Devices that Output Hard Copy Section 3B

Objectives List the three most commonly used types of printers. List the four criteria you should consider when evaluating printers. Describe how a dot matrix printer creates an image on a page. Explain how a laser printer creates an image on a page. Explain how an ink jet printer creates an image on a page. List four types of high quality printing devices commonly used in business.

Overview of Printers Categories of Printers Impact printer Creates an image by using pins and hammers to press an inked ribbon against the paper Non-impact printer Uses other means to create an image Ink jet printers use tiny nozzles to spray droplets onto the page Laser printers use heat to bond microscopic particles of dry toner to specific parts of the page.

Overview of Printers (cont.) Printer evaluation criteria Image quality Also know as print resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi) The more dpi a printer can print the higher its image quality Speed Printer speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm) Initial cost Cost have gone done dramatically in the last few years A good ink jet printer for personal use can go for $100 or less. Cost of operation Cost of ink or toner can vary with the type of printer. Cost of paper should also be considered.

Dot Matrix Printer Commonly used in workplaces where physical impact with the paper is important Such as use for printing carbon-copy or pressure sensitive forms Create an image by using a mechanism called a printer head which contains a cluster of short pins The speed of the dot matrix printer is measured in characters per second (cps).

Dot Matrix Printer (cont.) Other Type of impact printers Line printers Uses a special wide head that can print an entire line of text at one time Band printers Features a rotating band embossed with alphanumeric characters. Daisy wheel printer These printers are nearly obsolete, but it uses a spinning wheel with characters embossed around its edges, this printer cannot print graphics.

Ink Jet Printers Create an image directly on the paper by spraying ink through tint nozzles. Color ink jet printers have 4 nozzles: cyan (blue), Magenta (red), yellow and black. For this reason they are called CMYK printers or using the CMYK process. Ink jet printers have been combined with other technologies to create complete, all-in-one office machines.

Laser Printers Are more expensive than ink jet printers Their print quality is higher Their speed is faster

Self Check Image quality is also known as ___________ when discussing printers. In a dot matrix printer, a(n) _____________ contains a cluster (or matrix) of pins. _______________ printers are nearly obsolete. resolution print head Daisy wheel

Other High-Quality Printers Thermal-wax printers Dye-sub printers Photo printers IRIS printers Plotters