Main Types of Printers

There are various classifications of printers, but in this article we will consider the classification based on the method by which a cartridge — for example, the Canon FX-10 — is refilled or by which printing is performed.

According to this criterion, printers are divided into:

— dot-matrix;

— inkjet;

— laser.

Photo printers stand apart in this classification, and we will not discuss them here.

Dot-matrix printers appeared first. Today these veterans are rarely encountered, having given way to newer generations of printing technology. They work as follows: a pin-type print head strikes the paper through an ink ribbon (black in most cases) installed in the printer. This technology is very reliable, but it had significant drawbacks that prompted the search for other types of devices. One of the main disadvantages of dot-matrix printers is the considerable noise they make during printing. And if an organization has several printers, they can create significant discomfort. The low printing speed also made them difficult to use. At the same time, dot-matrix printers are not sensitive to paper quality, which allows them to be used, for example, in ticket offices or bank teller stations.

Another type, the inkjet printer, prints by spraying a coloring substance (ink) through very fine nozzles located in the printer's print head. Inkjet printers are affordable and can print both black-and-white and full-color. However, it was with the arrival of these printers that refilling cartridges like the HP CB436A became an expensive necessity, unlike the very cheap ribbon of dot-matrix printers. Moreover, inkjet inks tend to bleed not only when exposed to water but also on poor-quality paper, creating the familiar blotting effect. Still, credit is due to this technology, which is now widespread alongside laser printers thanks to its almost comparable print speed and affordability.

Laser printers operate on a principle similar to copiers, with the only difference being that a laser beam is used instead of lamp light. Laser printers print by depositing a special powder, toner, onto the paper; it melts as it passes through the printer's rollers and bonds to the paper. These printers are fairly expensive, and the price of color models generally restricts their use to commercial purposes. However, refilling cartridges for Canon and other laser printers is quite affordable, enabling the average Russian family to do black-and-white printing at home.