Printer

This is a device for printing text or graphic information that is stored in a computer to paper.

Printer Options

Functionality of the device

Printing color

Black and white or color printing.

Printing speed

This indicator shows the number of pages printed per minute.

Printing Cost

This is the cost of replacing the color cartridges in an inkjet printer or replacing the toner roller in a laser or LED printer.

Resolution (dpi)

This indicator shows the print quality of an image or text. The higher it is, the better is the print quality.

For photos good print quality is achieved at a resolution of 2400 dpi, for tables and charts need from 1200 dpi, for text documents 600 dpi is enough.

Photo printing

This is the ability of the printer to print color pictures or photos. For photo printing, the printer must have a color cartridge or cartridges with several shades of different colors. And you also need special paper for photo printing.

Operating system compatibility

This indicator shows its ability to work with various operating systems.

Printer tray layout

The printer tray layout can take up a lot of space. This parameter is relevant for small spaces.

Print format

This parameter indicates the paper size supported by the device. Photo printers support printing in A6 format. For standard printers, the maximum print size is A3; the standard format is A4.

Interface type and wireless connection support

As standard, the printer connects to your computer via USB. It can also be connected to the local network that is used in the office or to Wi-Fi.

Operating principle of printers

Dot-matrix printer

A dot matrix printer creates an image on a sheet of paper using a print head (matrix). This head consists of a set of needles. The set of needles is driven by electromagnets. The head moves along the sheet of paper, and the needles strike it through the ink ribbon.

Matrix printers are no longer used for office or home use. They have slow typing speeds and noisy operations.

Inkjet printer

An inkjet printer works like a dot matrix printer. The image is created from dots, but instead of needle heads, a matrix with liquid dyes (cartridge) is used.

The printing speed of such a printer is 10-30 pages per minute.

Inkjet printers are widespread because of their use in many areas:

• Office - printing A3, A4, A5 sized paper
• Large format printing is used for outdoor advertisement printing
• Interior printers are used for printing posters, stands for interiors
• Photo printers - high-quality print photos

Uninterrupted operation of an inkjet printer is achieved through its regular use. Otherwise, the ink on the print head dries out with prolonged downtime.

Instead of using ink cartridges, inkjet printers can support a continuous ink supply system.

This system delivers ink to the printhead from refillable tanks. The cost of printing is significantly reduced.

Laser printer

The main part of a laser printer is the optical photoconductor drum. It retains an electrical charge on its surface. The laser beam hits the optical photoconductor drum and illuminates individual dots on it. Particles of a special composition (toner) are deposited on the drum and stick only to the charged dots, forming an image. The image is then transferred to the paper under high temperature and pressure.

Laser printers have high print speeds, 80 pages per minute while maintaining high print quality.

LED printer

LED printers use LEDs instead of one laser (laser printer). A different LED is used at each point of the paper print line, so unlike laser technology, the light source remains immovable.

3D printer

This type of printer is designed for printing volume 3D components. They are often used for printing in the medical, industrial, or engineering industries. They are also used for domestic applications such as printing a particular detail. To print a volume 3D figure, you will need a computer program with which you will first need to simulate the model.

Sublimation printers

It is also called a thermal sublimation printer. It can print on a dense surface such as plastic.