About HP Laser Printer Resolution
Hewlett-Packard (HP) revolutionized laser-printing technology with its first LaserJet printer in 1984, offering consumers an affordable, compact printer that could print quality material quickly. Understanding resolution, as well as what additional factors impact the quality of a print, is essential when shopping for an HP laser printer or that of any other manufacturer.
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The Science Behind Printer Resolution
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HP introduced the process of using lasers to melt tiny dots of toner against paper to produce a picture. The laser printer that can fit more dots into a square inch will produce the clearest, sharpest image. This process is measured using the rating "dpi," or dots per inch. The dpi rating of your HP laser printer has the greatest bearing on its resolution.
The Resolution Scale
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HP laser printers have set the standard in resolution--and most laser printers for home and home office operate within the range of 600 to 1200 dpi. The lower-end 600 is more than adequate for the run-of-the-mill print job with text and simple graphics. A higher-end production printer, or one that must print quality graphics, might have a resolution upward of 2400 dpi.
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More Is not Always Better
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Most HP laser printers offer the choice of printing using terminology that basically means "good, better, or best." The exact terminology will depend on the HP laser printer you select. The better the quality, the higher the resolution and the more ink your print job is using. For most daily print jobs, save yourself some ink by printing using the "good" selection. If you need to print a business letter, consider using the "better" option. If you need to print complicated graphics or are are printing a photo on photo paper and you have an HP laser printer that states it can print photos, then choose the "best" option.
Other Factors That Impact Print Quality
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The ink cartridge you select can have a large bearing on the quality of your picture, even when you are operating at a very high resolution. Poor-quality ink can bleed on your paper and have a negative effect on the image you are trying to print. Additionally, printer paper is designed to optimize the differences between printer resolutions--to help you get the best quality print regardless of your printer's dpi. This means that plain copy paper will work well for laser printers when you are printing document copies. If you are looking to print anything more substantial, such as a flier or pamphlet, consider investing in the best paper.
Test, Test, Test
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Regardless of the resolution on an HP laser printer, it is always best to print a sample to make sure the printer can satisfy your expectations. Individual printers may place dots of different sizes, strengths and even shapes onto the page, which will affect the way a page turns out when printed.
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Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.shopping.hp.com
