Difference Between Impact and Non-impact Printers

Printers have come a long way since their inception. With the development of new technologies, printers are now more advanced than ever before. However, not all printers are created equal. In this article, we will explore the key differences between two types of printers – impact and non-impact printers. Understanding the differences between these two technologies is crucial for making informed decisions when it comes to purchasing or using printers.

Key Takeaways:

• Impact and non-impact printers are two main types of printing technologies.
• Impact printers use mechanical force to create an image on paper, while non-impact printers use ink or toner to create an image.
• Types of impact printers include line printers and daisy wheel printers, while non-impact printers include inkjet printers and laser printers.
• Each type of printer has its unique advantages and disadvantages, which we will explore in detail throughout this article.

Types of Printers

In general, printers can be classified into two main categories: impact and non-impact printers. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of printers that fall under these two categories, and explore their unique features and characteristics.

Dot Matrix Printers

Dot matrix printers are a type of impact printer that use a grid of tiny pins to form characters on the page. These printers are known for their durability and ability to handle multipart forms, making them popular in settings such as banks and offices. While they may not produce the highest quality output, they are a reliable and cost-effective option for printing basic documents.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are a popular type of non-impact printer that use tiny nozzles to spray ink onto the paper. They are known for their high-quality output, especially when it comes to printing photos and color documents. Inkjet printers come in a wide range of sizes and prices, making them accessible to a broad range of users.

Laser Printers

Laser printers are another type of non-impact printer that use a laser beam to transfer text and images onto paper. They generally produce high-quality output quickly and quietly, making them popular in office settings. While laser printers tend to be more expensive than inkjet printers, they are a good investment for those looking to print high volumes of black and white documents.

Overall, each type of printer has its own unique set of features and advantages, and choosing the right one depends on your specific needs and printing requirements.

Impact Printing

Impact printing is a type of printing technology that uses a mechanical impact to transfer ink or carbon onto paper. This process involves striking a print head against an ink ribbon, which leaves an impression on the paper. There are several different types of impact printers, including line printers and daisy wheel printers.

Line Printers

Line printers are a type of impact printer that generate a series of vertical lines to create characters and images. These printers have a print head that contains a row of pins that are arranged in a line. As the print head moves across the page, the pins hit an ink ribbon, which presses the ink onto the paper to form a character or image. Line printers are known for their high speed and ability to handle large volumes of printing.

Daisy Wheel Printers

Daisy wheel printers are another type of impact printer that use a print head with a circular wheel that contains raised characters or symbols. As the print head rotates, it strikes an ink ribbon against the paper, leaving an impression of the desired character or symbol. These printers are known for their high print quality, but they are also slower and noisier than other types of impact printers.

Non-Impact Printing: Inkjet Printers and Laser Printers

While impact printers use mechanical force to produce printed content, non-impact printers rely on ink or toner to create text and images on paper. The two most common types of non-impact printers are inkjet printers and laser printers.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers use tiny nozzles to spray ink droplets onto the paper. These printers are known for their high-resolution capabilities and are commonly used for printing photos and graphics. They are versatile and can print on a variety of paper types and sizes. Inkjet printers are also relatively affordable and easy to maintain. However, they may struggle with producing crisp text, and the cost of ink cartridges can add up over time.

Laser Printers

Laser printers use toner powder and a laser beam to create images and text on paper. They are known for their fast printing speeds and ability to produce high-quality text and graphics. Laser printers are often used in offices and businesses due to their cost-effectiveness and reliability. They also have a longer lifespan compared to inkjet printers, and their toner cartridges can print a larger quantity of pages. However, laser printers tend to be more expensive upfront, and their toner cartridges are more expensive to replace.

Comparison of Impact and Non-impact Printers

In this section, we will directly compare impact and non-impact printers, highlighting the major differences between the two. While both types of printers have their advantages and disadvantages, it’s important to understand how they differ to determine which printer is best suited for your needs.

Differences and Similarities Between Impact and Non-impact Printers

Let’s first take a look at the main differences between impact and non-impact printers. Impact printers use a physical mechanism to transfer ink onto paper, while non-impact printers use non-physical means such as heat or electricity. This means that impact printers are generally noisier and slower than non-impact printers. In addition, impact printers are typically less expensive and offer lower-quality printing than non-impact printers. Non-impact printers, on the other hand, are generally faster, quieter, and offer higher-quality printing and the ability to print in color.

Despite these differences, there are some similarities between the two types of printers. Both impact and non-impact printers can print on a wide range of paper types and sizes, and both can be used for various applications from printing forms to photographs. Furthermore, both types of printers have different subcategories that offer unique features and advantages over one another.

Impact Vs Non-Impact Printers

When it comes to impact vs non-impact printers, the main difference lies in their printing mechanism. Impact printers physically strike the paper to produce an image, while non-impact printers use non-physical methods such as heat or electricity to transfer ink or toner onto the paper. This fundamental difference has a significant impact on factors such as noise level, speed, and print quality.

Impact printers are typically louder and slower than non-impact printers, but they are also more durable and can produce multiple copies using carbon paper. They are best suited for printing receipts, invoices, and multipart forms. Non-impact printers, on the other hand, are generally faster, quieter, and offer higher-quality printing. They are ideal for printing graphics, photographs, and reports.

Impact Vs Inkjet Printers

When comparing impact vs inkjet printers, the main difference lies in their printing technology. Impact printers use a physical mechanism to transfer ink onto the paper, while inkjet printers use tiny nozzles to spray ink onto the paper.

Impact printers are typically less expensive and offer lower-quality printing than inkjet printers. They are best suited for printing receipts, invoices, and forms. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, are generally faster, quieter, and offer higher-quality printing and the ability to print in color. They are ideal for printing photographs, graphics, and high-quality documents.

Overall, the choice between an impact printer and an inkjet printer will depend on your specific needs and budget.

Advantages of Impact Printers

Impact printers have been a popular choice for many industries for several reasons. One of their main advantages is their durability, as they are constructed with rugged materials designed to withstand heavy usage and harsh environmental conditions. This makes them ideal for businesses that require reliable and long-lasting printing solutions.

Another advantage of impact printers is their ability to print on various types of paper, including multipart forms and carbon paper. This is useful for businesses that require copies of documents or receipts for record-keeping purposes. In addition, impact printers are well-suited for printing receipts, invoices, labels, and other types of continuous forms.

There are different types of impact printers that cater to specific printing needs. For example, line printers are commonly used in high-speed printing applications, while daisy wheel printers are ideal for printing high-quality text and graphics. Dot matrix printers, a type of impact printer, are popular for printing multipart forms and are widely used in banking and accounting industries.

Overall, impact printers offer a cost-effective and reliable printing solution for businesses that require consistent and high-volume printing. Some popular examples of impact printers include the Epson LQ-590 dot matrix printer, the Okidata MICROLINE 320 Turbo dot matrix printer, and the Lexmark Forms Printer 2590+.

Disadvantages of Impact Printers

While impact printers have their advantages, they also come with some drawbacks that may make them unsuitable for certain applications. Here are some of the disadvantages:

• Noisiness: Impact printers tend to be louder compared to non-impact printers, which can be a nuisance in quiet working environments.
• Slower printing speeds: Due to their printing mechanism, impact printers are generally slower than non-impact printers, which can affect productivity in high-volume printing situations.
• Prone to wear and tear: The constant striking of the printhead against the paper can cause the print quality to deteriorate over time and also cause damage to the printhead itself, resulting in the need for more frequent maintenance.
• Limitations in color printing: Impact printers are typically limited to printing in black and white or monochrome, which can be a disadvantage in applications where color printing is necessary.

Considering these limitations, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of impact printers before choosing them for your printing needs.

Advantages of Non-impact Printers

Non-impact printers, such as inkjet and laser printers, offer a range of advantages over impact printers that make them ideal for different purposes. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Quieter operation: Non-impact printers produce less noise than impact printers, making them suitable for offices and other quiet environments.
• Faster printing speeds: Non-impact printers are generally faster than impact printers, allowing you to print large volumes of documents in less time.
• Higher print quality: Non-impact printers offer higher resolution capabilities and sharper text, making them great for printing photos, graphics, and other high-quality documents.
• Ability to print in color: Non-impact printers can print in full color, making them ideal for producing marketing materials, presentations, and other documents that require vibrant colors.
• Compact size: Non-impact printers are often smaller and more lightweight than impact printers, making them more portable and easier to fit into tight spaces.
• Various connectivity options: Non-impact printers offer a range of connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile printing, allowing you to print from virtually anywhere.

Non-impact printers are used in a variety of settings, including home offices, small businesses, and large corporations. Some popular examples of non-impact printers include the HP LaserJet Pro, Canon PIXMA, and Epson EcoTank.

Disadvantages of Non-impact Printers

While non-impact printers are generally more efficient and produce higher quality prints compared to impact printers, they do come with their own set of limitations. Here are some of the disadvantages of non-impact printers:

• Higher cost: One of the biggest drawbacks of non-impact printers is their higher cost compared to impact printers, especially for models that come with advanced features like wireless connectivity or automatic duplexing.
• Paper handling limitations: Non-impact printers may not be able to handle certain types of paper as well as impact printers can. For example, inkjet printers may have trouble printing on glossy or textured paper, while laser printers may have difficulty with thick cardstock or label sheets.
• Clogged printheads: Inkjet printers are particularly prone to clogged printheads, which can result in streaky or incomplete prints. This can happen if the printer is not used frequently enough or if the ink cartridge is not replaced in a timely manner.

Despite these drawbacks, non-impact printers remain popular due to their improved efficiency and versatility in producing high-quality prints.

Impact Printers vs. Dot Matrix Printers

In this section, we will compare impact printers to dot matrix printers. Dot matrix printers are a type of impact printer that uses a grid of tiny pins to form characters. They are often referred to as character printers because they print one character at a time by striking an ink-soaked ribbon against the paper.

Dot matrix printers are known for their ability to print in high volumes with multipart forms, making them ideal for certain applications such as receipts and invoices. They are also durable and able to handle thicker paper stock than other types of printers. However, their print quality and speed are generally lower than non-impact printers like inkjet and laser printers.

Impact printers, on the other hand, use a mechanical impact to transfer ink from the ribbon onto the paper. As we discussed earlier in this article, impact printers can be either line printers or daisy wheel printers. While line printers are known for their fast printing speeds, daisy wheel printers offer higher quality printing with crisp, clean text.

In summary, dot matrix printers are a specific type of impact printer that are suitable for high volume printing with multipart forms, while other types of impact printers like line and daisy wheel printers offer their own unique advantages and limitations.

Non-impact Printers vs. Inkjet Printers

When it comes to non-impact printers, one of the most popular types is the inkjet printer. Inkjet printers use tiny nozzles to spray ink onto the paper, creating high-quality prints with excellent color accuracy. This makes them ideal for printing photos or other documents with color graphics.

The major difference between impact and inkjet printers is the printing technology. Inkjet printers are non-impact printers, which means that they do not use a physical mechanism to create the print. Instead, they rely on the precise application of ink droplets to create the image.

Compared to impact printers, inkjet printers are much quieter and offer faster printing speeds. They are also more versatile, allowing for a wider range of paper types and sizes, including glossy photo paper.

However, inkjet printers do have some disadvantages. They tend to be more expensive than impact printers, and they may require more frequent ink cartridge replacements. Additionally, the inkjet nozzles can become clogged over time, which can affect print quality and require maintenance.

Printer Technologies and Uses

As we’ve discussed throughout this article, there are two main types of printers: impact and non-impact printers. These printers use different printing technologies to produce text and images on paper. Let’s take a closer look at the technology behind each type of printer and the uses they offer.

Impact Printing Technology

Impact printers use a mechanical process to transfer ink or carbon to paper. They rely on physical contact between the print head and a ribbon or other inked material to create characters on the page.

One of the primary advantages of impact printing technology is its durability. These printers are built to withstand heavy use and can typically handle multiple types of paper, including multipart forms. Impact printers are also well-suited for printing receipts, invoices, and other documents that require carbon copies.

Some common uses of impact printers include printing checks, receipts, and multipart forms, as well as in industrial and manufacturing applications where ruggedness and reliability are key factors.

Non-impact Printing Technology

Non-impact printers, on the other hand, use a variety of technologies to transfer ink or toner to the paper without making physical contact. Some of the most popular types of non-impact printers include inkjet and laser printers.

Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of ink onto the paper to create text and images. They are known for their high resolution and ability to produce vibrant colors, making them ideal for printing photos and other graphics.

Laser printers, on the other hand, use toner to create text and images on the paper. They use a laser beam to selectively charge areas of a revolving drum, which then attracts toner particles to create the image. Laser printers are known for their fast printing speeds and crisp text output.

Non-impact printers are commonly used in office and home settings for printing documents, presentations, and photos. They are also popular in graphic design and printing industries where high-quality output is a must.

Overall, both impact and non-impact printers offer unique advantages and uses. The choice of which printer to use ultimately depends on the specific needs of the user and their intended applications.

Impact Printer Features

In this section, we will focus on the distinctive features of impact printers. As we discussed previously, these printers rely on a physical impact mechanism to transfer ink onto the printing surface. Here are some of the key features of impact printers:

These features make impact printers suitable for specific applications such as printing receipts, forms, and invoices. They are also commonly used in industrial settings where durability and reliability are important factors.

Non-impact Printer Features

Non-impact printers offer a range of features that make them an attractive option for many users. One of the standout features of non-impact printers is their compact size, often making them more space-efficient than impact printers. This makes them ideal for smaller workspaces or home offices, where desk space is at a premium.

Another major advantage of non-impact printers is their ability to produce high resolution prints with crisp, clear text and vivid colors. This is due to their advanced printing technology, which typically uses ink or toner to produce prints with far greater clarity and detail than impact printers. High-quality photo printing is also made possible by non-impact printers, making them popular in the photography industry.

Non-impact printers also offer a range of connectivity options, including wireless printing and mobile printing capabilities. This allows users to print from a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets, making non-impact printers highly versatile and adaptable to modern working environments.

One potential drawback of non-impact printers is their higher cost compared to impact printers. However, the increased functionality and higher quality prints offered by non-impact printers often make them worth the investment for many users.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we have explored the key differences between impact and non-impact printers, delving into the unique characteristics of each and highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.

An impact printer is a type of printer that uses a head with pins or characters striking an ink ribbon to create text or images on paper. Non-impact printers, on the other hand, use mechanisms such as inkjet or laser technology to create text or images on paper without physical contact.

While impact printers are rugged and able to produce carbon copies, they tend to be noisier and have slower printing speeds compared to non-impact printers. Non-impact printers, on the other hand, offer quieter operation, faster printing speeds, higher print quality, and the ability to print in color.

Ultimately, the choice between impact and non-impact printers comes down to the specific needs of the user. Impact printers are ideal for printing multi-part forms such as receipts or invoices, while non-impact printers are better suited for high-quality printing of photographs or marketing materials.

In conclusion, understanding the differences and unique features of both impact and non-impact printers is essential in selecting the best printer to meet your needs.

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between impact and non-impact printers?

A: Impact printers use physical contact to create images on paper, while non-impact printers do not make direct contact with the paper.

Q: What are the types of printers?

A: The main types of printers are dot matrix printers, inkjet printers, and laser printers.

Q: What is impact printing?

A: Impact printing is a type of printing that uses physical contact to create images on paper. It includes line printers and daisy wheel printers.

Q: What is non-impact printing?

A: Non-impact printing is a type of printing that does not make direct contact with the paper. It includes inkjet printers and laser printers.

Q: How do impact and non-impact printers differ?

A: Impact printers create images by striking a ribbon against the paper, while non-impact printers use technologies like spraying ink or using lasers to create images. Impact printers tend to be noisier and slower than non-impact printers.

Q: What are the advantages of impact printers?

A: Impact printers are known for their durability, ability to print on multiple types of paper, and suitability for applications such as printing receipts and multi-part forms.

Q: What are the disadvantages of impact printers?

A: The drawbacks of impact printers include their noise levels, slower printing speeds compared to non-impact printers, and limitations in terms of print quality and color printing.

Q: What are the advantages of non-impact printers?

A: Non-impact printers offer quieter operation, faster printing speeds, higher print quality, and the ability to print in color.

Q: What are the disadvantages of non-impact printers?

A: The disadvantages of non-impact printers include their higher cost compared to impact printers, as well as certain limitations in terms of paper handling and the potential for clogged printheads.

Q: How do impact printers compare to dot matrix printers?

A: Impact printers are a type of printer, and dot matrix printers are a specific type of impact printer that uses a grid of tiny pins to form characters. Dot matrix printers are often used for high-volume printing with multipart forms.

Q: How do non-impact printers compare to inkjet printers?

A: Non-impact printers are a type of printer, and inkjet printers are a specific type of non-impact printer that uses tiny nozzles to spray ink onto the paper. Inkjet printers are known for their photo printing capabilities and color accuracy.

Q: What are the features of impact printers?

A: Impact printers are ruggedly constructed, can produce carbon copies, and offer different printing modes such as draft and letter quality.

Q: What are the features of non-impact printers?

A: Non-impact printers are compact in size, have higher resolution capabilities, and offer various connectivity options such as wireless printing and mobile printing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, impact printers use physical contact to create images on paper, while non-impact printers do not make direct contact with the paper. Impact printers include line printers and daisy wheel printers, while non-impact printers include inkjet printers and laser printers. Impact printers are known for their durability and suitability for specific applications, while non-impact printers offer quieter operation, faster printing speeds, higher print quality, and the ability to print in color. Understanding the differences between impact and non-impact printers can help you choose the right printer for your needs.