10 Differences Between Impact And Non-Impact Printers

The first computer printer was designed and developed by Charles Babbage. It was a mechanical device for various engines in the 19th century.

However, the design of the mechanical printer was not made until 2000.

In today’s post, we are going to learn and discuss what are the differences between impact and non-impact printers.

What are Printers and Their Types?

A printer is an output device of a computer system that receives text and graphics from the computer and transfers the information into paper in the form of output.

It is of standard size. Printers are different in size, speed, and cost.

Expensive printers are used when there is a need for constant printing or high-resolution printing. Modern printers are used for high-volume or high-resolution color printing.

Different Types of Printers

Inkjet Printers.
Laser Printers.
3D Printers.
Thermal Printers.
All in One Printers.
Photo Printers.

#1. Inkjet Printers

It recreates a digital image by spraying ink onto the paper. These printers are the most common type of personal-used printers.

#2. Laser Printers

are used to create high-quality prints without defining an image by passing a high laser beam through a negatively charged cylinder.

The color laser printer is often found in professional environments.

#3. 3D Printers

It is a new printer technology in 3D printing a digital object from a digital file. This is completed by adding layers to the printing device, and the entire object is ready.

#4. Thermal Printers

Thermal printing is a digital process that produces printed images without passing through paper with a thermochromic layer.

This paper is commonly known as thermal paper.

This paper is situated on the head of the printer and consists of tiny electrically heated elements.

#5. All-in-One Printer

It is also known as a multifunction printer capable of performing different tasks like printing, copying, scanning, and faxing.

LED printers: It is also known as laser printers.

Instead of the laser used in laser printers, it is used as a light-emitting diode as a light source for print heads.

#6. Photo Printers

Similar to an inkjet printer, but explicitly designed to print high-quality photos and requires large amounts of ink and special paper to avoid leaving marks on the ink.

What is an Impact Printer?

An impact printer is a type that works by direct contact with an ink ribbon with the paper.

A metal or plastic head strikes the ink ribbon which the ribbon is pressed against the paper, and the desired character impression is printed on the sheet.

Types of Impact Printers

Dot Matrix Printers.
Ball Printers.
Daisy Wheel Printer

1. Dot-Matrix Printers

An impact printer that prints with a fixed number of pins or cables. Pins or wires are placed in one or more vertical columns.

The pen hits the ink-covered ribbon, forcing the ribbon and paper into contact. Each pen then forms a small dot on the paper.

2. Ball Printer

This is a type of impact printer or typewriter in which the character set is mounted on a small metal ball and the font can be changed by easily changing the ball.

3. Daisy Wheel Printer

This is a particular type of mechanical impact printer. It is used individual letters, symbols, and number keys to print text on paper.

This printer was popular in the 1970s, and this electric typewriter became very popular for its speed and quality, but nowadays, it is rarely being used.

What are Non-Impact Printers?

Non-impact printers print text and graphics on paper without hitting it and do not use ink or other substances.

Some of these printers use spray ink while using heat and pressure to create images. These printers are faster than impact printers.

Types of Non-Impact Printers

Laser Printers.
Inkjet Printers.
Thermal Printers.

1. Laser Printer

A computer-connected printer that uses a laser to form electrostatically charged spots on a photosensitive drum and attract toner (or dry ink powder) to produce high-quality printing material.

The toner is transferred to a piece of paper and glued by a heating process.

2. Inkjet Printers

As the paper passes through the print head, the nozzles spray ink to form letters and graphics.

Inkjet printers are computer peripherals that spray the ink onto paper. In inkjet printers, the print head consists of several small nozzles, also called jets.

3. Thermal Printer

An image is printed on paper by placing a piece of paper with a thermochromic layer on a print head composed of electrically heated elements and creating an image in the area where the heated layer turns black.

Generate. Sublimation printers are a type of thermal printing technology that uses heat to transfer dye to a material.

10 Differences Between Impact and Non-Impact Printers

Impact Printers	Non-Impact Printers
Impact printers run on a mechanism of striking the ribbon or hammer to the ribbon containing ink to print on a paper	Non-impact printers used a laser printing mechanism where no striking was used.
Continuous paper was used.	The individual paper was used.
The quality is compromised.	The quality is better than impact printers.
Cartridges are used for ink storage,	No such containers are used.
Slow printing speed.	Comparatively faster than impact printers.
Makes noise while printing.	They are noiseless.
Difficult to operate.	Easy to use.
Impact printers are used occasionally.	They are used regularly.
Impact printers are older technology.	Non-impact printers are updated technology printers.
Lower quality of graphics.	Wider variety of fonts that handles graphics.
Except Dot matrix printers print graphic images.	The good color quality of the printing
In impact printer figure or graphic style cannot be changed except in Dot matrix printers.	Every type of visual style or figure is accepted.
In Impact, printer printing is executed by hammering a character die or metal pin.	In non-impact printers, printing is executed by dropping ink on paper or in any manner.
Impact printers are fast and can print 250 words per second,	Non-impact printers are slow and can cover one page in one second.
Old Printing Technology.	Latest Printing Technology.
Impact printers can be seen in offices and newspaper production.	Non-impact printers are seen in homes and shops.
Impact printers are long-lasting.	Non-impact printers require maintenance after some time.
Impact printers have more moving parts.	Not that moving parts compared to impact printers.
Examples of impact are dot matrix printers, daisy wheel printers, and ball printers.	Non-impact printer examples are laser printers, inkjet printers, and thermal printers.

10 Differences Between Impact and Non-Impact Printers

Differences Between Impact and Non-Impact Printers With Infographic

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Advantages of Impact Printers

Impact printers are low-cost printing technology.
It can use any paper for printing purposes.
They need maintenance for quite some time and are cheaper than the non-impact printer.
It has limited print qualities and low printing speed.

Disadvantages of Non-Impact Printers

Non-impact printers print the paper they don’t have dents or tears on the surface.
laser printers in non-impact printing, the toner used is harmful to humans.
The non-impact printer uses a cartridge for ink storage. This is costly as compared to impact printers.
In a thermal printer in non-impact printing, if it is too heated to operate, ink consumes more, and the printing may not be accurate.

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