| The word printer means different things | | | | printers · Laser printers · Plotters |
| in different fields of applications. | | | | · Thermal printers · Digital minilabs |
| Going by the generic meaning, a printer | | | | Generally in an office environment, the |
| means one who is in the occupation of | | | | first three types of printers are the |
| printing and publishing. It also means a | | | | preferred ones. These are designed |
| device which prints out the results of | | | | especially for office needs such as |
| data computed by computers, as applied | | | | printing text matters, graphics like |
| to computers. In the celluloid world, it | | | | charts and power point presentation |
| stands for devices used to copy and | | | | documents etc with an exception that |
| modify films. It is extremely relevant | | | | plotters are dedicated for uses like |
| to talk about the computer printers in | | | | constructional drawings which can't be |
| this article. | | | | 'printed'. |
| Computer Printer A computer printer | | | | How Printers Work Inkjet printers print |
| transforms digitally stored documents of | | | | by placing extremely small (50-60 |
| graphics or text data into paper/hard | | | | microns in size) ink drops precisely in |
| copies. Printers can be permanently | | | | the format of the original document. The |
| interfaced with individual computers or | | | | precision is so high that equals |
| can be anywhere in the network, | | | | resolutions of 1440x720 dpi. The dots |
| invariably through network interfaces, | | | | can any colors in predetermined |
| either wired or wireless, so that any or | | | | combination to create color images. |
| all users can share for hard copy | | | | Laser printers work similar to |
| production. You will normally see a | | | | photocopiers but differing in producing |
| wired network in small areas known as | | | | images. The document is directly scanned |
| LAN and wireless networks or Ethernets | | | | on to a photosensitive drum creating a |
| are over a wide area (WAN). | | | | negative image which is later developed |
| Types of Modern Printers Printers have | | | | by 'lamping back' and pressurized |
| evolved so much that you can have true | | | | rolling over the paper by fusing. |
| life quality printing with them which is | | | | Plotters can print only line diagrams by |
| a departure from the earlier 'dot | | | | one or more pens moving laterally |
| matrix' printers. Here are some printers | | | | according to the commands received by |
| which are relevant today. · Inkjet | | | | them. |