Computer Printers

A printer is basically electro-mechanical equipment that is used to reproduce electronic information on a paper. The printer, on receiving a command from the computer storing the information, prints out the data on standard size paper. There are many printers available in the market and their price depends on their printing speed and resolution. Generally, expensive printers are used to print high resolution images.

In the 19th century, Charles Babbage developed an automatically operated device for the Difference Engine. This device was the first printer in the world. The first commercial use of computer printer was done by the Univac System in 1953. The printer designed by engineers of Remington-Rand was based on the configuration of Xerox’s electro photograph machines.

The hard drive in a printer stores all the printing jobs to be done. A printer saves the confidential documents before it receives command from the computer. Before the printing process starts the printer asks the user to enter username and password. To do bulk printing slight adjustment is required in the common printers. Otherwise, a regular computer printer is equipped to collate all the documents for printing by its own.

Normally, printers are ideal to handle low volume and short turnaround printing jobs. Most printers are considered to be slow devices. However, in most common printers the cost per page is quite high. Printers today are seen as a replacement for the age old printing machines. When the printing machines are considered to be ideal for bulk printing jobs, the modern printers of today with high performance quality are used by many to do mass printing jobs efficiently. Today there are large varieties of printers available in the market. They can be selected depending on the speed and job requirement.

Toner-based printers: These printers work on Xerographic theory, which can be found in large number of photocopiers. The laser printer is one of the most popular types of toner-based printer. Laser printers are popular for its high print speed, good printing quality and low cost-per-page. The laser printers can be easily available in various colour and monochrome varieties. These printers are extensively used in office jobs. Since these printers are very expensive, are not much used for normal home jobs.

Liquid inkjet printers: This kind of printers spray differently sized ink droplets on any standard page. Mainly due to its affordable price, these printers are commonly used for home jobs. Inkjet printers are also high in quality and are configured to print with different colours.

Solid ink printers: These are also called phase-change printers. Basically, these printers fall under the category of thermal transfer printer. The solid ink printers are named so because, CMYK coloured ink in solid stick shapes are used in it.

Thermal printers: These are very complicated printers which can run only over a specially designed heat-sensitive paper. The Monochrome thermal printers are widely used in gasoline dispensers, cash registers, fax machines and ATMs.

Dye-sublimation printers: In these printers heat is used to transmit dye in various mediums, which can be a canvas, plastic card or a paper. These printers are mainly known for printing high quality colour documents such as a colour photograph.