Printers Impact Printers: Non-Impact Printers:

 

 

Printers

Printers are categorized into two main types: impact and non-impact. Impact printers create an image by physically striking an inked ribbon against the paper, while non-impact printers use various methods like ink sprays, lasers, or heat to transfer the image without direct contact. 

Impact Printers:

·         Mechanism: Impact printers use a print head that strikes an inked ribbon, pressing the ribbon against the paper to create the desired characters or images. 

·         Examples: Dot matrix printers are a common type of impact printer. 

·         Pros: Can create carbon copies, relatively inexpensive. 

·         Cons: Noisier, lower print quality, limited graphics capabilities. 

Non-Impact Printers:

·         Mechanism: Non-impact printers do not use a striking mechanism. They utilize technologies like inkjet (spraying ink droplets), laser (using a laser beam and toner), or thermal (using heat) to transfer the image.

·         Examples: Inkjet printers, laser printers, thermal printers.

·         Pros: Quieter, faster, higher print quality, can handle complex graphics.

·         Cons: More expensive than impact printers.

Difference Between Impact and Non-Impact Printers

Parameters	Impact Printer	Non-Impact Printer
Definition	Impact printers create pictures and figures by hitting a device such as a wheel or a print hammer against an inked ribbon.	Non-impact printers create figures and pictures without any connection between the printing device and the paper.
Printing Execution or Mechanism	In impact printers, printing is executed by hammering a character dye or metal pin.	In non-impact printers, printing is executed by dropping ink on paper in any manner.
Speed Of Printers	Impact printers are low in terms of speed.	Non-impact printers are comparatively fast in speed. They can print several pages in one minute.
Noise Of Printers	They produce high-level noise as they have many moving parts.	They have a low level of noise.
Printing Process	Impact printers generally utilize hammers, pins, or wheels to hit against an inked ribbon to print on paper.	Non-impact printers use a spray of ink, laser, or heat and pressure to execute their printing operation.
Print Quality	The print quality of impact printers is lower.	The print quality of non-impact printers is higher.
Printing Ink	When print head strikes, then they prefer special inked ribbons to produce print on paper.	They prefer cartridges or toner for printing on paper.
Technology	They utilize traditional printing technologies.	They utilize contemporary printing technologies.
Value	They are pretty affordable.	They are quite expensive as compared to impact printers.
Paper Sheet Used	They prefer continuous paper sheets.	They prefer individual paper sheets.
Graphic Images	Except Dot matrix printers, no other impact printers can print graphics images.	Printing graphical illustrations are possible in non-impact printers.