Printer

A printer is a peripheral device that converts digital content into a physical image on paper or other media. Most consumer and office printers output text, graphics, or photographs by depositing ink or toner onto a sheet and ejecting it after printing.

The two most common 2D printing technologies are inkjet and laser. Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of ink onto paper, producing high-quality color images and photos; lasers use a charged drum and powdered toner fused with heat to produce sharp text and fast output. Historically, impact printers like dot-matrix were common in business use but are now rare for new devices. Thermal and dye-sublimation printers serve niche roles, such as receipts or photo booths.

Print quality is described by resolution, measured in dots per inch (dpi) or pixels per inch for color, and by color accuracy and reproduction. Practical considerations include print speed, page yield, media support (paper types, weights, and sizes), and whether the device handles duplex printing automatically.

Modern printers connect via USB, Ethernet, or wireless networks and may support mobile printing through apps or cloud services. They rely on drivers and software to manage queues, print settings, and maintenance tasks such as nozzle cleaning for inkjets or replacing drums and fusers for lasers.

Consumables and maintenance influence total cost of ownership. Inkjet printers use replaceable ink cartridges or tanks; laser printers use toner cartridges. Some devices use combined toner and drum units. Regular maintenance can extend life, while recycling programs are common for used cartridges.