Computer Printers Key Terms

Learn terms to know what types of printers are available before you buy
By Autumn Rivers, Lead Copywriter Webflo Studios If you are considering buying a new computer printer for your office, make sure you are aware of what is on the market first. This is especially important if you plan to outfit your entire office with new printers. If the last time you bought a printer was years ago, you might be surprised how much things have changed in the printer industry. Knowing the technology and benefits behind each type of printer will help you make an informed decision. Learning a few key terms will help you save money and time by buying the perfect printer for your office the first time around.
 

Inkjet printer

An inkjet printer works by shooting ink droplets onto paper. Its affordability and the reasonable speed with which it prints make it popular for most consumers.
Try: Visit Castle Ink for an explanation of the inkjet printer, along with a lesson about its history.

Laser printer

A laser printer uses static electricity to transfer ink to paper. It is known for being fast and accurate, but it is slightly more expensive than an inkjet printer.
Try: Webopedia explains what a laser printer is and how it works.

Thermal printer

A thermal printer does not need ink to work, as it uses heat to transfer images. However, it does need either heat-sensitive paper or a special ribbon. A thermal printer is often used in point of sale systems, so many receipts from retail stores and restaurants are printed using one. One downside is that the printed images do not last long.
Try: Point of Sale Supply provides details about the available types of thermal printers.

Dot matrix printer

A dot matrix printer uses older technology to create an image out of several dots printed together. It is cheaper than laser and inkjet printers, but also known for having lower quality.
Try: Find a thorough definition of dot matrix printers at electronics-manufacturers.com.

Multifunction printer

A multifunction printer can print, scan, photocopy and even fax, depending on the model. A multifunction printer is often referred to as an all-in-one printer. This type of machine saves consumers money since it is a jack of all trades, but it typically does not perform any one function particularly well.
Try: Tech-FAQ gives an explanation of multifunction printers and their uses.

Photo printer

Though any printer can technically print pictures, a photo printer is specifically designed to print high-quality pictures quickly. The popularity of photo printers has increased with the advent of digital cameras since people prefer to print their own photos.
Try: PCMag provides extensive details about photo printers.