What are the Different Types of Printers?

A printer is an output device used to create any document’s print or hard copy. It is also called a computer printer, a device that takes images or text files from a computer and changes it into a medium such as paper or film. A document can be of any type, such as an image, text file, or combination. We can directly connect with a computer or indirectly with a network.

The printer is the most important hardware component of a computer. In the beginning, there were two types of printers one was 2D and the second 3D. Technology is progressing day by day. Now there are many types of printers in the market. In this blog post, you will learn about types of printers. You will also learn some amazing and interesting facts about the printer that will surprise you.

Different Types of Printers

As technology grows, different versions of printers introduce. Now five types of printers exist in the market. Every type has its advantages and disadvantages. The five categories of printers are:

1. Laser printers
2. 3D printers
3. LED printers
4. Solid ink printers
5. Thermal printers

Laser Printers

Laser printers are the common type of electronic printer. It was introduced in 1971 by Xerox PARC and Gary Starkweather. The laser printer usage for laser printing to print text or images. Like a photocopier, laser printers understand the electronic data from a connected device. The beam sends this information to the drum inside the printer, which builds a pattern of static electricity. It attracts a dry powder called toner onto the fused paper using heated rollers.

Application of Laser Printers

1. Laser printers use in the office setting and home computing use.
2. It mostly uses in the daily routine for taking prints like documents, letters, spreadsheets, presentations, stationary, labels, flyers, and brochures.
3. It is used for taking black color prints.

Advantages of Laser Printer:

1. Laser print can print documents speedily.
2. It can increase productivity.
3. It has a higher printing capacity.
4. It is less expensive compared to the inkjet printer.
5. It also supports different fonts and styles.

Disadvantages of a Laser Printer:

1. The laser printer rapidly warms up.
2. It needs a large voltage that leads to small carbon emissions.
3. Color printing is not possible.
4. It does not give the best graphic quality.

3D Printers

The 3D printer was built in 1984 by Chuck Hull. It was great progress in the field of printing technology. Now it is using only for 3D object designing and building. In 3D printing, objects create through an additive process. In the additive process printer places layer after layer of material until the desired thing print. It uses metal alloys, plastics, polymers, and foods. 3D printers have countless applications, such as IT, Archaeology, density, biotechnology, and engineering.

Some Uses of the 3D Printers

1. 3D Printers use in informational systems.
2. It operates in biotechnology.
3. It plays an important role in archaeology and aerospace engineering.
4. It also uses in dentistry.

Benefits of 3D printers

1. The 3D printer allows the user to print objects in 3D animations.
2. It can be fully customization.
3. It is very cheap and easy to access. 
4. It gives unlimited shapes and geometry.
5. It has a better print quality.

Drawbacks of 3D printers

1. 3D printers consume high energy.
2. Its resin and initial price are high.
3. It contains some small materials.
4. It is slow compared to others.

LED Printers

The LED printer is related to a laser printer. It uses the ink, drum, and fuser system to print colored and black documents. These types of printers are non-impact. OKI invented these printers in 1989. LED printers are more efficient and reliable than laser light. The LED light strikes the positively charged drum and deletes the charge where it lands, instead creating a negative charge in the image of the printing page.

Applications of LED Printers

1. LED printers use for the quick response of printing.
2. It uses for printing letters and reports for desktop publishing.
3. It also has a black color print.

Pros of the LED Printer

1. The LED printer is cheaper than a laser printer.
2. It can print on 3D items.
3. These types of printers contain free warranty extensions.
4. It is environmentally friendly.
5. It is fast in printing.

Cons of LED Printer

1. The LED printer does not need much heat to melt.
2. Very few are in production.
3. It has an inferior printing quality.

Solid Ink Printers

Solid ink printers are the latest invention in the field of printers. Its developing plan was to save space and money on packaging. Before use, it melts into the liquid. The solid ink printer is quite different when ink drives on paper in inkjet printers. Tekronix Inc invented the solid ink printer.

At the beginning of 1986, many businesses used solid ink printers. Today it is used in developing countries like Europe, the USA, Canada, and Australia. Solid ink was wax. It was heated until it melted and changed into a liquid. The ink passes onto the paper to produce your desired result.

Uses of Solid Ink Printers

1. Solid Ink printer helps to produce more vivid colors.
2. It is used for taking good image quality.
3. It is used for a long printing job.

Advantages of Solid Ink Printer

1. It produces variable colors and excellent print quality.
2. You can easily handle it.
3. It was made of non-toxic vegetable oils which do not melt in hands.
4. Its fast printing speed can print up to 30 pages per minute.
5. It takes less space compared to a color laser printer.
6. It has a high-quality glossy print.

Disadvantages of Solid Ink Printer

1. A solid ink printer requires heat to warm up.
2. This printer waste more power.
3. The color of a solid ink printer melts in the sunlight.
4. By chance, if you turn off the printer in the mid of printing, it will take some time to warm up.
5. It is expensive.
6. It can not print on photo paper.

Thermal Printers

Thermal Printers generate images by pressing electrically heated pins. This sensitive paper is known as the thermal printer. This printer helps to make use of heat-sensitive paper. When a spot of special paper is heated, it becomes dark. Some unique style is printing with a template of dots. An electric current warms the heating elements. These heated sensitive papers are also called chemically treated papers. This type of printer did not use ink or ribbon.

Some Applications of Thermal Printers

1. Thermal printers are useful for printing items like receipts and shipping labels.
2. You can use it for long printing jobs

Pros of Thermal Printers

1. Thermal printers can produce high-quality colors.
2. It does not create noise.
3. You can save time using this because it does not need ribbons.
4. It is easy to use because it contains fewer buttons.
5. These printers are cheaper and available in many sizes and models.
6. It is efficient and faster than others.

Cons of Thermal Printers

1. Thermal printers create a print on special paper.
2. During printing, a large amount of heat can harm the print head.
3. The emitting heat can be harmful to the human body.
4. It is more expensive than others.

Some Interesting Facts About the Types of Printers

1. Laser printers consume more energy.
2. The smallest printer in the world is 2*2*11.
3. Fuser rollers can reach up to 401 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. The world’s largest printer is 40*164 feet.
5. The fastest printer in the world can print 150 pages in one minute.
6. RISO developed the fastest printers in the world.
7. You can use printers to print food too.
8. Syphon Recorder develops the first inkjet printer.

Learn more About the Types of Printers

I have already written many articles on this topic. Here, I am sharing the link related to this topic. You can easily access and read them. Click here:

Conclusion

A computer printer is a machine that takes images or text files from a computer and changes it into a medium such as paper or film. A document can be of any type, such as an image, text file, or combination. We can directly connect with a computer or indirectly with a network.

With the development of technology, printers are designed according to demand. There are six types of printers in the market. Everyone has different features and functionality power. The six types of printers are; laser printers, 3D printers, LED printers, solid ink printers, and thermal printers. 

FAQs About the Printer Types

In this section, I give the answers of all questions about the printer types. Further, if you have any query then you can ask in the comment section. I will assist you.