Page 37 - DCAP504_Computer Graphics

Computer Graphics

There are various modern printers that make use of new printing technologies. Some of them are as
follows:
1. Toner-based Printer: A laser printer is a toner-based printer. It produces high quality text and
graphics rapidly. The laser printer employs a xerographic printing process. However, it differs
from analog photocopiers. That is, in a laser printer the image is produced by the direct scanning
of a laser beam across the printer's photoreceptor.

The LED is a toner-based printer that uses an array of LEDs instead of a laser to enable
toner adhesion to the print drum.

2. Liquid Inkjet Printers: A liquid inkjet printer is most used printer that is operated by propelling
different-sized droplets of liquid or molten material (ink) onto a page of any size.
3. Solid Ink Printers: Solid ink printers, which are also known as phase-change printers, are a type of
thermal transfer printer. They make use of solid sticks of CMYK-colored ink which are similar to
the consistency of candle wax. These sticks are melted and fed into a piezo crystal operated print-
head. The print-head sprays the ink on a rotating oil coated drum.
4. Dye-sublimation Printers: A dye-sublimation printer (or dye-sub printer) is a printer which
employs a printing process that uses heat to transfer dye to a medium, such as a plastic card,
paper or canvas. The process is to lay one color at a time using a ribbon that has color panels. Dye-
sub printers are intended primarily for high-quality color applications, including color
photography, and are less well-suited for text.

Dye-sublimation printers are generally used in consumer photo printers.

5. Inkless Printers: Thermal printers work by selectively heating regions of special heat-sensitive
paper. Monochrome thermal printers are used in cash registers, ATMs, gasoline dispensers and
some older inexpensive fax machines. Colors are produced on special papers, with different
temperatures and heating rates for different colors. One example is the ZINK technology.

Did you know? ZINK technology is used to print pictures on special papers without using ink.

6. UV Printers: In 2007 the UV printers were still in the development phase. This type of a printer
would make use of a special UV light bar that would write and erase the paper. However, it has to
be noted that the text on the printed pages lasts only for 16 to 24 hours before fading.

Did you know? Xerox Corporation is developing an inkless printer which will make use of a special
reusable paper, which is coated with micrometers of UV light sensitive chemicals.

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