Computer Printers and Plotters Specifications

Help with Computer Printers and Plotters specifications:

Printer Type


	Printer Type
	Your choices are...
	Daisy-Wheel		Daisy-wheel printers or letter-quality printers use a small wheel with a single pin for each character. The wheel is rotated to the correct pin when marking each character on a page.
	Direct Thermal		Direct thermal printers output sharp, clear text and graphics. They use heat to set images on non-curling, smudge-proof, heavy-stock thermal paper.
	Dot Matrix		Dot matrix printers produce characters and illustrations by striking pins against an ink ribbon to print closely-spaced dots in the appropriate shape. Dot matrix printers can print multi-page forms (carbon copies).
	Flexography		Flexography is a rotary-press printing technology that uses water-based inks. Flexographic printers are often used to print on plastic, paper or cardboard.
	Hot Stamping		Hot stamping machines use heat and pressure to apply an image onto a surface from a film that carries a thin leaf of color.
	Ink Jet		Ink jet printers spray ink droplets through a nozzle onto the page. There are two basic types of ink jet printers: thermal and piezo.
	Laser Printer		Laser printers use a laser beam to produce an image on a drum. The light of the laser alters the electrical charge on the drum, and the drum is then rolled through a reservoir of toner. In turn, the toner is picked up by the charged portions of the drum. Finally, the toner is transferred to the paper through a combination of heat and pressure.
	LED / LCD		LED printers and LCD printers are similar to a laser printers, but uses light-emitting diodes (LED) or liquid crystal displays (LCD) to produce an image on the drum.
	Letterpress		Letterpress printers are simple printing presses that use a die with raised type to press text onto the page.
	Line Printer		Line printers contain a chain of characters or pins that print an entire line at one time. They are very fast, but produce low-quality print. Line matrix printers use the same technology as dot matrix printers, but are much faster over greater workloads.
	Offset Printer		Offset printers use a rubber cylinder to transfer an inked image from a printing plate to paper or other media.
	Pad Printer		Pad printers use silicone pads to print on contoured or difficult plastic surfaces. They are used for relatively small images, text and graphics.
	Plotter		Plotters use a pen to produce line art and images on paper or other media.
	Rotary Press		Rotary presses are similar to letterpresses, but place the raised type on a roller instead of a flat die.
	Rotogravure		Rotogravure printers engrave photographic images on a cylinder that is then used in a rotary printing press.
	Screen Printer		Screen printers transfers an image onto a mesh screen by blocking out the surrounding area or areas.
	Thermal Transfer		Thermal transfer uses heat and pressure to transfer resin-based ink from tiny ribbons directly onto the paper.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary technologies.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

Printer Applications


	Printer Applications
	Your choices are...
	Graphics		Printers can produce graphics.
	CAD / Engineering		Printers produce computer-aided design (CAD) outputs for architectural, engineering, or construction applications.
	GIS / Mapping		Printers can produce maps and outputs from geographical information systems (GIS).
	Bar Codes		Printers produce bar codes, an optical translation which encodes numeric or alphanumeric data in vertical bars and alternating spaces. Bar code bars vary in terms of boldness. Typically, bar codes are printed on labels and then attached to products.
	Commercial / Office		Printers are designed for commercial use. This category includes document printers and printers for general-purpose office applications.
	Date Stamp		Printers can print or mark the manufacturing date, expiration date, packaging date, or other date on products, materials or other media.
	Labels		Printers are designed for labels or adhesive stamps. Most label printers can print barcodes.
	Forms		Printers are designed for use with forms, special documents that contain blank spaces for the insertion of required or requested information. Often, forms often have multiple pages.
	Receipt / POS / Kiosk		Printers are designed to print receipts in retail applications such as point-of-sale systems (POS) and kiosks. Receipt printers can also be used in gaming machines and to print barcodes.
	Mail Pieces (Envelopes)		Printers can print address information on mail pieces such as envelopes.
	Checks / Financial Documents		Printers are used with checks or other financial documents. Check printers are used by financial institutions, as well as payroll and accounting departments.
	ID Cards		Printers output identification (ID) cards on materials such as paper and plastic. Examples of ID cards include employee identification cards, health care cards, and membership cards.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary applications.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

Media Handling


	Maximum Media Length		This is the maximum length of the paper for single sheets and continuous webs.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.

	Maximum Media Width		This is the maximum width of the paper for single sheets, continuous-feed stock, and rolls or webs.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.

	Maximum Media Thickness		This is the maximum thickness of the media that the printer can handle.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.

	Media Handling
	Your choices are...
	Single Sheet		Devices can print or mark single sheets of paper or other material. They may have several trays for different paper sizes.
	Fan Fold (Continuous)		Fan fold paper (e.g., business forms or tape) is made from a web and folded lengthwise or crosswise, like a fan.
	Roll		Rolls are continuous webs of paper or fabric, wrapped (rolled) around a cylinder or ball.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary media.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

Mounting Options


	Mounting Options		Some of the following definitions may differ from those used by manufacturers. Since manufacturers tend to use these terms interchangeably, we have attempted to create clear delineations between them to help you find the product(s) you need.
	Your choices are...
	Panel Mounted		Devices fit a depression within a panel so that they are flush or nearly flush with the panel.
	Rack Mounted		Devices mount in racks and come with hardware such as rail guides, flanges, or tabs. Some rack-mounted devices fit in a standard 19” telecommunications rack.
	Stand Alone		Devices are benchtop or floor-standing units with a full casing or cabinet and an integral interface.
	Portable / Handheld		Devices are portable and/or designed to be operated by hand.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary mounting options.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

Performance Specifications


	Resolution		Printer resolution is the number of dots per square inch (dpi) a printer can output. Generally, printers with a higher dpi have a higher resolution.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.

	Printing Width		Printing or marking width is the width of the characters produced by the printer. This is not the width of the media on which text or images are printed.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.

	Number of Colors		This is the number of colors used for printing and marking.
	Search Logic:		All matching products will have a value greater than or equal to the specified value.

	Digital Interface
	Your choices are...
	Serial / Digital		Devices can provide outputs in serial, parallel, Ethernet or other digital formats.
	Network / Fieldbus		Devices output signals that are formatted according to an industrial fieldbus protocol such as CANbus, PROFIBUS^®, or SERCOS; a networking protocol such as Ethernet; or another industrial automation protocol. PROFIBUS is a registered trademark of PROFIBUS International.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary digital interfaces.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

Features


	RoHS Compliant		Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is a European Union (EU) directive that requires all manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment sold in Europe to demonstrate that their products contain only minimal levels of the following hazardous substances: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl, and polybrominated diphenyl ether. RoHS will become effective on July 1, 2006.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	WEEE Compliant		Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) is a European Union (EU) directive that is designed to encourage the reuse, recycling and recovery of electrical and electronic equipment. WEEE establishes criteria and requirements for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of this equipment. It also makes producers responsible for financing these activities. For their part, retailers and distributors must provide a way for consumers to return used or obsolete equipment without charge. WEEE became effective on August 1, 2005.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	Color Printing		The printer is capable of color output in addition to monochrome output.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	Copying / Scanning Capabilities		The printer is a multifunction system for printing, copying, and/or scanning.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	Industrial Metal Housing		The printer is housed in an industrial metal cabinet for protection.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	Memory / Storage		The printer has storage capacity or memory for custom settings, programming, and processing tasks.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	Programmable		The printer is programmable to facilitate custom printing and marking applications.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	Application Software Included		The printer is equipped with application software.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

	Cutter		The printer has a cutter to separate media from continuous forms or rolls.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

Computer Printers and Plotters Specifications

Printer Type:

Printer Applications:

Maximum Media Length:

Maximum Media Width:

Maximum Media Thickness:

Media Handling:

Mounting Options:

Resolution:

Printing Width:

Number of Colors:

Digital Interface:

RoHS Compliant?

WEEE Compliant?

Color Printing?

Copying / Scanning Capabilities?

Industrial Metal Housing?

Memory / Storage?

Programmable?

Application Software Included?

Cutter?

Help with Computer Printers and Plotters specifications: