Everybody learns about printers in school. In simple words, they are hardware devices that print the documents stored in your computer. However, nowadays, printers are more than just devices that convert your softcopy documents to hardcopy. In this article, you will learn about printers, their types, advantages and disadvantages, their uses and much more.
Categories of Printers
There are two broad categories of printers, namely, 3D and 2D printers. Both are used for printing and converting digital data into physical material. However, they both work differently.
3D Printers
3D printing is a technology that was previously only used in different areas of the industrial sector for building prototypes of various products. However, a 3D printer can also be bought for homes now. They can be used to make household objects of need. They can print complex designs cost-effectively, with minimum wastage but there can be inaccuracies in the print and the cost-effectiveness only last with large volumes.
The most common types of 3D printers are Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Electronic Beam Melting (SLM), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), etc.
2D Printers
The most widely known type of printer is 2D. These printers are for printing text and images on all sizes of paper. There are different types of printers for every kind of printing. Here are a few that are most common.
1. Laser Printers
These printers use photocopier technology. It employs a laser, a photoreceptor, a selenium-coated drum and toner to print a document.
● Use
Laser printers are usually used by businesses. Monochrome laser printers are used to print text documents while colored printer is for letterheads, images, graphic design, etc.
● Pros
- Print is not messy
- More efficient than Ink Jet Printers
- High printing speed
● Cons
- Bulky in size
- Expensive to buy
- More warm-up time
2. Ink Jet Printers
These are the most popular printers, used in offices and homes alike. They use ink cartridges and print content by spraying ink onto the paper. One can buy lexmark ink cartridges online.
● Use
They are used to produce high quality prints and can print both text and images. They are mostly used to print images with vivid colours.
● Pros
- High-quality prints
- Easy to use
- Less warm-up time
● Cons
- Requires frequent ink replacements
- Takes more time to print
- Prints are wet
3. Thermal Printers
These printers make use of thermal paper instead of toner or ink cartridges to print a document.
● Uses
They are most commonly used in a variety of places like retail stores, airports, banks, etc. usually for printing receipts. They are also used for printing labels.
● Pros
- Sustainable in nature
- Easy to use
- Noise-free
● Cons
- Low quality coloured prints
- More Expensive
- Print may fade
4. Dot Matrix Printers
These printers use a print head to strike an ink ribbon in order to print a document. The text and images are formed through tine dots being placed upon the paper.
● Uses
They are used less than before as inkjet and laser printers have replaced it most places. They is still used in manufacturing businesses.
● Pros
- More Reliable
- Less maintenance cost
- Low cost per page
● Cons
- Slow Printing Speed
- Low Quality Image Printing
- Too much noise
5. Solid Ink Printers
These printers melt ink sticks onto the paper to print a document. They are known for their high quality prints with vibrant tones.
● Uses
They are used by graphic designers because of their vibrant prints.
● Pros
- High quality prints
- Printing speed fast
- No spillage or leakage issue
● Cons
- Too much wait for heating or cooling
- Cannot laminate prints
- Consumes more power
Bottom Line
So, this article has provided information about all the most common printers. By now, you must have enough knowledge about them to make the correct choice if you wish to buy one.