What are the differences of Piezo and Thermal Inkjet Printers

Both piezo inkjet (PIJ) and thermal inkjet (TIJ) technologies are an excellent solution for marking applications, with high resolution, low expense, and low maintenance requirements.While although TIJ and PIJ share similarities, there are some differences between them.

1. Working Principles
Piezo inkjet printers use electrical charges and vibrations to create tiny droplets of ink, and send them onto a substrate.
On the other hand, thermal inkjet printers release ink into small chambers of the ink cartridge and then quickly increase the heat inside those chambers. This creates vapor bubbles inside the chambers. Then the bubbles push the ink out of the nozzle, to a certain substrate.

2. Print Quality
Piezo printers have precise control on ink droplets’ size, resulting in sharp and detailed images. PIJ has the highest resolution of 300 DPI.
On the other hand, thermal inkjet printers are known its high resolution, which can be 600 DPI (HP2.5 technology) and 4800 DPI (HP4.0 technology) at most.

3. Versatility and Durability
In terms of versatility and durability, thermal inkjet printers are often considered to be more robust and reliable. These printers are capable of handling a wide range of printing materials, including glossy paper, labels, and even textiles. Additionally, thermal inkjet printers are less prone to clogging, making them a more reliable option for businesses that require continuous and uninterrupted printing.

4. Cost and Maintenance
When it comes to cost and maintenance, piezo inkjet printers may require more regular maintenance compared to thermal inkjet printers. The piezoelectric crystals used in these printers may get clogged or damaged over time, leading to higher maintenance costs.

On the other hand, thermal inkjet printers are generally more cost-effective to maintain and require minimal intervention to keep them running smoothly. TIJ cartridges are easily replaced when the ink is used up, and there is no need for periodic external maintenance to maintain print quality. Besides, there is very little training needed to run and maintain a TIJ printer.

5. Speed and Efficiency: TIJ can print faster than PIJ.

Regardless of which type of printer you choose, both piezo and thermal inkjet printers have revolutionized the world of printing and have made it easier and more convenient than ever to produce high-quality prints.