glossy paper is also not easy. The glossy surface may stick with the hot toner, and the photos and graphics are smudged. Make sure you choose the right printer and the right paper for the job. When laser printing photo paper a4, make sure you change the settings of the printer.
Reduce the dpi settings and choose an a4 paper for the print media. Also, it is not a good idea to put the photo paper in the paper tray. You should feed the paper in manual feed and open the outdoor so that the printing sheet comes out straight. We hope that with all these steps, you can print on glossy paper with a laser printer.
