A hammer presses the wheel against a ribbon, which in turn makes an ink stain in the shape of the character on the paper. Creates characters by striking pins against an ink ribbon. Each pin makes a dot, and combinations of dots form characters and illustrations. Sprays ink at a sheet of paper. Uses the same technology as copy machines.
Laser printers produce very high quality text and graphics.
Similar to a laser printer, but uses liquid crystals or light-emitting diodes rather than a laser to produce an image on the drum. Contains a chain of characters or pins that print an entire line at one time. Line printers are very fast, but produce low-quality print. An inexpensive printer that works by pushing heated pins against heat-sensitive paper. Thermal printers are widely used in calculators and fax machines.