Commonly Used PrintersImpact printersGenerate output by striking the paperUses an inked ribbon Non-impact printersUse methods other than forceTend to be quiet and fast

Commonly Used PrintersDot matrix printersImpact printerUsed to print to multi-sheet pagesPrint head strikes inked ribbonLine printersBand printersSpeed measured in characters per second

Teaching TipFigure 4B.5 on page 163 provides an excellent rendering of how the print head works. Be sure to refer to the image as you teach.

Dot Matrix Print Head

Commonly Used PrintersInk-jet printersNon-impact printerInexpensive home printerColor output common using CMYKCyan, magenta, yellow, blackSprays ink onto paperSpeed measured in pages per minuteQuality expressed as dots per inch

Insider informationNearly all of the electronics for the printer is kept in the ink cartridge. Thus, when the cartridge is replaced the printing components of the printer are replaced. Refilling cartridges is OK, but should not be reused more than 2-3 times.

Dots Per Inch

Commonly Used PrintersLaser printerNon-impact printerProduces high quality documentsColor or black and whitePrint processLaser draws text on pageToner sticks to textToner melted to pageSpeed measured in pages per minuteQuality expressed as dots per inch

Insider informationThe laser printer works on a similar process to a photocopier. The first photocopier as we know it today was invented in Astoria NY in 1938 by Chester Carlson and Otto Kornei.

Commonly Used PrintersAll-in-one peripheralsScanner, copier, printer and faxPopular in home officesPrices are very reasonable

Comparing PrintersDetermine what you needDetermine what you can spendInitial costCost of operatingImage qualitySpeed

High-Quality PrintersSpecial purpose printersUsed by a print shopOutput is professional gradePrints to a variety of surfaces

High-Quality PrintersPhoto printersProduces film quality picturesPrints very slowPrints a variety of sizes

High-Quality PrintersThermal wax printersProduces bold color outputColor generated by melting waxColors do not bleed Operation costs are lowOutput is slow

High-Quality PrintersDye sublimation printersProduces realistic outputVery high qualityColor is produced by evaporating inkOperation costs are highOutput is very slow

High-Quality PrintersPlottersLarge high quality blueprintsOlder models draw with pensOperational costs are lowOutput is very slow

Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.McGraw-Hill Technology Education

Chapter 4BEnd of Chapter

Teaching TipFigure 4B.5 on page 163 provides an excellent rendering of how the print head works. Be sure to refer to the image as you teach. Insider informationNearly all of the electronics for the printer is kept in the ink cartridge. Thus, when the cartridge is replaced the printing components of the printer are replaced. Refilling cartridges is OK, but should not be reused more than 2-3 times. Insider informationThe laser printer works on a similar process to a photocopier. The first photocopier as we know it today was invented in Astoria NY in 1938 by Chester Carlson and Otto Kornei.