What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-Impact Printers? (Easy Guide)
Published: 17 May 2025
Hello Guys!
Have you ever used an inkjet or laser printer at home or school? If yes, then you’ve already used a non-impact printer! A non-impact printer is a type of printer that prints without physically striking the paper. Instead of pins or hammers, it sprays ink or uses heat and laser technology to create text and images.
These printers are popular because they are fast, quiet, and produce high-quality prints. But like every technology, non-impact printers have their own pros and cons.
In this post, I’ll explain the advantages and disadvantages of non-impact printers with real-life examples. We’ll also see how they work and where they are commonly used in our daily life.
Advantages of Non-Impact Printers
Non-impact printers have become popular for many people—for printing school projects, office reports, or family photos. They’re fast, silent, and easy to use.
Here is a quick list of key benefits of non-impact printers:
- Quiet Printing
- High-Speed Printing
- Better Print Quality
- Low Maintenance
- Compact and Lightweight
- Multiple Media Support
- Energy Efficient
- Easy to Use
- Wireless Printing Options
- Color Printing Capability
Let’s look at these above-mentioned pros of non-impact printers in a simple way that makes them perfect for every day.
1. Quiet Printing
Non-impact printers don’t have moving parts that hit the paper, so they make minimal sound. This makes them great for quiet places like libraries or late-night homework sessions at home.
2. High-Speed Printing
These printers can print pages quickly, especially laser printers. In offices or exam seasons, this speed helps save time and meet deadlines.
3. Better Print Quality
Non-impact printers provide crisp text and smooth images. Whether you’re printing an essay or a photo for your school project, the output looks neat and professional.
4. Low Maintenance
Since there’s no physical contact with the paper, there’s less chance of parts getting damaged. This means fewer repairs and a longer printer life.
5. Compact and Lightweight
Many inkjet and thermal printers are small and portable. They easily fit into a small table or study desk at home.
6. Multiple Media Support
These printers support various paper types like glossy sheets, envelopes, labels, or photo paper. It’s perfect for printing school charts, wedding invites, or photo albums.
7. Energy Efficient
Non-impact printers generally consume less electricity than older impact models. Great for saving power at home or in eco-friendly offices.
8. Easy to Use
Most non-impact printers are user-friendly. You connect them to your computer or mobile and are ready to print. No special training needed, just plug and print.
9. Wireless Printing Options
Modern non-impact printers come with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing you to print directly from your smartphone or tablet—handy for quick assignments or photos.
10. Color Printing Capability
Unlike many impact printers, non-impact types can print in full color. This is helpful for students creating colorful presentations or printing creative artwork.
Disadvantages of Non-Impact Printers
Non-impact printers are modern and user-friendly, but like every device, they also have some downsides. Let’s understand the drawbacks of non-impact printers that you should know before buying one—especially if you’re a student or running a small office.
A quick list of disadvantages of non-impact printers:
- High Initial Cost
- Expensive Ink and Toner
- Ink Dries Out
- Not Ideal for Bulk Printing
- Limited Paper Handling
- Slow Color Printing
- Maintenance Needed
- Ink Smudging
- Shorter Lifespan
- Not Suitable for Continuous Stationary Paper
Let’s explore these cons of non-impact printers in simple way.
1. High Initial Cost
Compared to basic dot-matrix printers, non-impact printers like inkjet or laser models can be more expensive to purchase, especially the color variants.
2. Expensive Ink and Toner
Ink cartridges and toner replacements can be costly. Sometimes, the refill costs more than the printer itself over time.
3. Ink Dries Out
In inkjet printers, the ink can dry up if you don’t use the printer regularly. This leads to poor-quality prints and cartridge replacement.
4. Not Ideal for Bulk Printing
If you print many pages daily, non-impact printers may not be cost-effective due to the high running costs.
5. Limited Paper Handling
Many non-impact printers struggle with thicker papers or special media like card stock. They’re best for standard A4 sheets.
6. Slow Color Printing
While text prints fast, color prints—exceptionally high-resolution images—can take longer to process and print.
7. Maintenance Needed
Ink nozzles in inkjet printers need cleaning to avoid smudges or blocked printing. Laser printers also need occasional drum replacements.
8. Ink Smudging
Ink from inkjet printers can smudge if touched before drying. This is a common problem with photo prints or colored pages.
9. Shorter Lifespan
Non-impact printers, especially cheaper ones, may wear out faster, especially in heavy-use environments.
10. Not Suitable for Continuous Stationary Paper
Unlike impact printers, these don’t support continuous paper rolls or carbon copies used for receipts or log reports, limiting their use in industrial setups.
We’ve just wrapped up the main topic of advantages and disadvantages of non-impact printers. Now, let’s move to the next section to boost your knowledge further!
How Does a Non-Impact Printer Work?
Non-impact printers work by:
- Spraying tiny droplets of ink (inkjet),
- Using a laser beam and toner powder (laser),
- Or applying heat to special paper (thermal).
They produce smoother and higher-quality prints because they don’t touch the paper mechanically.
Common Types of Non-Impact Printers With Examples
Here are the main non-impact printer types used today:
- Inkjet Printers – Spray ink directly on paper (e.g., HP DeskJet, Epson EcoTank)
- Laser Printers – Use laser beams and toner for sharp text (e.g., Canon LaserJet, Brother HL Series)
- Thermal Printers – Use heat to print on special paper (used in receipts, labels, ATMs)
Each type serves a different purpose based on speed, cost, and print quality. Read my detailed article about the types of non-impact printers to boost your knowledge.
Real-World Examples
- HP Inkjet Printers – Ideal for home users and students
- Canon LaserJet Printers – Great for office documents
- Zebra Thermal Printers – Common in retail stores for printing labels
Conclusion
So, guys, now I am going to conclude the topic of advantages and disadvantages of non-impact printers.
I hope you now better understand the pros and cons of non-impact printers in detail.
These printers are a wise choice if you want smooth, quiet, and high-quality printing at home, school, or even small offices. While they’re excellent for everyday use, the cost and maintenance might concern some users.
Always choose a printer that fits your personal needs—for printing notes, photos, or work documents.
Found this helpful? Share it with your classmates and friends who are new to computers!
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve answered some frequently asked questions by students about non-impact printers. If you have any more, feel free to ask in the comments section — I’m here to help!
The main advantage is quiet and fast printing. Non-impact printers don’t make loud noises because they don’t physically hit the paper, making them perfect for schools, homes, and quiet offices.
Yes, for most users. Non-impact printers are faster, quieter, and produce higher-quality prints than impact printers. Impact printers are usually used only in exceptional cases, such as printing carbon copies or invoices.
Common examples include:
- Inkjet printers (like HP DeskJet)
- Laser printers (like Canon LaserJet)
- Thermal printers (used in billing counters and ATMs)
These are all non-impact printer types that work without striking the paper.
Yes, they use either ink or toner:
- Inkjet printers use liquid ink.
- Laser printers use toner powder.
Both give clear and colorful prints depending on the printer type.
Absolutely! Most inkjet and color laser printers support color printing. They are great for printing photos, school charts, presentations, and colored documents.
Yes, they are ideal for home use. If you print homework, photos, or documents occasionally, a compact inkjet or laser non-impact printer is perfect.
Some common disadvantages for students are:
- High ink/toner costs
- Frequent cartridge replacement
- Slower speed in some low-budget models
But still, they are widely used because of ease and quality.
Laser non-impact printers generally last longer than impact printers and inkjets. They are more durable, especially for regular document printing in offices or schools.
Here are five key features:
- Silent printing
- High-quality output
- Fast performance
- Supports color printing
- Compact and easy to use
Yes! Inkjet non-impact printers are excellent for photo printing. Many home users choose to print family photos, school projects, or colored images.
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- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
