Ink jet printers

[J. Yazel]

I need a pointer to a fairly simple description of how ink jet
printers work (specifically the inking process).

It seems to me that every time the printer starts up, it
would seem that an application ink is sprayed on the
printing mechanism.

For very low-volume printing (e.g. a home user that may
only print an average of 1-4 pages daily), the ink cost
has to be tremendous.

I'm asking because I use an old matrix printer for most
of my printing because of the above.

Am I way off base?

Thnaks for any info.

Jack

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[pjdd]

I need a pointer to a fairly simple description of how ink jet
printers work (specifically the inking process).

It seems to me that every time the printer starts up, it
would seem that an application ink is sprayed on the
printing mechanism.

For very low-volume printing (e.g. a home user that may
only print an average of 1-4 pages daily), the ink cost
has to be tremendous.

I'm asking because I use an old matrix printer for most
of my printing because of the above.

Am I way off base?

Thnaks for any info.

Jack

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkjet
Also Google with "how inkjet printers work"

Operating cost is certainly higher than that of dot matix
printers, but not prohibitive for low-volume work, and
they're much faster and produce much better print quality.

I've been using an entry-level HP inkjet for the past two
years. My own printing volume is very low - lower than your
1-4 pages a day - and mainly text, but my kids sometimes
use my printer for their class projects. So it's rather
difficult to estimate actual usage. In any case, the black
ink cartridge that came with the printer lasted about a year.

Personally, I chose HP because 1) the print head is
integrated with the ink cartridge, and replacing a cartridge
also installs a new print head; 2) it's not finicky about
the paper fed to it. I've printed on copier paper, cheap
flimsy typing paper, crumpled paper, envelopes, tracing
paper, polyester film, photo paper. And I've had only 3 or 4
paper jams during those 2 years.

 

[Rod Speed]

I need a pointer to a fairly simple description of how ink jet
printers work (specifically the inking process).

It seems to me that every time the printer starts up, it
would seem that an application ink is sprayed on the
printing mechanism.

For very low-volume printing (e.g. a home user that may
only print an average of 1-4 pages daily), the ink cost
has to be tremendous.

I'm asking because I use an old matrix printer for most
of my printing because of the above.

Am I way off base?

Yes, it doesnt amount to all that much ink wasted.

 

[meow2222]

I need a pointer to a fairly simple description of how ink jet
printers work (specifically the inking process).

a flim resistor boils a tiny amount of ink causing it to be shot out
the nozzle and make a dot on the paper. There are also some that use
piezo technology.

It seems to me that every time the printer starts up, it
would seem that an application ink is sprayed on the
printing mechanism.

cant figure what you mean. Head cleaning does waste ink, and they do
that at power on. So dont switch on and off along with the pc.

For very low-volume printing (e.g. a home user that may
only print an average of 1-4 pages daily), the ink cost
has to be tremendous.

if youre in the 3rd world, yes. Not otherwise.

I'm asking because I use an old matrix printer for most
of my printing because of the above.

Am I way off base?

?

DMs are far cheaper to run, but the quality is much lower, and theyre
noisy and slow. I assume you mean 180dpi 24 pin dms, if you mean 9 pin
theres not even the least comparison. No idea why youre asking.

DMs are more reliable IME.


NT

 

[Joe]

How about a cheap B&W laser. I have a HP 1012 Laser that I bought a year ago
and have gone threw 2000 sheets of paper and counting and it still has toner
in it and I only paid $80 for it. Even If I would have gotten an Inkjet
given to me I would have spent more on ink than I paid for the laser.

Joe

 

[Guest]

It seems to me that every time the printer starts up, it
would seem that an application ink is sprayed on the
printing mechanism.

For very low-volume printing (e.g. a home user that may
only print an average of 1-4 pages daily), the ink cost
has to be tremendous.

Only if you print very, very few characters per session, but then just
the per character cost is high, not the per page cost.

I'm asking because I use an old matrix printer for most
of my printing because of the above.

What kind of dot matrix printer -- ink jet, laser, or impact?

If you print very infrequently, like less than once a week, ink jets
can clog, but if you don't need color but do need quality better than
an impact printer offers, a black & white laser may be the best option,
and Samsungs are occasionally offered for $30 after rebate. In
comparison, impact printers costing $150 a decade ago are now $350.

 

[Jan Alter]

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Only if you print very, very few characters per session, but then just
the per character cost is high, not the per page cost.


What kind of dot matrix printer -- ink jet, laser, or impact?

If you print very infrequently, like less than once a week, ink jets
can clog, but if you don't need color but do need quality better than
an impact printer offers, a black & white laser may be the best option,
and Samsungs are occasionally offered for $30 after rebate. In
comparison, impact printers costing $150 a decade ago are now $350.

If you are only in need of b/w printing and quality print out then a cheap
laser printer should be what you are looking for at this point. There is no
fear of head clogs and cost per sheet is lower than an inkjet. A laser
printer should prove reliable for your intentions.

Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us

 

[J. Yazel]

I need a pointer to a fairly simple description of how ink jet
printers work (specifically the inking process).

It seems to me that every time the printer starts up, it
would seem that an application ink is sprayed on the
printing mechanism.

For very low-volume printing (e.g. a home user that may
only print an average of 1-4 pages daily), the ink cost
has to be tremendous.

I'm asking because I use an old matrix printer for most
of my printing because of the above.

Am I way off base?

Thnaks for any info.

Jack

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Thanks for all of the responses. Especially about the Laser printers.

Jack

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