List of Different Types of Printer in Computer 2024 PDF: A detailed explanation of printers and their types is mentioned here. A few points of the historical evolution of printers are explained. The printer types and their functions are given below. A simple note about the components of the computer and the factors that influence the printers are mentioned in this “List of Different Types of Printer in Computer 2024 PDF”. The advantages and disadvantages of various types of printer are also noted. This will be useful for the students preparing for the government exams, especially bank exams. Finally, some of the basic FAQs are mentioned here for easy identification.

Types of Printer - Download Free PDF

What is a Printer?

A printer is a device that converts digital documents or pictures from a computer into printed copies on paper.

• While printers are capable of a variety of tasks, their primary function is to produce documents, images, and pictures on paper.
• Printers are capable of printing any kind of documents in the form of text, images, and numbers.
• Printing presses play a crucial role in our daily lives. They convert digital information into physical documents that we can read and handle.
• There are many types of printing devices designed for specific people and situations. 
• There are various kinds of printers available, including ones that deliver crisp photographs and others that develop detailed engineering schematics.

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Historical Timeline of Printer's Evolution

Computer printing has generated innovative concepts and enhanced techniques across numerous industries globally. The table below shows the year-wise historical development of printers.

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Different Types of Printers

Printers are available in a variety of sizes, speeds, functionalities, and price ranges. The method used for printing images influences their overall quality. The primary types of printers can be categorized into two groups:

1. Impact Printers
2. Non-Impact Printers

Types of Computer

Impact Printers

Impact printers function similarly to a typewriter that creates images on paper by making direct contact with an ink ribbon. Impact printers encompass various types, such as Daisy-Wheel, Dot-Matrix, and Line printers, etc.

Non-Impact Printers

Non-impact printers can print documents without making contact with the ink ribbon. 

• The maintenance of non-impact printers is less complicated than that of impact printers.
• Technologies like laser, xerographic, electrostatic, chemical methods, and inkjet are utilized by non-impact printers.
• Inkjet, laser, and LED printers are a few examples of non-impact printers.

Inputs and Output Devices of Computer

List of Different Types of Printer

There are different types of list of printers available in today's market i.e.,

• Inkjet Printers
• Laser Printers
• 3D Printers
• LED Printers
• Solid Ink Printers
• Dot Matrix Printers
• Multifunction or All-in-One Printers
• Thermal printer
• Plotter
• Daisy-Wheel Printers
• Line Printers
• Supertank Printers
• Dye-Sublimation Printers
• Continuous Ink Printers
• A3 Printers
• Photo Printers
• Portable Printers
• Label Printers

Inkjet Printers

Because of the high-quality prints they produce, inkjet printers are used both at home and in small businesses.

• Hydraulic technology is used in these printers to precisely spray personified ink over the paper using microscopic nozzles, resulting in sharp and colourful images. 
• Inkjet technology has a high-end capability and can aid in the manufacture of simple yet vibrant images, strong written documents, and detailed graphics.
• Inkjet printers are preferred because of their flexibility to print on a variety of media materials, including paper designed for pictures or other specific stocks.

Laser Printers

Laser printers utilize laser technology to generate crisp text and detailed images.

• An electrostatic image is formed on a photosensitive drum with the help of laser light, which draws in toner particles.
• Many people use laser printers in their workplaces as well as at home.
• They deliver crisp printing, seamlessly tackle large volumes of work, and provide financial savings over time.
• Laser printers excel at handling various document types, delivering high-quality output swiftly and with precision.

3D Printers

A 3D printer is a manufacturing tool that creates three-dimensional objects by layering materials based on a digital design.

• This method referred to as additive production, involves building an object layer by layer using materials like plastic, metal, or resin.
• The printer works with digital 3D models produced by computer-aided design software, which it slices into cross-sectional layers.
• The printer then deposits or solidifies the material layer by layer, gradually constructing the final physical object.

LED Printers

LED printers operate similarly to laser printers in terms of their fundamental processes.

• LED printers utilize a series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to achieve the same outcome, instead of using a laser to form an electrostatic image on a photosensitive drum.
• The toner is subsequently applied to the paper and fused using heat, resulting in high-quality prints.
• Known for their reliability, speed, and cost-effectiveness, LED printers are a favored option for businesses and offices with moderate to high printing demands.

Solid Ink Printers

Solid ink printers utilize solid ink sticks or blocks instead of traditional liquid toner or ink cartridges.

• Originating from Xerox, these printers melt solid ink to form a liquid-like substance, which is subsequently applied to the printing medium.
• The solid ink process is renowned for delivering vibrant color prints with precise and sharp details.
• This technology offers several benefits, including reduced waste, ease of recycling, and the ability to print on diverse media types.
• Solid ink printers are commonly utilized in industrial and photographic arts environments.

Dot Matrix Printers

A dot matrix printer is classified as an impact printer, utilizing a series of pins arranged in small matrices to strike an inked ribbon, thereby producing text and images.

• This type of printer operates on the principle of impact, where the pins make contact with the paper through the ribbon, creating dots that form characters and graphics.
• Consequently, while dot matrix printers were once widely employed for various applications, their usage has declined as they have struggled to compete with contemporary printing technologies such as inkjet and laser printers.

All-in-One Printers or Multifunction

Currently, multifunction printers (MFPs), are commonly known as All-in-One printers (AIOs).

• It represents a highly popular category of devices that integrate various functionalities into a single unit.
• These functions typically include printing, scanning, copying, and occasionally faxing.
• AIO printers are designed to streamline the workload for users and conserve space by consolidating multiple office tasks into one device.

Thermal Printers

A thermal printer generates images or text by applying heat to specially coated paper or other materials.

• Unlike inkjet and laser printers, thermal printers utilize heat-based control mechanisms to selectively activate heat-sensitive components on the printing medium.
• Common applications include generating receipts, labels, and barcode stickers.

Plotter

A plotter printer is a specialized instrument that generates large-scale, high-resolution prints and drawings.

• While traditional printers rely on dot connections to create images, plotters utilize vector images to produce smooth, continuous lines.
• It is commonly used in fields like engineering, architecture, and layout design that rely on plotters to create accurate and detailed illustrations.

Daisy-Wheel Printers

Daisy wheel printing is a mechanical printing technique that creates impressions on paper.

• The term "daisy wheel" is derived from its printing appearance, resembling a daisy flower.
• Typically, it operates at a pace of 25 to 50 characters per second.
• To print, the wheel spins until the desired letter is positioned before the paper.
• After that, a hammer presses the letter against an ink-soaked ribbon and the paper below.
• The daisy wheel is positioned on a device that types letters in a horizontal alignment.
• Despite their slow operation, daisy-wheel printers delivered print quality that matched that of the top-tier typewriters.

Line Printers

A line printer is recognized for its rapid printing abilities, producing one line of text at a time.

• It is commonly employed for generating documents and reports.
• It is particularly prevalent in the printing of invoices in retail environments.
• This type of printer is typically utilized in scenarios that demand large-scale printing.
• The standard operational speed of a line printer is 3000 Lines Per Minute (LPM).
• Unlike printers that utilize individually cut sheets, line printers operate on continuous forms of paper.
• They are used in the business sector for their efficiency in handling high-volume printing tasks and it is cost-effective.

Supertank Printers

Supertank printers come with large ink tanks that can be refilled, eliminating the need for small cartridges.

• For those who need extensive printing and also aim to reduce waste while printing, using a super tank printer could be beneficial.
• It is highly effective for a variety of printing needs.
• Unlike traditional inkjet cartridges, their printhead nozzles are built to be permanent for a longer lifespan.
• Even though the initial investment is high, it helps by reducing the print waste in the home or office.

Dye-Sublimation Printers

Dye-sublimation printers, also known as dye-sub printers, are tailored for printing on particular materials, like plastic.

• For Example, when you need to print vibrant ID cards quickly, this printer can generate numerous copies rapidly.
• These printers offer prints that are both vibrant and long-lasting for brands that manufacture clothes, decorate mugs and water bottles, or produce banners and signs.

Continuous Ink Printers

Be sure not to confuse continuous ink printers with solid ink technology.

• Continuous ink printers utilize both ink and toner, but they allow for ink refills rather than requiring cartridge replacements.
• While ink tank printers have existed for a long time, their popularity has surged recently, leading to rapid sales.
• In our efforts to promote a healthier environment, continuous ink printers are beneficial because they avoid the use of disposable cartridges.

A3 Printers

A3 printers are ideal for printing documents in A3 format.

• While most A3 printers are capable of printing on standard A4 paper, a specialized A3 printer allows you to print larger documents effortlessly.
• An A3 printer is essential for printing on larger paper sizes that standard inkjet or laser printers cannot accommodate.
• Compared to regular A4 printers, A3 printers cost high and require additional space.

Photo Printers

A photo printer is designed to print on bright white photo paper that features a unique coating to prevent ink smudging.

• While certain photo printers can manage all photo paper sizes, others are restricted to producing only small prints like 3x5" or 4x6".
• Printing photos allows you to preserve your cherished memories as tangible items.
• Printing them ensures preserving their lifespan over the years.

Portable Printers

Portable printers are compact, lightweight, and powered by batteries.

• They are designed for mobile users who wish to print images from their notebook computers, tablets, or smartphones while traveling.
• Many of these printers connect via parallel or USB ports, while some models feature built-in wireless capabilities for seamless communication with computers.
• Their dimensions are slightly larger than the pages they print and they fit conveniently into a briefcase.

Label Printers

Label printers are compact devices that produce printed content on adhesive materials.

• You can attach these labels to various items such as envelopes, packages, CDs, toys, and others.
• A variety of label printers are also capable of printing barcodes.

The Various Elements that Make Up a Computer

There are two types of components of the computer i.e., Hardware and software.

• The components of a computer that are accessible to touch and feel are known as hardware. The examples are input devices (Keyboard, Mouse, etc.) and output devices (Printer, Monitors, etc.).
• A collection of instructions, known as software, guides the computer in performing tasks and consists of two types i.e., Application software and system software.

Factors Included in Printers

The following factors are included in most of the types of printers.

• Color printers can produce prints in both color and black and white. As a result, they tend to be more costly than standard printers.
• The printer’s resolution is typically quantified in dots per inch (dpi). High-end printers generally offer resolutions ranging from approximately 550 to 600 dpi.
• To produce a substantial volume of printed materials, it is essential to utilize a high-speed printer. Therefore, the speed of the printer is a critical consideration in the selection process.
• Sufficient memory in printers contributes to enhanced speed and improved performance.

Pros and Cons of Different Types of Printers

All types of printer have several advantages and disadvantages. Here 8 printer types' pros and cons are mentioned below in the table.

FAQs

Q: How many types of printer are detailed in this PDF?

A total of 18 printer types are detailed in this PDF.

Q: What is a printer?

A printer is a device that converts digital documents or pictures from a computer into printed copies on paper.

Q: Which type of printer is typical for home use?

Inkjet printers are used mainly at home.

Q: Where can you download the “List of Different Types of Printer in Computer 2024 PDF”?

On this page, you can download the “List of Different Types of Printer in Computer 2024 PDF”.

Q: What are the primary printer types?

The primary types of printers can be categorized into two groups i.e., Impact Printers and Non-Impact Printers.