Glossary

1. What is a printer?

A printer is an output device that takes digital data from a computer or other device and generates a hard copy (physical copy) of that data, typically on paper. It translates electronic information, such as text and images, into a tangible format.

2. Is a printer input or output?

A printer is an output device. It receives data from a computer (input) and then produces a physical output (a printed document). While some multifunction printers have scanning capabilities (which is an input function), the printing component itself is always an output.

3. What is ADF in a printer?

ADF stands for Automatic Document Feeder. It's a feature on a printer, scanner, or multifunction device that allows you to load multiple pages into a tray, and the machine automatically feeds them one by one for copying, scanning, or faxing, saving you from manually placing each sheet on the scanner glass.

4. What is auto duplex printing?

Auto duplex printing is the ability of a printer to automatically print on both sides of a sheet of paper without manual intervention. This saves paper and time, as you don't need to physically flip the pages to print on the reverse side.

5. How much does a printer cost?

The cost of a printer varies significantly based on its type, features, brand, and intended use. Basic inkjet printers/ink tank for home use can range from ₹13,990 to ₹18,290, while more advanced inkjet/ink tank or monochrome laser printers for small offices might cost ₹22,490 to ₹35,590. High-end colour laser printers, multifunction devices, or specialized printers for businesses can range ₹35,990 to ₹69,990.

6. How does a laser printer work?

A laser printer works by using a laser beam to create an image on a photosensitive drum. The process involves several steps:

• Charging: The drum is uniformly charged positively.
• Exposing: A laser beam, controlled by the data from the computer, rapidly "draws" the image onto the drum, neutralizing the charge in areas where toner should stick, creating a latent electrostatic image.
• Developing: Negatively charged toner particles are attracted to the positively charged areas on the drum where the laser has written.
• Transferring: The paper is given a strong positive charge and rolled past the drum, pulling the toner image from the drum onto the paper.
• Fusing: The paper with the toner is then passed through heated rollers (fuser unit), which melt and permanently bond the toner to the paper.
• Cleaning: The drum is cleaned of any residual toner and discharged, ready for the next print job.

7. What is a laser printer?

A laser printer is a type of non-impact printer that uses a laser beam to produce high-quality text and graphics on paper. Unlike inkjet printers that use liquid ink, laser printers use toner, a fine powder, and a process involving static electricity, a photosensitive drum, and heat to permanently fuse the toner onto the paper. They are generally known for their speed, precision, and lower cost per page for high-volume printing.

8. What is an inkjet printer?

An inkjet printer is a type of computer peripheral that creates a hard copy of digital documents or images by spraying tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. It's one of the most common types of printers for home and office use, known for its ability to produce high-quality colour prints, including photos.

9. What is the best printer for home use in India?

The "best" printer depends on your needs. For basic document printing, an affordable inkjet or monochrome laser printer is ideal. If you print photos or colour graphics, a colour inkjet or ink tank printer is a better choice.

10. Which is better for home printing—ink tank, ink cartridge, or laser?

1. Ink Cartridge: Best for low-volume, occasional printing. The initial cost is low, but ink cartridges can be expensive, leading to a higher cost per page.
2. Ink Tank: Best for high-volume printing. They have a higher upfront cost, but the refillable ink tanks offer a very low cost per page, making them economical in the long run.
3. Laser: Best for high-speed, high-volume text-only printing. They use toner cartridges, which are more efficient for monochrome documents and have a low cost per page for black and white prints.

11. How do I choose between a monochrome and a colour printer?

Choose a monochrome (black and white) printer if your primary need is printing text documents, bills, or other black-and-white pages. Choose a colour printer if you need to print school projects, photos, or documents with charts and graphs.

12. What is the ideal printer for students and school projects?

An all-in-one colour ink tank printer is generally the best choice. It allows for printing, scanning, and copying, and the low cost per page of ink tank technology makes it economical for frequent printing of assignments and projects with colour.

13. Which printer has the lowest cost per page in India?

Ink tank printers, typically have the lowest cost per page. Their refillable ink bottle system is significantly more economical than traditional ink cartridges for high-volume printing.

14. What is the price range for a good home printer?

For a good quality, multi-function ink tank printer suitable for most home and student needs, the price range is typically between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000.

15. Are Wi-Fi printers better than USB printers for home use?

Wi-Fi printers offer more flexibility, allowing you to print from multiple devices (laptops, phones, tablets) without being physically connected. They are ideal for households with multiple users. USB printers are simpler to set up but limit printing to a single, connected computer. Many modern printers offer both options.

16. What does "cost per page" mean, and why is it important?

"Cost per page" (CPP) is the average cost to print a single page. It is calculated by dividing the cost of the ink or toner cartridge by the number of pages it can print (page yield). CPP is crucial because it indicates the long-term running cost of a printer, which can often exceed the initial purchase price.

17. What is duplex printing, and do I need it for home use?

Duplex printing is the ability to print automatically on both sides of a page. This feature saves paper and is convenient for printing reports, documents, and other multi-page materials. While not essential, an automatic duplex printer can be a very useful feature for home and student use.

18. How fast should a printer be for normal home needs?

For most home users, a print speed of 8-12 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white documents and 4-6 ppm for colour is sufficient. If you frequently print large documents, a printer with a higher ppm will be more efficient.

19. Can I print directly from my mobile phone?

Yes, most modern Wi-Fi printers are equipped with apps and features that allow you to print photos and documents directly from your smartphone or tablet. This feature is particularly useful for printing on the go without needing a computer.

20. What is the difference between scanning with a flatbed vs. ADF?

A flatbed scanner requires you to place a single page on a glass platen and scan it manually. It is best for scanning delicate items, books, and single pages. An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) scanner automatically feeds multiple pages through the scanner, making it ideal for scanning multi-page documents quickly and efficiently.

21. Which is the best printer for a small office in India?

The best printer for a small office in India is typically a multifunction laser printer (MFP) or a high-volume ink tank printer. MFPs are great for their all-in-one functionality (print, copy, scan), while ink tank printers are incredibly cost-effective for frequent colour printing.

22. What is the difference between an office printer and a home printer?

Office printers are designed for higher volume, faster speeds, and greater durability. They often have advanced features like network connectivity, larger paper trays, and robust security options. Home printers are typically smaller, slower, and designed for occasional use with a much lower monthly duty cycle.

23. Which is better for business use: laser printer or ink tank printer?

1. Laser printers are better for businesses that primarily print a high volume of black and white text documents quickly. They have a lower cost per page for monochrome printing and are very durable.
2. Ink tank printers are better for businesses that require high-volume colour printing at a low cost. They have a higher initial price but the refillable ink system offers a very low cost per page for both colour and black and white.

24. How do I choose between monochrome and colour for office printing?

Choose a monochrome printer if your office primarily prints invoices, reports, and other text-based documents where colour isn't necessary. Go for a colour printer if you need to print marketing materials, presentations, or documents with charts and graphs, as it can be a vital part of your brand identity and communication.

25. Which printers are best for high-volume printing at low cost?

Ink tank printers and monochrome laser printers are best for high-volume printing at a low cost. Ink tank printers are ideal for colour-heavy jobs, while monochrome laser printers are unmatched for economical black and white document printing.

26. What is the best multifunction printer (MFP) for an office?

The best MFP combines printing, scanning, and copying capabilities. For an office, look for an MFP with an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for efficient scanning of multi-page documents, and robust network connectivity. A colour laser or ink tank MFP is a great option as it provides versatility for different business needs.

27. Which printer is suitable for printing invoices, bills, and reports?

A monochrome laser printer is perfectly suitable for these tasks. It is fast, efficient, and provides a very low cost per page for black and white text. For thermal receipt printing, you would need a specialized thermal printer, not a standard office printer.

28. What is duplex printing and is it important for an office?

Duplex printing is the ability to automatically print on both sides of a sheet of paper. It is a very important feature for an office as it can significantly reduce paper consumption and save on costs, while also creating more professional-looking, double-sided documents.

29. How fast should a business printer be for efficient workflows?

For a small to medium-sized office, a printer with a speed of 20-30 pages per minute (ppm) is generally sufficient to maintain efficient workflows. For larger offices with very high print volumes, speeds of 40 ppm or more might be required.

30. Do all business printers have ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)?

No, not all business printers have an ADF. While it's a common and highly beneficial feature on multifunction printers (MFPs), you will find some entry-level models that lack this feature. For any office that scans or copies multi-page documents regularly, an ADF is a must-have feature to save time and effort.

31. Can business printers scan and email documents directly?

Yes, many modern business printers, especially MFPs, have a "Scan to Email" function. This feature allows you to scan a document and send it directly to an email address from the printer's control panel without needing a computer. This can be a major time-saver for document sharing.

32. What security features should an office printer have?

Key security features include user authentication (PIN or card access), secure printing (holding print jobs until the user is at the printer), and data encryption. These features prevent unauthorized access to the device and protect sensitive information from being left on the printer tray.

33. Can I restrict printer access for certain employees?

Yes, most office printers with network connectivity allow you to restrict access. This is typically done through the printer's internal settings or via a central print server, where you can configure user accounts and permissions to control who can print, and sometimes even what they can print.

34. Do office printers support mobile and cloud printing?

Yes, most new office printers come equipped with Wi-Fi and support for mobile printing apps (like AirPrint, Mopria) and cloud services. This allows employees to easily print documents from their smartphones, tablets, or even from a remote location.