As technology evolves, choosing the right electronic equipment can be difficult. If you're in that position, you've come to the right place! In this article, you'll discover the different types of printers and their features, so that by the end you'll know which device to choose.
Dot matrix printers
Dot matrix printers have between 9 and 24 pins arranged in a matrix. They work much like a typewriter: the pins strike the paper through an inked ribbon, "drawing" the desired graphics. Although this type of printer is used mainly for text, it can also print very simple images.
It's worth noting that the number of pins is closely linked to image quality. In other words, more pins means better quality – and faster printing, too.
However, dot matrix printers also have an obvious drawback: they are noisy.
Laser printers
Laser printers work with a dry powder called toner. Inside the device is a rotating drum carrying an electrical charge. When the laser is directed at the drum, the charge disappears from certain points. The drum is then coated with toner, which sticks to the areas that are still charged. Finally, the toner is transferred to the sheet of paper.
Laser technology is ideal for text, delivering exceptional quality. You can also print photos or images on a laser printer, but the result won't be of very high quality. That's why they are used mainly in office buildings and other places where large numbers of text documents are printed.
Inkjet printers
Inkjet printers work by jetting ink, hence the name. The ink is heated by an electric current and then fired in jets onto the page. The droplets are tiny – 0.05 millimetres – so the result is very precise.
Although they print more slowly than laser printers, the image quality is clearly superior. However, the print does not last especially well over time, and the ink can run if the paper accidentally gets wet. Even so, their low purchase price and print quality make inkjet printers very popular.
Latex printers
Latex printers can print on both natural and synthetic materials. They are most often used for commercial purposes: billboards, floor graphics, window stickers, advertising posters, banners, flags, spider displays, labels, packaging and so on.
The most important advantage of latex technology is its scratch resistance. In addition, prints dry quickly and can be laminated immediately.
DTG printers
DTG (direct-to-garment) printing is currently the most popular way to personalise textiles. The process uses an inkjet which, when sprayed onto a fabric, penetrates deep into its fibres. This creates a strong bond between the fibres and the ink, so the print is smooth and lasts very well over time.
DTG printers work best on natural materials such as cotton, hemp, linen and bamboo, and the best results are seen on light-coloured fabrics. However, newer models also perform well on cotton-polyester blends and metallic foils, as well as on dark fabrics. In these cases, though, a pre-treatment is needed to help the inks adhere properly.
UV flatbed printers
UV flatbed printers are used to print on a wide variety of materials, including:
- photo paper;
- canvas;
- acrylic;
- PVC;
- plastic;
- glass;
- ceramics;
- tiles;
- wood;
- metal;
- leather;
- carpets;
UV flatbed printers use UV-curable ink made from acrylic monomers. When the ink is exposed to UV light, it hardens. This process allows printing on a large number of materials of varying thicknesses. This type of printing is similar to screen printing, but the technology is more economical. It also has the advantage of being more environmentally friendly, as it produces less pollution and less waste.
The printed image is also durable, and the graphics are of high quality. UV flatbed printers are typically used for commercial applications.
Multifunction printers
Multifunction devices are not strictly a type of printer, but a device that combines several machines. They bring together the functions of three devices: printer, scanner and copier. Some models also include a fax function.
Multifunction devices can be used both in office buildings and at home. Their main advantage is that they save space, since they replace three or even four machines, as described above. As for printing technology, you can choose between inkjet and laser, depending on your needs.
In conclusion, there are three main types of printer for images and documents (dot matrix, laser and inkjet) and three types of production printer (latex, DTG and UV flatbed). We hope you've found this article useful and that you now know how to choose the right product for your needs.
