No, laser printers do not use pigment ink.
How Laser Printers Work
Laser printers utilize a unique process that sets them apart from inkjet printers. Instead of liquid ink, they employ a fine powder called toner. This toner, which is neither dye nor pigment-based ink, is electrostatically charged and adheres to a drum before being transferred to the paper. Heat then fuses the toner to the paper, creating the final print.
- Toner: A dry powder, composed of finely ground plastic particles. This is fundamentally different from liquid inks used in inkjet printers.
- Electrostatic Charging: The laser creates an electrostatic charge on the drum, attracting the toner to specific areas.
- Heat Fusing: Heat is used to melt and permanently bond the toner to the paper.
This process allows laser printers to produce sharp, high-quality prints, both in black and white and color. The use of toner, a dry powder, is a key differentiating factor between laser and inkjet printing technologies. The reference provided explicitly states: "Laser printers use toner powder instead of dye or pigment-based ink."
