In computing terms, a printer is a device (usually peripheral) that produces a hard copy of documents stored in electronic form, usually on print media such as paper, card or transparencies.

Many printers are primarily used as computer peripherals, and are permanently connected by a printer cable to a computer which serves as a document source. In most newer printers, a USB cable connects to a computer which serves as the document source. Other printers, commonly known as network printers, have built-in network interfaces and can serve as a hardcopy device for any user connected to the network.

In addition, many modern printers can directly interface to electronic media such as memory sticks or memory cards, or to image capture devices such as digital cameras, and scanners; some printers are integrated with a scanning and/or fax machine function - these printers are generally known as "multi-functional" or "all-in-one" printers.

Printers are designed for short-turnaround print jobs; requiring all-but no setup time to achieve a quality hard copy print of a required document.

The two main types of printers commonly found in the home and business are inkjet and laser toner printers.

A laser printer rapidly produces high quality text and graphics by employing a xerographic printing process by producing an image by the direct scanning of a laser beam across the printer's photoreceptor. In contrast, an inkjet printer operates by propelling variably-sized droplets of liquid or molten material (ink) onto almost any sized page. They are the most common type of computer printer used by consumers.

In contrast, the printing press is designed and optimised for high-volume print jobs such as newspaper print runs: printing presses are capable of hundreds of pages per minute or more, and have an incremental cost-per-page which is a fraction of that of printers.

The printing press remains the machine of choice for high-volume, professional publishing. Although, as printers have improved in quality and performance, many jobs which used to be done by professional print shops are now done by users on local printers.

However, as printer technology has improved in quality and performance, many jobs which used to be done by professional print shops can now be readily done by users on local printers.

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Article by UK Ink Supplies, based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire stock an extensive range of printer ink cartridges and laser toner printer cartridges.  For more information visit UK Ink Supplies for the latest Jet Tec ink cartridges, laser toners and other digital media products for your inkjet printer. Article posted 17th February 2011.