Laser Printers Image Quality

[MacBH928]

So I have a laser Brother office printer. I usually print documents but when I print an image the colors are not even close to what is on the screen. And there is jpeg artifacts every where like mid-90s gif. This pushed me to get an inkjet. Recently someone sent me a document printed on a Ricoh laser printer and looked sharp and good enough. I print documents but they do have images, i do not print photos.

Do all laser printers have same image issues, or do they vary by brand and model? I tried to check rtings.com but they all seem to agree any brand or any price will put out bad images if its laser. Any one with more experience please drop in with comments

 

[Dark-Signature]

Printing. I remember hearing about it in history class. Wasn't it really popular in the last millennium?

 

[drrich2]

So I have a laser Brother office printer. I usually print documents but when I print an image the colors are not even close to what is on the screen. And there is jpeg artifacts every where like mid-90s gif. This pushed me to get an inkjet. Recently someone sent me a document printed on a Ricoh laser printer and looked sharp and good enough. I print documents but they do have images, i do not print photos.

I don't have one; your post brought a question to mind - what model Brother are you using?

I went to PC Magazine online and looked at their 'the best laser printers for 2026' article, and saw this:

Best Mainstream Color Laser

Brother MFC-L3780CDW​

I came back to mention it as maybe one to look into, but then it occurred to me that, for all I know, that might be the one you have?

Recently someone sent me a document printed on a Ricoh laser printer and looked sharp and good enough.

Do all laser printers have same image issues, or do they vary by brand and model?

Maybe get the source to send you some more prints from the Ricoh to judge? What model was it?

 

[eyoungren]

Printing. I remember hearing about it in history class. Wasn't it really popular in the last millennium?

This one too! 😉

The print industry has paid my bills and put food on my family's table for 27 years. First in newspapers and for the last seven years in golf collateral like scorecards and yardage books. Oh yes, golfers want that physical printed material - especially when a golf course has an event they want to commemorate.

I'll stop here…😀

 

[FatLouie]

I have a Brother MFC-L8610CDW, and it does a good job. If an artist wants a perfect color match, they'll need to spend thousands more and print on something other than paper or on much higher-quality paper.

I spent a year or so working in a print shop that had pressmen, presses, etc. We did the artwork, layup, and plate burning. I still haven't found a consumer-level laser printer that matches the quality of our work.

The OP could make sure they are using authentic Brother cartridges (many people do not), are on the latest firmware, clean the unit, and calibrate it.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Recently someone sent me a document printed on a Ricoh laser printer and looked sharp and good enough.

Do all laser printers have same image issues, or do they vary by brand and model? I tried to check rtings.com but they all seem to agree any brand or any price will put out bad images if its laser. Any one with more experience please drop in with comments

What Ricoh was it printed on? Ricoh makes some high-dollar printers.

Brother…not so much.

 

[MacBH928]

This one too! 😉

The print industry has paid my bills and put food on my family's table for 27 years. First in newspapers and for the last seven years in golf collateral like scorecards and yardage books. Oh yes, golfers want that physical printed material - especially when a golf course has an event they want to commemorate.

I'll stop here…😀

Printing. I remember hearing about it in history class. Wasn't it really popular in the last millennium?

wait till you learn printers still ship with fax functionality

 

[MacBH928]

I don't have one; your post brought a question to mind - what model Brother are you using?

I went to PC Magazine online and looked at their 'the best laser printers for 2026' article, and saw this:

Best Mainstream Color Laser

Brother MFC-L3780CDW​

I came back to mention it as maybe one to look into, but then it occurred to me that, for all I know, that might be the one you have?




Maybe get the source to send you some more prints from the Ricoh to judge? What model was it?

i have a very similar looking one only my screen is mono 2 line display. I do not know what the model was on the ricoh only a picture. I knows for sure it is a3 printer. thanks for replying to my post

I have a Brother MFC-L8610CDW, and it does a good job. If an artist wants a perfect color match, they'll need to spend thousands more and print on something other than paper or on much higher-quality paper.

I spent a year or so working in a print shop that had pressmen, presses, etc. We did the artwork, layup, and plate burning. I still haven't found a consumer-level laser printer that matches the quality of our work.

From little Q&A and I did online, everyone seem to agree that laser print quality is trash and ink is superior.

The OP could make sure they are using authentic Brother cartridges (many people do not), are on the latest firmware, clean the unit, and calibrate it.

maybe i need to install latest firmware and do the calibrating. I am now thinking maybe the images i used were low resolution. thanks for the advice.

 

[MacBH928]

What Ricoh was it printed on? Ricoh makes some high-dollar printers.

Brother…not so much.

My understanding was the best laser won't print as good of an image as the cheapest ink. I was told there are high quality laser printers but we are talking in the thousands price range and still won't match average ink printer.