What Is a Printer?

printer

A printer is a machine that takes digital data and prints it onto physical materials, usually paper. It can also produce copies of digital documents. There are many types of printers, from simple inkjet and laser models to multifunctional all-in-ones. There are even 3D printers that can create a replica of anything that’s been sent to them, from car parts to spatulas!

The most common printers are laser printers. These use a selenium-coated drum that’s charged with electric charges. When a document is printed, a laser beam draws an outline of the desired image on the drum. A roller then moves to apply the dry powder of toner onto the areas that are positively charged. The toner sticks to the areas that have been drawn and is transferred to the paper through a process of heat and pressure.

Another type of printer is the dot matrix impact printer. This uses a print head with pins that sit over an ink ribbon. As the print head scans across the page, the pins press into the ribbon and imprint a dot on each line of printing, creating characters and images. This type of printer is used by a large number of business and home computers and has a low cost.

The printer driver is a program that manages the flow of printing commands between the printer and the computer. It sets margins, controls pagination, and performs other tasks that ensure that the printed document looks as expected. The driver can also send messages to the computer, such as warnings that the printer is low on ink or information about errors.