Impact printers have been a staple in the printing world for decades, and while they may not be as common as inkjet or laser printers in modern offices, they still offer distinct advantages in certain environments. So, what makes impact printers stand out, and what are their main characteristics? Let’s dive into their features and capabilities.
1. Mechanically Impacted Printing
The defining characteristic of an impact printer is its printing method. These printers work by physically striking an inked ribbon against the paper. This mechanism is similar to that of a typewriter, where the typeface (or print head) physically hits the paper through an ink ribbon to create a printed character or image. This contrasts with non-impact printers, like inkjet and laser printers, which do not require physical contact between the print head and paper.
2. Dot-Matrix Printing
Impact printers are typically associated with dot-matrix printing. In this process, the print head contains a series of pins that strike the ribbon to form patterns of dots that represent letters, numbers, and other characters. The density of these dots forms the quality of the print. While the print quality of dot-matrix printers might not match that of modern inkjet or laser printers, they are still capable of producing legible text and basic graphics.
3. Low Cost and Durability
Impact printers are known for their low operational cost compared to inkjet or laser printers. They are built to last, with durable components that can withstand high-volume printing over long periods of time. This makes them ideal for situations where large amounts of printed output are required, such as in warehouses, retail environments, and manufacturing plants.
4. Multi-Part Forms and Carbon Copies
One significant advantage of impact printers is their ability to print on multi-part forms, also known as carbon-copy or NCR (no-carbon-required) paper. Because the print head physically impacts the paper, it can push through multiple layers of paper at once, allowing the printer to create duplicates or triplicates of a form in a single pass. This feature is incredibly useful in industries that require multiple copies of the same document for records, such as invoicing or shipping.
5. Continuous Paper Feed
Many impact printers are designed to use continuous feed paper, which comes in large rolls or perforated sheets. This paper is fed automatically through the printer, reducing the need for frequent paper reloading and making the printer well-suited for high-volume printing jobs. The continuous feed capability makes impact printers a popular choice for environments where printing needs to be fast and efficient.
6. Lower Print Quality (Compared to Modern Printers)
While impact printers are effective for many applications, their print quality is generally lower than that of inkjet or laser printers. The resolution is measured in dpi (dots per inch), and while some impact printers can reach around 300 dpi, this is far less detailed than what modern printers can achieve. Therefore, impact printers are typically not used for high-quality photographic printing but rather for basic text and numeric output.
7. Noise
Because of their mechanical nature, impact printers can be quite noisy. The striking of the print head against the paper, combined with the movement of the paper and other components, results in a relatively loud printing process. While this may not be a major issue in industrial or warehouse settings, it’s something to consider in quieter office environments.
8. Slow Printing Speed
Compared to modern inkjet and laser printers, impact printers tend to have slower print speeds. This is because the print head has to physically move back and forth across the page, striking the ribbon for each dot of the character being printed. For environments requiring high-speed printing, this can be a limiting factor.
9. Limited Graphics Capability
Due to the dot-matrix nature of impact printers, they are typically not suitable for printing detailed or complex graphics. While simple barcodes, logos, and graphs can be printed, the level of detail and color accuracy is far behind that of inkjet or laser printers. Impact printers are best suited for text-heavy documents, invoices, shipping labels, and forms.
While impact printers are no longer the go-to choice for general printing tasks, they are far from obsolete. Their mechanical durability, ability to print multi-part forms, and low operating costs make them invaluable in specific industries, including manufacturing, retail, and logistics. If you require reliable, cost-effective printing of text-heavy documents with the ability to create multiple copies at once, an impact printer may still be the right tool for the job.