The Key Differences Between Impact and Non-Impact Printers
Printing technology has come a long way over the years, and now we have an array of printers to choose from. The two primary types of printers are impact and non-impact printers. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s essential to understand the differences to select the best printer that suits your business needs.
Impact Printers
Impact printers have been around for a while, and they work by striking an ink ribbon against paper to produce text or images. There are two types of impact printers: dot-matrix and daisy-wheel printers.
Dot-matrix printers use tiny pins to create characters on the paper. These printers are very reliable and cost-effective to operate. They are best used in situations that require many copies of a single document, such as invoices, receipts, or inventory logs.
Daisy-wheel printers use a rotating wheel with characters on it to create text on the paper. These printers are slower than dot-matrix printers but produce higher-quality text.
One of the significant advantages of impact printers is that they can print multipart forms, making it easy to create duplicates of documents without using carbon paper.
However, these printers are noisy, slow, and can be expensive to maintain. Also, they have limited color options, making them unsuitable for businesses that require color printing.
Non-Impact Printers
Non-impact printers, on the other hand, use advanced printing technology to create text or images on paper. The two primary types of non-impact printers are inkjet and laser printers.
Inkjet printers work by spraying tiny droplets of ink onto paper. These printers are cheap to purchase but can be expensive to maintain since you have to keep buying ink cartridges. These printers are best used for printing high-quality photos, graphics, and color documents.
Laser printers, on the other hand, use a toner powder to create text or images on paper. These printers are faster, more reliable, and cheaper to maintain than inkjet printers. They are best used in situations that require a high-volume print job, such as printing manuals or books.
Non-impact printers have many advantages over impact printers, including high-quality prints, faster printing speeds, and lower noise levels. However, they are more expensive to purchase, and the cost of consumables can add up in the long term.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between an impact and non-impact printer depends on your business needs. If you require high-quality documents with many color options, then a non-impact printer is the way to go. On the other hand, if you require multi-part forms or carbon copies, then an impact printer is the better option. Whatever your choice, ensure you select a printer that meets your business needs and budget.
Table difference between impact and non impact printer
| Aspect | Impact Printer | Non-Impact Printer |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Printer that operates by physically striking an inked ribbon to transfer the image onto paper | Printer that prints by spraying ink, using heat, or applying pressure without physically striking the paper |
| Cost | Generally less expensive | Generally more expensive |
| Noise Level | Produces noise due to the impact of printing | Produces less noise |
| Print Quality | Relatively low print quality compared to non-impact printers | Produces high-quality images and text |
| Suitable for Printing | Best for printing invoices, receipts, and other forms that require multiple copies | Suitable for printing images, graphics, and text |
| Maintenance | Requires more frequent maintenance, including replacing ribbons and other hardware components | Requires less maintenance due to fewer mechanical components |