laser printer
B1Neutral to Technical
Definition
Meaning
A computer printer that produces high-quality text and graphics by using a laser beam to form an electrostatic image on a drum, which is then transferred to paper using toner.
A standard type of office printer known for its speed, sharp text output, and economical per-page cost for high-volume printing, as opposed to inkjet printers.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun. While 'laser' is a technical acronym, the phrase 'laser printer' is now common in general vocabulary. It refers specifically to the printing technology, not just any fast or high-quality printer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'toner' vs. 'toner cartridge').
Connotations
Identical connotations of reliability and professional output in both regions.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US office and technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The {office} uses a {laser printer}.{We} need to replace the {toner} in the {laser printer}.The {document} was sent to the {laser printer}.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Standard equipment for printing invoices, reports, and correspondence in volume.
Academic
Common in university departments and libraries for printing theses and research papers.
Everyday
Used in home offices for high-quality document printing, less common for photo printing.
Technical
Specified by print technology (laser vs. LED, vs. inkjet), resolution (dpi), and print speed (ppm).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to laser-print these contracts for the meeting.
- The report was laser-printed on high-quality bond paper.
American English
- I'll laser print the brochure proofs.
- She laser-printed fifty copies of the manual.
adjective
British English
- We are looking for a laser-printing solution.
- The laser-printer toner is low.
American English
- The laser printing quality is superior for text.
- We have a laser printer fleet.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The office has a new laser printer.
- I print my homework on the laser printer.
- Our laser printer is much faster than the old inkjet.
- You need to install the driver for the laser printer to work.
- For high-volume document printing, a monochrome laser printer is the most cost-effective option.
- The network laser printer in the corridor is out of order.
- The procurement department is evaluating bids for multifunction laser printers with advanced secure printing features.
- While laser printers excel at text, higher-end inkjets now rival them for photo-realistic graphics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LASER printer: Light Amplification creates Sharp, Efficient, Rapid print.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PRINTER is a FACTORY for documents: it consumes raw materials (toner, paper) and outputs finished products (pages) at high speed.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'лазерная печать', which can refer to laser engraving or cutting. The correct equivalent is 'лазерный принтер'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'laser printer' to refer to any fast printer, including high-speed inkjets.
- Misspelling as 'lazer printer'.
- Confusing 'laser printer' with '3D printer'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary consumable used by a laser printer?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the use. Laser printers are generally better for high-volume text printing, offering lower cost per page and faster speeds. Inkjets are often better for high-quality photo printing on specialty papers.
Yes, colour laser printers use four toner cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) to produce colour images, though they are often more expensive than monochrome (black only) lasers.
PPM stands for 'pages per minute'. It's a measure of print speed. A typical office laser printer might print 20-40 ppm.
Smudging usually indicates a problem with the fuser unit, which is supposed to melt the toner onto the paper permanently. The fuser may be dirty, worn out, or not reaching the correct temperature.