What process do laser printers primarily utilize to apply ink to paper?

Laser printers primarily utilize static electricity as their method for applying toner to paper. The process begins with a laser that creates a static electric image on a rotating drum. This image selectively attracts the fine toner powder, which is made up of plastic particles and pigment. The toner adheres to the areas of the drum that are charged with static electricity, which correspond to the areas where the image is being formed.

Once the toner is transferred from the drum to the paper, heat is applied, which melts the toner and fuses it to the paper, ensuring a permanent bond. This precision and quality produced through the combination of static electricity and heat make laser printers particularly effective for high-resolution printing.

Other methods listed, such as inkjet spraying, involve a different technology where ink is ejected from nozzles directly onto the paper, while thermoforming and direct printing do not apply to the functioning of laser printers.