Printer (computing) - Revision history

Eac: Consolidated the "Printers" page into this one.

2023-08-21T16:50:11Z

Consolidated the "Printers" page into this one.

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DavidB4: /* Thermal */ typo

2019-03-14T02:01:26Z

Thermal: typo

DavidB4: copyedit, and touch-up

2019-03-13T23:00:22Z

copyedit, and touch-up

1990'sguy: Undo revision 1501357 by Rohitpmedia (talk) No reason.

2019-03-13T17:22:12Z

Undo revision 1501357 by Rohitpmedia (talk) No reason.

: laptop

2019-03-13T14:59:22Z

laptop

DavidB4-bot: Spelling, Grammar, and General Cleanup, typos fixed: a ink → an ink

2017-04-21T19:49:44Z

Spelling, Grammar, and General Cleanup, typos fixed: a ink → an ink

DavidB4: /* Care and maintenance */ typo

2017-01-09T15:09:34Z

Care and maintenance: typo

DavidB4: /* Inkjet */

2016-12-16T20:58:33Z

Inkjet

DavidB4: /* Virtual */ typo

2016-12-16T20:57:28Z

Virtual: typo

DavidB4: /* Thermal */

2016-11-22T16:05:42Z

Thermal

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 ===Thermal===
-Thermal printers do not use any ink or toner.  Rater, they use direct-thermal paper, which turns black in response to heat.  These printers are limited to black printing only, and the final product can be destroyed sunlight, hot surfaces, or friction.  However, they are inexpensive and convenient for a number of purposes, including shopping receipt printing and label production.
+Thermal printers do not use any ink or toner.  Rather, they use direct-thermal paper, which turns black in response to heat.  These printers are limited to black printing only, and the final product can be destroyed sunlight, hot surfaces, or friction.  However, they are inexpensive and convenient for a number of purposes, including shopping receipt printing and label production.
 The most common form of thermal paper contains [[bisphenol A]], which raises health concerns because the substance transfers to the skin of the person holding the paper.  BPA is then absorbed by the skin to varying degrees.<ref>Sandra Biedermann, Patrik Tschudin, & Koni Grob, "Transfer of bisphenol A from thermal printer paper to the skin", ''Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry'', September 2010, Volume 398, Issue 1, pp 571–576</ref> Some thermal media also contains [[bisphenol S]], which although believed to be slightly less harmful than BPA, is absorbed more easily thus increasing the exposure quantity.<ref>http://saferchemicals.org/chemicals/bpa-bps</ref><ref>http://naturalsociety.com/toxic-bpa-substitute-bps-chemical</ref>

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-In computing, a '''printer''' is a peripheral device which makes the specified permanent marks on paper or other materials.  These are most commonly used in conjunction with a desktop or laptop [[computer]], but can in some cases be used with other external devices such as mobile phones or tablet computers.  In some cases, printers are built directly into the device
+In computing, a '''printer''' is a peripheral device which converts digital information to permanent marks on paper or other materials.  These are most commonly used in conjunction with a desktop or laptop [[computer]], but can in some cases be used with other external devices such as mobile phones or tablet computers.  In some cases, printers are built directly into a digital device.
 ==Types==
 ===Personal===
-Personal printers are usually small and inexpensive, and most commonly print using the inkjet method.  They receive instructions directly from a primary device (computer) through a parallel port (older method) or [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] connection.  Some also allow wireless connections via Bluetooth.  They generally operate solely as a peripheral, should sometimes they include fax and/or photocopy functionality.
+Personal printers are usually small and inexpensive, and most commonly print using the inkjet method.  They receive instructions directly from a primary device (computer) through a parallel port (older method) or [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] connection.  Some also allow wireless connections via Bluetooth or WiFi.  They generally operate solely as a peripheral, though sometimes they include fax and/or photocopy functionality.
 ===Network===
-Network printers are not directly connected to a controller (usually a computer) but rather a print server, which exists as an accessible entity on the [[local area network]].  In some cases, the print server is an entirely separate server computer, through which all print jobs are managed.  However, sometimes (especially in smaller installations) the printer uses an internal print server.  Either way, when something is to be printed, the requesting device connects to the print server through the intranet (or sometimes internet) and delivers the print job.  The print server then has the printer complete the task.<br />
+Network printers are not directly connected to a controller (usually a computer) but rather a print server, which exists as an accessible entity on the [[local area network]].  In some cases, the print server is an entirely separate server computer, through which all print jobs are managed.  However, sometimes (especially in smaller installations) the printer uses an internal print server.  Either way, when something is to be printed, the requesting device connects to the print server through the intranet (or sometimes internet) and spools the print job to it.  The print server then has the printer complete the task.<br />
 Network printers are commonly used for frequent and high-volume printing, so they often use the Lasterjet method, which is fast and inexpensive.  Laserjet printers are at least somewhat larger than most other printers.  To provide the speed and functionality required, they are often towers which stand three to four feet tall.

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 As well as document/photo printers, a common kind of network printer is the label printer.  Rather than paper, these use label media to produce marked adhesive labels.  In general, label printers use the thermal method of printing, which makes the product inexpensive and keeps the printer cleaner.  However, these labels are susceptible to heat, so some variations are also sometimes used.<br />
 These labels are most commonly used in warehouses and other support facilities.  These usually depict predominantly a barcode, so the item they are attached to may be easily scanned.  Other relevant information is usually included as well, and the labels sometimes also are created with an embedded [[Radio frequency identification|RFID]] chip.
 ===Plotter===

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 As well as document/photo printers, a common kind of network printer is the label printer.  Rather than paper, these use label media to produce marked adhesive labels.  In general, label printers use the thermal method of printing, which makes the product inexpensive and keeps the printer cleaner.  However, these labels are susceptible to heat, so some variations are also sometimes used.<br />
 These labels are most commonly used in warehouses and other support facilities.  These usually depict predominantly a barcode, so the item they are attached to may be easily scanned.  Other relevant information is usually included as well, and the labels sometimes also are created with an embedded [[Radio frequency identification|RFID]] chip.
 ===Plotter===

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 ===Three-dimensional===
 {{main|Three-dimensional printer}}
-D printers are a new technology that enables users to print a solid object using a variety of materials.  Just as a ink jet printer can be used to deposit an ink or marking substance on a flat piece of paper, similar mechanisms can be used to deposit a bulky substance instead.  As such substances cure, they can accumulate to form a three dimensional object. As the printer makes repeated passes over the object the pattern of depositing the substance can change, which will affect the ultimate shape of the object.  To use this type of printer a user creates a 3D model on a computer, then sends the job to the printer.  The printer then constructs the object on a mat, by moving the nozzle (or print head) on a dual-axis assembly and releasing small amounts of the material where it is needed. In general, these printers are very slow in comparison to 2D printers, but the technology is still evolving and improving significantly.  These are used in private, educational, manufacturing, medical, and other venues.
+D printers are a new technology that enables users to print a solid object using a variety of materials.  Just as an ink jet printer can be used to deposit ink or a  marking substance on a flat piece of paper, similar mechanisms can be used to deposit a bulky substance instead.  As such substances cure, they can accumulate to form a three dimensional object. As the printer makes repeated passes over the object the pattern of depositing the substance can change, which will affect the ultimate shape of the object.  To use this type of printer a user creates a 3D model on a computer, then sends the job to the printer.  The printer then constructs the object on a mat, by moving the nozzle (or print head) on a dual-axis assembly and releasing small amounts of the material where it is needed. In general, these printers are very slow in comparison to 2D printers, but the technology is still evolving and improving significantly.  These are used in private, educational, manufacturing, medical, and other venues.
 ===Virtual===
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 ===Laser===
-The laser printing method uses a laser to "paint" the desired image onto a photosensitive imaging drum. Toner is then picked up by the drum, and transferred to the paper.  Heat an pressure are then applied to the paper to fuse the plastic-based toner to the sheet. Black printer one go through this process once, but color printer must do so four times.  There are four photoreceptive drums, one is used for each color--yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.  Each drum prints its color onto a belt, then a transfer roller moves the toner to the paper.<ref name="escotal.com">http://www.escotal.com/printer.html</ref> The printing process is as follows:
+The laser printing method uses a laser to "paint" the desired image onto a photosensitive imaging drum. Toner is then picked up by the drum, and transferred to the paper.  Heat an pressure are then applied to the paper to fuse the plastic-based toner to the sheet. Black printer one go through this process once, but color printer must do so four times.  There are four photoreceptive drums, one is used for each color—yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.  Each drum prints its color onto a belt, then a transfer roller moves the toner to the paper.<ref name="escotal.com">http://www.escotal.com/printer.html</ref> The printing process is as follows:
 #Processing: Construct the page in memory
 #Charging: Put an negative electrostatic charge on the imaging drum

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 ====Care and maintenance====
-The main problem these printers experience is clogging of the print heads.  They can usually be cleaned fairly easily using [[isopropyl alcohol]]. However ,the printer must be opened up and the print heads removed to do this, and once done, the printer usually must print one or more alignment sheets (which consumes expensive ink).  Many Inkjet printers have the print heads on the actual ink cartridges, which means that each time the cartage is replaced, so is the head.
+The main problem these printers experience is clogging of the print heads.  They can usually be cleaned fairly easily using [[isopropyl alcohol]]. However, the printer must be opened up and the print heads removed to do this, and once done, the printer usually must print one or more alignment sheets (which consumes expensive ink).  Many Inkjet printers have the print heads on the actual ink cartridges, which means that each time the cartage is replaced, so is the head.
 ===Laser===

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 ===Inkjet===
-Inkjet printers are popular, since they offer several advantages.  These include high-quality printing, inexpensive printers, and quiet operation.  However, inkjet printers use proprietary ink cartridges, which are usually expensive, and this ink tends to fade over time, so the product does not last as well as it might if printed differently.  They operate by ejecting small drops of ink onto the paper as needed.  This process (called drop-on-demand) can be performed several different ways.
+Inkjet printers are popular, since they offer several advantages.  These include high-quality printing, inexpensive printer devices, and quiet operation.  However, inkjet printers use proprietary ink cartridges, which are usually expensive, and this ink tends to fade over time, so the product does not last as well as it might if printed differently.  They operate by ejecting small drops of ink onto the paper as needed.  This process (called drop-on-demand) can be performed several different ways.
 ====bubblejet====

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 ===Virtual===
-Virtual printers have earned their name quite simply because they are not really printers at all.  These printers have no physical module, but are rather computer programs. The operating system and other software recognizes these as printers, but when something is "printed" to one, the task is spooled into a file, rather than an actual printer.  Perhaps th emost common virtual printer is produced by [[Adobe Systems|Adobe]], which "prints" to [[Portable Document Format|PDF]].
+Virtual printers have earned their name quite simply because they are not really printers at all.  These printers have no physical module, but are rather computer programs. The operating system and other software recognizes these as printers, but when something is "printed" to one, the task is spooled into a file, rather than an actual printer.  Perhaps the most common virtual printer is produced by [[Adobe Systems|Adobe]], which "prints" to [[Portable Document Format|PDF]].
 ==Methods==