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→Ink-jet
===Ink-jet===
===Ink-jet===
Ink-jet printers superseded dot-matrix printers. The worked by spraying droplets of ink through extremely fine nozzles, which would then draw the character on the paper, usually in a dot-matrix pattern. However, because the angle of the ink drops could be controlled, the resolution of characters could exceed 100 dots per inch (dpi), which was far superior to the quality of dot-matrix technology. Because the only mechanical movement was moving the nozzle from side to side, and the feeding of paper, these printers were extremely quiet. The printers often came with several colored ink cartridges which allowed color printing of graphics. The printing mechanism was simple and so the cost of the printers was often less than $100. However, the ink tended to be extremely expensive, and on infrequently-used printers, it would often congeal in the nozzles, causing poor print quality.
Ink-jet printers superseded dot-matrix printers. They worked by spraying droplets of ink through extremely fine nozzles, which would then create the character on the paper, usually in a dot-matrix pattern. However, because the angle of the ink drops could be controlled, the resolution of characters could exceed 100 dots per inch (dpi), which was far superior to the quality of dot-matrix technology. Because the only mechanical movement was moving the nozzle from side to side, and the feeding of paper, these printers were extremely quiet. The printers often came with several colored ink cartridges which allowed color printing of graphics. The printing mechanism was simple and so the cost of the printers was often less than $100. However, the ink tended to be extremely expensive, quickly used up, and on infrequently-used printers, it would often congeal in the nozzles, causing printing issues.
===Electrostatic===
===Electrostatic===
Electrostatic printers use the same technology as copy machines. A laser is used to create patterns on a charged metal drum as the drum turns, thus creating an electrically-charged version of the text or image to print. The drum rotates through a supply of toner, which sticks to the charged parts of the drum, but not the non-charged parts. The drum is then pressed against paper which transfers the toner to the paper. Finally, pressure and heat is used to fix the toner onto the paper, which is then discharged from the printer with the completed page on it. Some laser printers support multiple colors of toner and because the toner particles are so fine, the quality of text is as much as 1,200 dpi even on cheaper consumer modules, which is close to the 1,440 dpi quality of typeset.
Electrostatic printers use the same technology as copy machines. A laser is used to create patterns on a charged metal drum as the drum turns, thus creating an electrically-charged version of the text or image to print. The drum rotates through a supply of toner, which sticks to the charged parts of the drum, but not the non-charged parts. The drum is then pressed against paper which transfers the toner to the paper. Finally, pressure and heat is used to fix the toner onto the paper, which is then discharged from the printer with the completed page on it. Some laser printers support multiple colors of toner and because the toner particles are so fine, the quality of text is as much as 1,200 dpi even on cheaper consumer modules, which is close to the 1,440 dpi quality of typeset.