Dot-matrix printer facts for kids

Dot-matrix printers are a type of printer used with computers. Imagine a tiny hammer hitting an ink ribbon to make a mark on paper – that's how a dot-matrix printer works! It uses many small pins to strike the ribbon. Each pin makes a tiny dot. When lots of these dots are put together, they form letters, numbers, and even pictures.

This way of printing is a bit like an old-fashioned typewriter. Each letter you see is actually made up of a grid, or "matrix", of these tiny dots. While most people don't use dot-matrix printers much anymore, they are still very useful for special jobs. For example, they are often used when you need to print on forms that have multiple copies, like receipts or invoices, because the pins can press through several layers of paper at once. The part that prints, called the print head, moves back and forth across the paper, just like a typewriter, creating the text or image.

How Dot-Matrix Printers Work

Dot-matrix printers create images and text by using a print head that moves horizontally across the paper. This print head contains a row of small pins. When the printer needs to make a mark, these pins are pushed forward. They strike an ink-soaked ribbon, which then hits the paper. This impact leaves a small dot of ink on the page.

To form a letter or a picture, the printer quickly fires different combinations of these pins. For example, to print the letter 'A', specific pins will hit the ribbon in a pattern that forms the shape of an 'A' out of many tiny dots. The more pins a printer has, the more detailed and clear the printout can be.

Why Were They Popular?

Dot-matrix printers were very popular for a long time, especially from the 1970s through the 1990s. One big reason was their ability to print on "multi-part forms." These are special papers with several copies, often with carbon paper in between. When the pins strike the top sheet, the pressure transfers the image to all the copies below. This was perfect for things like invoices, receipts, and airline tickets.

Another advantage was their low cost compared to other printers at the time. They were also very durable and could handle continuous paper feeds, which meant they could print long reports without needing new sheets loaded constantly. They were also known for being quite tough and reliable.

Where Are They Used Today?

Even though newer printers like inkjet and laser printers are more common now, dot-matrix printers are still used in specific situations. Their unique ability to print on multi-part forms is still very valuable. You might see them in places like:

• Warehouses and factories: For printing shipping labels, packing slips, and inventory reports.
• Banks: For printing passbooks or transaction records.
• Car rental agencies: For printing contracts that require multiple copies.
• Point-of-sale systems: Some older cash registers still use them for receipts.
• Ticket booths: For printing tickets that need to be duplicated.

They are also very good at printing in harsh environments, like dusty warehouses, where other types of printers might get damaged.

Evolution of Dot-Matrix Technology

Early dot-matrix printers often had 9 pins. This meant the characters looked a bit "dotty" or jagged. Later models improved significantly. Printers with 24 pins became common, offering much better print quality. These were sometimes called "Near Letter Quality" (NLQ) printers because their output was closer to what you'd get from a typewriter.

Companies like Epson and IBM were big names in dot-matrix printer manufacturing. Models like the Epson MX-80 became very famous and were used by many businesses and homes for years.

Images for kids

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  An early Macintosh computer with a dot-matrix printer.

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  Example of a dot-matrix printout.

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  An Epson MX-80, a classic model that remained in use for many years. IBM sold it as their IBM 5152.

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  A rail ticket printed with dot matrix printer

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  Epson LQ 850

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  The Wikipedia logo, converted to Sixel format

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  Upper: Inmac ink ribbon cartridge with black ink for Dot matrix printer. Lower: Inked and folded, the ribbon is pulled into the cartridge by the roller mechanism to the left

See also

In Spanish: Impresora matricial para niños