Printer Types
Any
of the current types of printers satisfies the work and cost
requirements for someone. Each has strengths and weaknesses. Choose
your type of printer based on which of the features previously
discussed are important to your work, then choose the specific
printer that best suits both your tasks and pocketbook.
Impact
Printers
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With
this type of printer something strikes paper & ribbon together
to form a character, like a typewriter.
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Advantages:
Less
expensive
Fast (some
types)
Can make multiple copies with multipart paper
Disadvantages: Noisy!
Print quality lower in some types.
Poor
graphics or none at all.
Types of Impact Printers
Dot Matrix
Forms
characters using row(s) of pins,
9, 18, or 24 which impact the ribbon on top of the paper. Also called
pin printers. The more pins, the smoother-looking the characters.
Most dot matrix printers have the characteristics
below:
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A
dot-matrix y & an enlargement
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Bi-directional -
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prints left to right
and also right to left
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Tractor feed -
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uses sprockets to pull
continuous-feed paper
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Friction feed -
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uses pressure to pull
single sheets
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Advantages:
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Inexpensive
Can
do multi-copy forms
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Disadvantages:
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Can be slow
Loud
Graphics of low quality, if possible at all
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Daisy Wheel
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Characters are fully
formed on the "petals", like typewriter keys.
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Advantages:
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Best
print quality
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Disadvantages:
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Very slow - 20 to
80 cps
Only
one font can be used at a time because you must change out
the Daisy Wheel to change fonts.
Cannot
print graphics.
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Chain and
Band Printers
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Uses characters on a band or chain that is moved into place
before striking the characters onto the paper.
Advantages:
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Very
fast up to 3000 lpm (lines
per minute)
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Disadvantages:
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Very expensive
Very loud
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Non-Impact
Printers
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This
type of printer does not involve actually striking the paper.
Instead, it uses ink spray or toner powder.
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Advantages:
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Quiet!
Can
handle graphics and often a wider variety of fonts than
impact printers.
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Disadvantages:
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More expensive
Slower
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Types of Non-Impact Printers
Ink Jet
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Sprays ink onto paper to form characters
Advantages:
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Quiet
High
quality text and graphics. Some
can do color.
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Disadvantages:
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Cannot use
multiple-copy paper
Ink can smear
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Thermal
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Uses
heat on chemically treated paper to form characters.
Fax machines that use rolls of paper are also of this type.
Advantages:
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Quiet
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Disadvantages:
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Relatively slow
Expensive, requiring special paper
Cannot use
multiple-copy paper
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Page Printer
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Works like a copy machine, using toner and a heat bar. Laser
printers are in this category.
Advantages:
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Quiet
Faster
than other non-impact printers, from 4 to 16 ppm (pages per
minute)
High quality print and graphics. Some
can do color.
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Disadvantages:
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More expensive than
impact printers
Cannot use multiple-copy paper
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