Impact printers are those kinds of printers that push a metal or plastic head on a paper’s surface with the help of a ribbon containing ink. When the ribbon presses on the paper, it forms the image, character, or text. These printers are relatively loud and noisy than Non-impact printers as they have direct physical contact with the paper.
Some common advantages and disadvantages of impact printers are:
Advantages:
- Low cost of the ink cartridge.
- Impact printers can print carbon or carbonless papers.
- Can print on custom size papers.
- Can print multiple copies at a time.
Disadvantages:
- They create noise when a plastic head strikes on paper.
- These printers have low-quality of resolution.
- Sometimes paper is stuck in pins.
- Have to adjust the printing paper manually.
TYPES OF IMPACT PRINTERS
Impact printers are classified further into two types. Listing some examples of impact printers:
- Dot-Matrix printer
- Daisy wheel printer
We’ll talk about these two types in detail!
1. Dot Matrix.
The Dot-matrix printing technique is fundamental, as the paper is pressed against a rubber-coated cylinder (drum) and is drawn continuously along as printing progresses. Dot-matrix printer consists of several pins, which arranges according to the printing requirement; the more pins, the higher the resolution. These printers have the highest resolution of 240dpi.
1.1 Advantages And Disadvantages
Some common advantages and disadvantages of dot matrix printer are:
| ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|
| Dot Matrix printers are less expensive and can be found easily in the market. | The output resolution of the dot matrix is comparatively low than the laser and inkjet printers. |
| Dot Matrix’s printing costs are the lowest than the other printers. | The printer creates a noise when the pins struck on the paper. |
| These printers don’t require frequent change of paper as they work on continuous feed of paper. | The print head quickly brakes due to the bending in pins. |
| These printers are used in the industrial environment as they tolerate severe conditions. | You have to adjust papers manually in this printer, which is time-consuming. |
1.2 Features of Dot-Matrix
We’ve listed some essential characteristics of the Dot matrix printer.
Ribbons:
Dot-matrix printers use a ribbon coated with ink. When the pins strike the paper to pass on the ink, the paper feeder moves the paper after the computer’s command.
Pins:
Dot-matrix performance is based on the pins as they significantly affect the printer’s quality and movement. The pins are the ones that play a vital role in this printer.
Working:
The construction of a dot matrix printer is based on its pins. These printers can print images and documents. Dot-matrix prints one text or shape from its matrix system, which contains several pins. After that, a variety of metal pins touch the inked ribbon, and the image passes to the tractor feed paper cover.
2. Daisy Wheel Printer
The technology idea of the Daisy wheel printer lies behind a manual typewriter. The Daisy wheel’s print heads are made of plastic or metal wheels that are shaped into petals. Each petal has alphabets and numbers. Punctuation marks are also shown on these petals. The desired shape is formed after the surface of the paper is touched by the petal.
2.1 Advantages and Disadvantages
Some common advantages and disadvantages of daisy wheel printer are:
| Non-impact Printers | Impact Printers |
|---|---|
| These printers form images without physical contact. | These printers produce images with physical contact with the paper. |
| They don’t use any mechanical devices. | These printers use Electro-mechanical devices. |
| Their printing speed is much faster than other printers.. | These printers can only cover a page in 25 seconds. |
| Non-impact printers are silent during the process. | They create so much noise during the printing process. |
NON- IMPACT PRINTERS
The kind of printer that produces images and text documents without hitting the paper is a Non-impact printer. Non-impact printers do not have physical contact with the paper. Different types of non-impact printers use different technology for transferring ink onto the paper. Some of them use spray ink, while others use laser technology.
Do users usually ask what are the disadvantages of non-impact printers? We’ve listed out some characteristics of non-impact printers:
Advantages:
- They are capable of printing at high speed.
- These printers are fit for mass production.
- They produce high-quality images.
- It can work on high resolutions.
Disadvantages:
- It cannot print composite forms.
- Non-impact printers are not cheap.
- The ink cartridge is expensive.
COMPARISON BETWEEN IMPACT AND NON-IMPACT PRINTERS
| Non-impact Printers | Impact Printers |
|---|---|
| These printers form images without physical contact. | These printers produce images with physical contact with the paper. |
| They don’t use any mechanical devices. | These printers use Electro-mechanical devices. |
| Their printing speed is much faster than other printers.. | These printers can only cover a page in 25 seconds. |
| Non-impact printers are silent during the process. | They create so much noise during the printing process. |
Selecting an Appropriate Printer:
If you’re looking for the best printer for a laptop, then there are some features you have to look for when selecting a suitable printer. Following are some factors that will help you in many ways while you’re making a decision:
Print Quality:
Excellent print quality is required for news-letter and documents. For higher-quality images, one should select Non-impact printers such as Laser or Inkjet.
Cost:
Money is a significant factor because these printers are not that cheap. You should select the printer with a long life span, and it does not cost a lot.
Printing Speed:
Looking to print several documents at a time? Speed matter when your workload is heavy. Non-impact printers provide a better speed and quality at the same time.
Final Verdict
Impact and non-impact printers have their pros and cons; if you’re willing to get one for the office and home, we would suggest you get the non-impact one as they are not bulky and work in a quiet environment.
Do let us know what you go with, in the comment section down below. We would love to hear back from your side! Thanks!
