Computer Printers: They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and prices. Different computer printer technologies provide differences in image quality, print speed, affordability, sustainability, and even noise. Inkjets, plotters, dot matrix, lasers. What does this all mean? Laser printers are toner-based and work much like photocopiers. As the name suggests, these printers use precision lasers to adhere toner to paper using pressure and heat. Laser printers will generally cost a bit more than most other printers, but the money spent is well worth the investment. They are known for their fast, high-quality printing, as well as their low cost per copy. If you’re doing a lot of printing, spending more on a laser will end up saving you money in the long run. The high-speed, quality images they produce and frugal use of ink make laser printers ideal for students, as well as offices and small businesses.

Inkjet printers use liquid ink instead of toner, which is sprayed in very small, precise droplets onto the paper. These are the most common consumer printers because their initial costs are very low. Although inkjet printers print slower than lasers and require time for the liquid ink to dry, they print quietly and some, called photo printers, are equipped with additional pigment to produce a much broader color spectrum. These photo printers can print on high-quality photo paper and cardstock, as well as regular office paper. However, the initial cost of inkjet printers is low for a reason: the cost per copy is much higher than with lasers, requiring consumers to purchase more ink cartridges more frequently. Inkjet printers certainly produce high-quality images with very accurate colorations, so if you don’t mind renewing your ink cartridges regularly or if you don’t plan to print often, an inkjet printer might be right for you. .

Dot-matrix printers use a print head that moves back and forth across a page, striking an ink-soaked ribbon against the paper. This impact print works much like a typewriter and is equally capable of making carbon or carbonless copies. Unlike a typewriter, the letters on a dot matrix printer are not fixed. Instead, any type or size of font can be created using a dot matrix, which arranges small dots to form shapes much like Lite-Brite. Many dot matrix printers are designed with multiple print heads to produce a fast print that covers the entire width of a page almost instantly. These are made for high volume production, are known for their ease and flexibility of use, and are advantageous for their carbon copy capability.

Plotters are used to print posters and flyers on very large sheets of paper and are unique in that they maintain a very high resolution despite the size of the page. They print quickly and have very high image quality. For professional printing that requires exact details and brilliant images on a large scale, plotters are the printer of choice. Most plotters come equipped with time-saving features like continuous adjustments that mitigate interruptions and optimize both quality and reliability.