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