A laser printer is a type of printer that uses a laser beam and electrically charged powder called toner to create text and images on paper. Unlike inkjet printers that spray tiny droplets of liquid ink, laser printers work more like a high-tech photocopy machine: the laser draws the image on a rotating drum by giving it an electrical charge, toner sticks to the charged areas, and then heat fuses the toner onto the paper.

Laser printers are popular in offices and schools because they print quickly and efficiently. They're especially good at printing large numbers of pages, like reports or homework assignments, and their output is usually very crisp and clean. While most home printers use ink cartridges, many businesses choose laser printers because the toner cartridges last much longer and cost less per page.

The technology gets its name from the laser beam that does the precise work of marking exactly where each letter and image should appear. When you hear a laser printer warming up, that's the heating element called the fuser getting ready to melt the toner onto your paper.