Depending on whether the picture produced is created by pressing an ink ribbon on the paper, printers are divided into two categories. There are two different types of printers: impact and non-impact printers. Impact printers create prints on paper by forcing the head or needle into the ink ribbon. However, with non-impact printers, direct physical contact between the paper and the printing apparatus is not necessary. Impact printers perform printing using mechanical components, whereas non-impact printers do not use a mechanical moving component. In this article, we will discuss the differences between impact and non-impact printers. Keep reading to learn in detail about this topic.

What is an Impact Printer?

A metal or plastic head is used in impact printers to print by slapping it against an ink ribbon. The page is marked with the proper character, dot, line, or symbol by pressing the ink ribbon against the paper. Impact printers create images and characters by striking an inked ribbon with a mechanism like a print hammer or wheel, creating a mark on the paper. Hammering a metal pin or character dye onto the paper produces the print in impact printers. Impact printers use unique inked ribbons that, when the print head hits them, make prints on paper. Because they have numerous moving parts and the print head strikes the ribbon and paper, impact printers produce a lot of noise.

Examples:

Some types of impact printers include ball printers, dot-matrix printers, daisy wheel printers, line printers, drum printers, and chain printers.

What is a Non-impact Printer?

Non-impact printers are those that produce characters and images without making direct physical contact with the paper. Non-impact printers create fine-quality images swiftly and quietly by using a cartridge loaded with toner or liquid ink. Because they do not use a string mechanism in which the print head contacts the ribbon and paper, non-impact printers are quieter than impact printers. It is essentially silent when ink or toner is being applied to paper. Characters and images are created using non-impact printers without any actual physical contact between the printing machine and the paper. Non-impact printers print on paper using a laser, a specific ink spray, heat, or pressure.

Examples:

Examples of non-impact printers include laser printers, inkjet printers, and thermal printers.

Difference between Impact and Non-Impact Printer in Tabular Form

Points	Impact Printer	Non-Impact Printer
Description	Impact printers create images and characters by striking an inked ribbon with a mechanism like a print hammer or wheel, creating a mark on the paper.	Characters and images are created using non-impact printers without any actual physical contact between the printing machine and the paper.
Character Style	Character styles in impact printers cannot be modified, with the exception of the dot matrix.	It can print several character kinds by connecting each printer individually.
Cost	They are usually more affordable.	When compared to impact printers, they are more pricey.
Graphic Images	Impact printers cannot print graphical images, with the exception of dot matrix printers.	Graphical pictures can definitely be printed with non-impact printers.
Nature Of Paper Sheet Used	Continuous paper sheets are used there.	They frequently make use of single paper sheets.
Noise Level	They produce a lot of noise because of their numerous moving elements and the impact of the print head on the ribbon and paper.	They are not particularly noisy. It is essentially silent when ink or toner is being applied to paper.
Print Quality	Impact printers produce prints of inferior quality to non-impact printers.	Impact printers produce prints of worse quality than non-impact printers.
Printing Ink	When the print head hits the paper, they use unique inked ribbons to create the print.	For printing on paper, they use toner or cartridges.
Printing Mechanism	Hammering a metal pin or character dye onto the paper produces the print in impact printers.	Ink is deposited on paper in any way to create prints in non-impact printers.
Printing Process	To print on paper, they strike an inked ribbon with pins, hammers, or wheels.	To print on paper, they use a laser, a specific ink spray, heat, or pressure.
Speed	These printers print slowly. When printing a document takes a long time.	They can print several pages per minute and are highly quick.
Technology	They employ outdated printing techniques.	They use the most recent printing technologies.