The two different printing methods that transfer text and images from computer screens to physical paper are impact and non-impact printers. Impact printers, like the common daisy-wheel and dot matrix printers, create characters by physically striking an inked ribbon against the paper. The output from non-impact printers, such as inkjet and laser printers, is produced without any actual physical touch. They use techniques like ink spraying or laser toner transfer, which produce faster print times, higher-quality printouts, and quieter operation. The progress of printing technology and its effects on diverse applications can be better understood by understanding the difference between impact and non impact printer.
To continue reading the article to know the difference between impact and non impact printer and create a deeper understanding of these two printers.
What are impact printers?
Impact printers are a type of printer that physically strike an inked ribbon on the paper to produce images or text on the paper. They make characters by repeatedly striking the ribbon onto the paper with hammers or pins to leave a visible impression.
What are non-impact printers?
non-impact printers don’t physically strike a surface and produce images and text using different techniques. Non-impact printers operate more quietly and produce prints of superior quality, making them ideal for usage in a variety of settings including the home, office, and workplace.
Difference Between Impact And Non-Impact Printer With Their Types
The major difference between impact and non impact printer is that Impact printers employ physical force to imprint characters on paper, whereas non-impact printers use different techniques like heat or chemicals. Here is the difference between impact and non impact printer with their types:
Types of Impact Printers
- Dot Matrix Printer
This type of printer uses a matrix of pins to strike an ink ribbon, creating characters.
- Daisy Wheel Printer
It uses a rotating wheel with pre-formed characters, striking an ink ribbon.
- Line Printer
This printer prints an entire line at once using a drum or chain with characters.
- Drum Printer
In this printer characters are embossed onto a rotating drum, transferring ink to paper.
Types of Non-Impact Printers
- Inkjet Printer
This type of printer sprays tiny droplets of ink onto a sheet to draw text and images.
- Laser Printer
It uses a laser to create an electrostatic image on a drum, which is then transferred and fused onto paper.
- Thermal Printer
This printer uses heats coated paper to create characters or images.
- Dye-Sublimation Printer
It transfers dye onto paper, which sublimates into the paper’s fibers for high-quality prints.
- Solid Ink Printer
As the name suggests, this type of printer melts substantial ink sticks and sprinkles the liquid ink onto the paper.
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Key Differences Between Impact And Non-Impact Printer With Illustration
Impact printers and non-impact printers are two different types of printing devices whose mechanisms and applications are the reason for the difference between impact and non impact printer.
Characters are transferred to paper using an inked ribbon in impact printers through physical contact or impact. The dot matrix printer, which prints characters by rubbing an inked ribbon against paper and a grid of pins, is a well-known example of an impact printer. They are frequently noisy, slower, and have lower print quality even if they can make carbon copies and handle multipart forms.
Unlike impact printers, non impact printers such as inkjet and laser printers do not make direct physical contact with the paper. High-quality color printing and adaptability for varied media are features of inkjet printers, which dispense tiny drops of ink onto paper to create characters and images.
Difference Between Impact And Non-Impact Printer In Table Format
Here is the difference between impact and non impact printer in tabular form for your easy understanding:
| Basis of difference | Impact printer | Non-impact printer |
| Printing method used | Impact printer strikes an inked ribbon onto paper using pins or hammers. | The non-impact printer uses various methods like inkjet, laser, thermal, etc to create images on paper. |
| Noise Level | The impact printer is a bit noisy due to mechanical impact. | As no mechanical impact is involved thus, a non-impact printer is generally quieter. |
| Speed | It has a slower printing speed. | It has a faster printing speed. |
| Print Quality | Impact printer has a lower print quality and is much more suitable for text. | Non-impact printer has good print quality which is better for text and graphics. |
| Maintenance | It requires more maintenance due to mechanical parts. | It does not require much maintenance due to having no mechanical impact parts. |
| Paper Types | Impact printer is suitable for multipart forms | Non-impact printer is suitable for any type of paper. |
| Costs | Impact printer has a lower initial cost but a higher maintenance cost. | Non-impact printer has a higher initial cost but a lower maintenance cost. |
| Applications | These types of printers are common in environments requiring multiple copies. | These types of printers are used for general office, home, and high-quality printing. |
FAQs
What is the fundamental difference between impact and non-impact printers?
Ans. The fundamental difference between impact and non impact printer lies in the printing mechanisms. In contrast to dot matrix printers, impact printers strike the paper to produce characters. Non-impact printers, like inkjet and laser models, print pictures without making physical touch by transferring toner with lasers or spraying ink droplets.
How does an impact printer work?
Ans. Impact printers, like dot matrix printers, press an inked ribbon against paper using a grid of pins. Through impact, the pins’ patterns of dots transform into characters and other shapes. The output is visible due to the ribbon’s ink transfer to the paper. Even though they are slower and louder, they work well for carbon copies and multipart forms.
What are the common types of impact printers?
Ans. Impact printers often come in the form of daisy-wheel and dot matrix printers. Daisy-wheel printers employ a rotating wheel with character petals that strike the paper, whereas dot matrix printers use a grid of pins to generate characters through impact. Both physically interact with the paper and the ribbon that has been linked to produce output.
What are non-impact printers and how do they work?
Ans. Printers that print without making physical contact, such as inkjet and laser printers, produce output. To create images and text on paper, inkjet printers squirt tiny droplets of ink onto the surface. Toner is printed onto paper using lasers, and the paper is subsequently fused using heat. Compared to impact printers, both technologies provide faster print times, better print quality, and quieter operation.
How does a laser printer work?
Ans. Lasers are used in laser printers to produce electrostatic images on a drum. The toner particles are drawn to the drum, transferred to the paper, then heated to fuse them to form a permanent picture. Laser printers are suited for business and professional printing needs thanks to this technique, which generates clear text and pictures quickly.
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The Final Words
The difference between impact and non-impact printer lies in their distinct printing methods. Impact printers, which are noisy but good for multipart forms, physically strike the paper. Modern printing requirements can be met quickly, clearly, and in a variety of ways with non-impact printers like inkjet and laser.
We hope that you found this article informative and that the difference between impact and non impact printer with example helped you learn about their working and types of impact and non impact printers.
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