Printers & Multifunction Devices
Key Takeaways
- Laser printers use the 7-step process: Processing, Charging, Exposing, Developing, Transferring, Fusing, Cleaning — and are best for high-volume text printing.
- Inkjet printers spray liquid ink through microscopic nozzles and excel at photo printing and color accuracy but have higher per-page costs than laser printers.
- Thermal printers use heat to activate chemically treated paper — they require no ink or toner and are used for receipts, labels, and shipping labels.
- 3D printers (additive manufacturing) build objects layer-by-layer using filament (FDM), resin (SLA), or powder — CompTIA A+ covers basic 3D printing concepts and filament types.
- Impact printers (dot matrix) physically strike an ink ribbon against paper, making them the only printer type that can print on multi-part carbon forms — still used for invoices and shipping manifests.
Last updated: March 2026
Printers & Multifunction Devices
Printer Technologies
Laser Printer
Laser printers produce high-quality text output using toner (dry powder) and are ideal for high-volume printing in office environments.
The 7-Step Laser Printing Process:
| Step | Name | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Processing | The printer receives and processes the print data (rasterizes the image) |
| 2 | Charging | A corona wire or primary charge roller applies a uniform negative charge (-600V) to the photosensitive drum |
| 3 | Exposing | A laser beam writes the image on the drum by neutralizing the charge where toner should stick |
| 4 | Developing | Toner (negatively charged) is attracted to the neutralized areas on the drum |
| 5 | Transferring | A transfer corona/roller applies positive charge to paper, pulling toner from drum to paper |
| 6 | Fusing | Heated rollers (up to 200°C / 400°F) melt and bond the toner to the paper permanently |
| 7 | Cleaning | A rubber blade cleans residual toner from the drum; an erase lamp removes remaining charge |
Memory Aid: "People Can Easily Detect Toner Fluid Clearly" (Processing, Charging, Exposing, Developing, Transferring, Fusing, Cleaning)
Laser Printer Maintenance:
- Replace toner cartridge when print quality fades
- Replace drum unit per manufacturer schedule
- Clean corona wires if vertical white lines appear
- Replace fuser assembly if toner smudges or rubs off
Inkjet Printer
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | Piezoelectric or thermal spray of liquid ink through nozzles |
| Print Quality | Excellent for photos and color (up to 9600 x 2400 DPI) |
| Cost per Page | Higher than laser |
| Speed | Slower than laser (especially for text) |
| Maintenance | Print head cleaning, ink cartridge replacement, nozzle unclogging |
| Best For | Home use, photo printing, low-volume color |
Inkjet Maintenance Issues:
- Clogged print heads (dried ink) — run cleaning cycle from printer software
- Ink bleeding — using wrong paper type for the ink
- Faded prints — low ink levels
Thermal Printer
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | Heated print head activates chemically treated paper |
| Consumables | Special thermal paper only — NO ink or toner required |
| Speed | Very fast |
| Quality | Moderate (text and barcodes) |
| Durability | Prints fade over time (heat/light sensitive) |
| Use Cases | Receipts, shipping labels, event tickets, medical wristbands |
3D Printer
| Technology | Description | Material |
|---|---|---|
| FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) | Extrudes heated filament layer-by-layer | PLA, ABS, PETG filament |
| SLA (Stereolithography) | UV laser cures liquid resin | Photopolymer resin |
| SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) | Laser fuses powder material | Nylon, polyamide powder |
Common 3D Printing Filaments:
- PLA — Biodegradable, easy to print, low warp; most popular
- ABS — Stronger, heat resistant; requires heated bed and ventilation
- PETG — Food-safe, flexible, good chemical resistance
Impact Printer (Dot Matrix)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | Pins strike an ink ribbon against paper |
| Print Quality | Low (text-based, draft quality) |
| Speed | Moderate |
| Noise | Very loud |
| Unique Ability | Can print on multi-part/carbon copy forms |
| Use Cases | Invoices, receipts, shipping manifests, continuous forms |
Printer Connectivity
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| USB | Direct connection to one computer (USB-B to printer, USB-A to PC) |
| Ethernet (RJ-45) | Network printer accessible by all network devices |
| Wi-Fi | Wireless network printer |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Peer-to-peer wireless printing (no network required) |
| Bluetooth | Short-range wireless (typically mobile printing) |
| Cloud Printing | Print via internet services (Google Cloud Print, manufacturer cloud services) |
Printer Installation
Network Printer Setup
- Connect the printer to the network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
- Assign a static IP address or DHCP reservation
- Install printer drivers on each client OR use a print server
- Add the printer using its IP address or network discovery
- Configure default settings (paper size, quality, duplex)
- Print a test page to verify
Shared Printer Setup (Windows)
- Install the printer on one computer (host)
- Share the printer via Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Printer Properties > Sharing
- Other computers connect using \hostname\printer-name or network discovery
- Drivers are installed automatically if compatible
Test Your KnowledgeOrdering
Arrange the laser printing process steps in the correct order:
Arrange the items in the correct order
1
Cleaning
2
Charging
3
Developing
4
Exposing
5
Fusing
6
Processing
7
Transferring
Test Your Knowledge
Which printer type is the ONLY one capable of printing on multi-part carbon copy forms?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
In the laser printing process, which step melts and bonds the toner to the paper?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
A thermal printer requires which unique consumable?
A
B
C
D