Definition of printers, history, functions, types, and how they work

In today's computer development has progressed so rapidly. There is no exception in the world of other hardware such as printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, power supplies, etc.

Today many printers appear in different sizes, brands, and types. At the same time, printer manufacturers have always been the only players, namely Epson, Canon, Samsung, Brother, HP.

But do you know what the printer's history is, what are the types of printers and their functions? For this reason, in this article, Online will discuss all of that in full and in-depth. For that, see the description below.

Understanding Printer
In Wikipedia, a printer is a device that displays data in printed form, either in the form of text or images/graphics, on paper.

Another definition of a printer is a device that can display text or images that originally came from digital software into a form that is printed on paper.

The printer comes from the word "Print," which means print, so a printer is a tool for printing. In computers, printers are output peripherals that display the results of writing or images on paper or similar media.

Printer History
The beginning of the printer appeared in the 19th century. Then the electronic printer was first made by Epson with the name EP-101, which was launched in 1968. Epson itself is a Japanese company.

Furthermore, printers sold initially used a system of electric typewriters, but many wanted the speed to be higher so that the printer was better. The development of printers that use a new system is more specific only for computers.

In the 1980s, there were several printer systems, namely daisy wheel, line printer, and dot matrix. The Daisy wheel has a concept similar to a typewriter. Meanwhile, line printers can display the same output but faster.

While the dot matrix can mix text and graphics, the print quality is still low. Those who want high-quality output must use a plotter.

In 1984, a laser printer sold at affordable prices appeared, starting with the emergence of the HP LaserJet. Furthermore, in the following year, there was the addition of PostScript created by Apple LaserWriter, which made a revolution in the world of printing known as Desktop Publishing.

Laser printers that use PostScript can combine text and images like a dot matrix, but the quality is better.

It continued in the 1990s that many printing jobs were created on personal computers before they were printed using a laser printer, making expensive printing systems neglected.

Then before 1988, the HP Deskjet promoted the same advantages as laser printers in terms of flexibility and lower prices, but with lower output quality than laser printers.

The inkjet system could further replace the dot matrix and daisy wheels in the market. In fact, since the 2000s, many high-quality printers have started using this inkjet system, so it has become commonplace.

Then around 2010, three-dimensional (3D) printing became the topic of conversation. Printers used for 3D printing are still in the development stage and cannot be used in general.

Meanwhile, with the development of fast technology such as sending email, and the internet, the printer is not something everyone should have. There are many ways to send files, such as using email, chat applications, etc.

Printer Functions
The printer functions as a printing device or directly displays data from the computer to the user. This printed data can be anything, such as documents, letters, files, and important documents.

Nowadays, documents can be easily created using word processing applications or software such as Microsoft Office. Microsoft Word, Excel, powerpoint, publisher, and notepad.

Document types in the form of images or photos can be printed through software such as Adobe Photoshop and Coreldraw. To print an image is a little different from ordinary documents, both about the size or quality of the paper used for printing.

Often, to print photos, a high-quality printer is needed so that the results displayed are also better.

The development of printers is increasing rapidly; there are types of printers that can print without having to be connected to a cable, namely a wireless printer or a wifi printer. In addition, printers for printing banners, banners, billboards.

Printers for printing banners, banners, invitations, screen printing also require different media. No longer using paper, but using a Klinik media, cloth to glass.

The next printer function is to add other features to the printer that can be used for printing. This function is to read documents and edit them into digital form, better known as scans.

In Indonesia, a scanner is a tool that can read documents on paper or books and then convert them into digital media that can be changed or added. So, in brief, the printer functions, namely:

Enhancements for printing documents on paper and or other media
Tools for reading documents and converting them into digital data.
Printer Types
Printers circulating in society today have many types, including:

Printer Dot Matrix
Dot-matrix printers are printers that use ribbons as a printing tool. This printer uses ribbons to display its output on paper; the printout of the dot matrix printer is rougher and less good.

This type of printer is rarely used, usually in-office retail stores (Alfamart, Indomaret, and the like).

A dot matrix printer works by pulling the ribbon; then, the printer will move to the right and left to print the output on paper.

LaserJet Printer
Furthermore, the type of laserjet printer is a printer that uses a printing system with powdered ink or what is often called a toner that uses an infrared device. Laserjet printer printing results are better than dot-matrix types but are still below inkjet printers.

However, laserjet printers can print faster, and the results dry faster than the print on a copier. This printer works by pulling out the paper and printing it with toner or ink powder.

Printer Ink-Jet
An inkjet printer is a printer that can print using an ink system as a material for printing it. This printer can print better than dot matrix and laser types but for slower print speeds than laserjets.

Inkjet printers are more widely used in society, whether for personal, business, or office use and agencies. Currently, there are many types of inkjet printers, such as multifunction printers (print, photocopy, scan), which are used in one device.

In addition, there are also inkjet printers that are provided with IV tubes to make filling ink easier. Can print small to large paper sizes such as calendars, A3 paper, etc.

The way this inkjet printer works is by pulling the paper; then, the printer system will print the output with the ink in the cartridge. This type of printer experiences errors quickly, so Printer Service must be done.

Printer Label Inkjet
It is a type of inkjet printer used to print labels such as attachments to electronic products and others.

Label Printer
It is a type of printer that is small and is used to print labels in very small sizes. Usually, to stick to electronic products for laptops, smartphones, etc.

Printer Thermal
It is a type of printer often used for shopping centers and fax machines. This type of printer can work by taking a roll of paper that turns dark when heated.

How it works by dragging the paper next to the print head, which contains a sophisticated electronic heater, and can display text and simple graphics on the paper. This type of printer does not require ink, toner, or other equipment, making it easier to maintain.

3D printer (three dimensional)
This printer was first made by Charles W. Hull in 1984, a sophisticated printer, and now many are using it. The way to paper this printer is to use a design from a digital image which is then printed into a 3D physical object.

The materials used for the printing process of this printer are metal, polymer, wax, or plastic that have been adjusted according to the needs.

Thus a complete description of the printer, functions, history, and how it works. Hopefully, it can help those who need references to technical knowledge. Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to the next article.