Printers are output devices which are produce output on physical media such as paper. The output produce by printer is called hardcopy output.
Categories of printer
Printers are decide into following two categories .
- Impact printer
- Non-impact printer
Impact printer
A impact printer creates an image by pressing inked ribbon against the paper,using pins or hammers to shape the image. It works like a typewriter, which uses small hammers to strike the ribbon. Each hammer is embossed with the shape of an alpha,numeric,character, that shape is transferred through the inked bbon on to the paper, resulting in a printed character.
Common types of impact printer
Common types of impact printers are
- D-Matrix printer
- Drum printer
- Chain printer
Non-impact printers
Non-impact printers print characters and graphics on the paper with lase or with sprayed ink or with heat and pressure without striking paper. These printer are faster, not noise and high quality of print but they are costly as compared to impact printers.
Common types of non-impact printers.
Common types of non-impact printers
- Laser printer
- Inkjet printer
Laser printer
Laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emissions of radiation. Laser printer utilize a laser beam to produce an image on drum . The drum is then rolled through a toner (containing dry ink) and electrically changed portion of the drum pick up ink. One of the important characteristic of laser printers in their resolution. The range from 300dpi to 1200dpi(dot per inch).
Inkjet printer
Inkjet printer is the most popular printer. It sprays tiny drops of ink onto a page to create on image. This is achieved by using magnetized plates which direct to ink's path onto the paper in the desired pattern. A typical ink-jet printer has resolution of 300 to 600 dot per inch(dpi)
