A dot matrix printer or impact matrix printer is a printer with a print head that prints by impact and runs back and forth, or in an up and down motion, on the page striking an ink-soaked cloth ribbon against the paper, much like the print mechanism on a typewriter. However, unlike a typewriter, letters are drawn out of a 'dot matrix', enabling the use of varied fonts and arbitrary graphics. Because the printing involves mechanical pressure, Dot Matrix printers can create carbon copies and carbonless copies.
9-Pin Dot Matrix Printers or 24-Pin Dot Matrix Printers?
In recent times, more and more 24-pin Dot Matrix printers are being produced. Whilst 9-Pin Dot Matrix printers are still widely used, 24-pin dot matrix printers provided sharper text production and often quicker print speeds due to their larger print heads.
Dot Matrix printers are ideal for printing multi-part pages, often to makes carbon copies from a continuous paper feed. making them ideal for data logging. Their ink life is usually far greater than laser or inkjet printers and generally tends to fade rather than coming to a complete stop. Dot Matrix printers are extrememly reliable and are preferred when content is more important than the quality of the print output.