Solid Ink Works for Consumers of All Kinds
Ever hear of a company called Tektronix? What about Xerox? Im sure youve heard of one of the two at least the second one, since their name recognition is so large. Tektronix was a company that pioneered a technology called solid ink in the mid-1980s, after which – like any good corporate conglomerate – Xerox bought them out. Instead of dealing with messy ink and toner and disposable cartridges, solid ink focuses on solid ink sticks that are melted onto the page to produce a brilliantly colorful result.
So what are the pluses and minuses of solid ink compared to other more traditional office methods of printing on paper? The plus sides include: that it usually produces a higher-quality, brighter and more vibrant ink tone than do other types of printers; it is easier to load and use than inkjet toner cartridges or laser printer drums; it can print on a more versatile array of objects and media more efficiently and skillfully; and it is more environmentally friendly than other printing toner methods. There is even a story that the representative of Tektronix who originally manufactured the ink sticks ate one in front of a crowd to prove their non-toxic qualities.
The downsides to these seeming miracles of modern printing include the following: print can scrape off the page somewhat easily, especially on top-quality settings; the device takes time to sufficiently heat up the ink; lots of power is used on the heating device; and other mechanical issues can result from the use of the clay-like ink building up in the systems finer parts.
Clearly, there are advantages and disadvantages to both ink sticks and traditional ink toner its up to you the consumer to decide which one is better for you. Go to an office supply store to sample a printer today and take your pick.