Computer PrintersComputer PrintersComputer PrintersComputer Printers

Principles of Information Technology

Lytle High School

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Categories of Printers Categories of Printers

Just as all computers fall into two categories, so do all printers.

Impact Printers use ribbons.

Non-Impact Printers do not use ribbons.

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The Impact PrinterThe Impact Printer

Impact printers use ribbons.

The ribbon is pressed against the paper with a special print device to produce the text and graphic images.

This causes impact printers to be noisy.

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The Dot-Matrix PrinterThe Dot-Matrix Printer

One of the most commonly used impact printers is the Dot-Matrix.

Text and graphics are produced with little dots.

They use single-sheet or fan-folded, tractor feed paper.

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It is possible that some businesses may still use these types of printers.

The Dot-Matrix PrinterThe Dot-Matrix Printer

They were and still are inexpensive and very affordable.

They use ribbons which makes them inexpensive to use and maintain.

Some Dot-Matrix printers can even print in color with special color ribbons.

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The Daisy Wheel PrinterThe Daisy Wheel Printer Another type of popular impact

printer was the Daisy Wheel. Even though much slower then

a Dot Matrix, they were popular because of their ability to print text like a typewriter.

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Daisy Wheel printers are no longer being made, but I am sure many still work and some may still be used in some businesses.

Non-Impact PrintersNon-Impact Printers

Non-Impact printers do not use ribbons and therefore are much quieter.

One such printer is the Laser printer.

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The Laser PrinterThe Laser Printer

Laser printers are fast, very quiet and produce excellent quality text and graphics.

Once, very expensive, the cost have come down and are now affordable for small businesses and home use.

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The Laser PrinterThe Laser Printer

Most laser printers only produce black and white text and graphics.

Color laser printers are available and are now used in business and in homes.

Prices are coming down and color lasers are becoming very affordable.

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The Ink-Jet PrinterThe Ink-Jet Printer

Another non-impact printer is the Ink-Jet printer.

Using ink to print text and color graphics, Ink-Jet printers are very quiet.

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PlottersPlottersPlottersPlotters

Another type of printer is the Plotter.

Plotters are used in engineering and other types of similar firms for producing large print outs.

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The paper in the picture is approximately 36” across.

The Cost of PrintersThe Cost of Printers

Over the last few years, Laser and Ink-Jet printers have come down in price.

More and more of them are being sold is stores like Office Deport and Best Busy.

They have become very common in homes and businesses.

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Printer PricesPrinter Prices While the ribbons for the old impact printers were

inexpensive, the same is not true for today’s Ink Jet or Laser printers.

Sometimes, a set of ink cartridges for an Ink Jet printer, can cost more than the printer itself.

Toner cartridges for the Laser Printers are also quite expensive.

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Print DriversPrint Drivers

It does not matter which printer you use, printers require special software in order for them to work with computers.

The special software for printers are called drivers.

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Print DriversPrint DriversPrint DriversPrint Drivers

It is important that the proper software driver be set up for the printer being used.

For example, an Epson printer will not work properly with a Panasonic print driver.

A Hewlett Packard printer will not work with the driver software for an Okidata printer.

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While MS-Windows attemps to provide drivers for many of the most common printers, manufactures also provide drivers for their various models of printers.

Things to CheckThings to Check

If you try to print a document and nothing prints, or strange characters print, check the printer setup.

Ensure the computer has the proper print driver selected the the printer being used.

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Things to CheckThings to Check

If the printer you are using continues to give you problems, check these other things.

Is the printer ON? Is it ON-LINE? Are the cable

connections tight?

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ConclusionConclusion

This lesson on computer printers is complete.

View this lesson as many times as needed and make sure your notes are in order.

Be prepared to share what you have learnd with others.

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