Computer Printer Types

A computer peripheral device that produces hard copy text or graphics (usually on paper) from information stored on the computer that is connected to it is computer printer.

Three types of data received by a printer:

* a string of characters

* a vector image

* a bitmapped image

Many printers can process all three types of data, but others can't.

PostScript and PCL printers can print all three types of data. They can also combine all three types of data.

Daisy wheels can only print plain text data.

Plotter printers usually print vector images.

Now it is not unusual to print plain text any everything else by sending bitmapped images to the printer, because it gives you better formatting control. A lot of printer drivers don't ever use the text mode, even if the printer can.

For photo printing and other color applications  ink jet printers are used the most. Ink jet printers spray small distinct amounts of ink onto your media.

Toner-based printers use laser toner cartridges to print on media. This has become the most used toner - based monochrome type of printer used for home and office applications because they have cost effective precision lasers.

Many printers depend on a matrix of dots and pixels that are put together to form a larger image. A dot matrix printer is an impact printer that uses a matrix of small pins to create distinct dots. Dot-matrix printers unlike other impact printers can print text and graphical images, but the quality of the printed text is lower than that of type-based impact printers.

Dot matrix printers are either line-based or character-based. (The configuration of the print head).

Stored energy printers and ballistic wire printers are sub-classifications of  dot-matrix printers.

Low quality, low cost applications like cash registers still usually use dot matrix printers. They can be used to print multi-part documents with carbonless copy paper (like credit card receipts, sales receipts and invoices) because they use an impact printing method. Other printing methods are unusable with carbonless copy paper. Dot-matrix printers are not used as much any more for general computing use.

These printers are for special purposes or were used in the past.

Spark Printer

teletype

thermal wax printer

thermal printer (heat sensitive paper)

dye-sublimation printers

IBM Selectric typewriter

microsphere

The speed of a printer used to be measured by the number of characters per second. Now the speed of a printer is measured in pages per minute. The only time you usually here the speed of a printer mentioned is in advertising.