Dot Matrix Printer (10 products)

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What is a Dot Matrix printer?

A dot matrix printer is an impact printer that prints using a fixed number of pins or wires. Typically the pins or wires are arranged in one or several vertical columns. The pins strike an ink-coated ribbon and force contact between the ribbon and the paper, so that each pin makes a small dot on the paper. The combination of these dots forms a dot matrix image.

What are Dot Matrix Printers generally used for?

They are predominately used with multi-part stationery and with point-of-sale systems. The tractor feed also makes these printers especially useful in settings such as garages, restaurants, and data centres. Whatever you use your dot matrix printer for we have a great selection for you to choose from including machines from Epson, Lexmark, and OKI.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s they were extremely popular with businesses looking to cut costs and become more efficient. Up until the 1990s they were the most popular home and office printers. Thirty or so years later, there has been a change in the industry, and they don't tend to be used in the home or office anymore. However, they are still an excellent choice for manufacturing businesses because they can use carbon paper to make multiple copies of documents. They are extremely reliable machines and still popular in industrial settings where endurance and reliability is a constant requirement, and they requite minimal human supervision. Companies which perform extensive data- logging and creating multi-part forms also find dot matrix printers invaluable.

What are the benefits of Dot Matrix printers?

Firstly, this style of printers scores highly when it comes to the cost of each page. For large companies who just want a reliable and low-cost, hard-working machine, rather than high print quality. The quality of the print is determined by the number of pins that print the dots and can vary between 9 and 24, with a 24-pin dot matrix printer, such as Epson LQ-350 A4 Mono Dot Matrix Printer, offering the best quality.

Speed, ink and durability

As far as speed goes, dot matrix printers print at anything between 30 and 1500 characters per second, depending on the quality of print needed. Dot matrix printers usually have settings where you can change the speed. And when it comes to ink, the ink ribbons in dot matrix printers (usually red or black) don't tend to dry out whether the ribbon in front of the print head or that stored in the casing. Thanks to ink ribbons, the cost to maintain a machine like this is low.

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