Level 1 - General printer types and maintenance

Printer drivers

Very specific to printer model

32 vs 64 bit OS operate very differently

Make sure you install the correct driver for the OS

PCL (Printer command language) by HP - industry standard

PostScript by Adobe - better performance

Printer sharing

Direct connection to computer vs. server connection

A print server manages a queue of jobs, with web-based front end interface

Wireless sharing:
Bluetooth - limited range
802.11 Infrastructure - uses access point
802.11 Ad Hoc - no access point, direct wireless link

Configuration settings

Duplex - print both sides without manually flipping paper
Not possible for all printers

Orientation - Portrait vs landscape

Tray settings - multiple trays with different paper

Quality - resolution, greyscale, color

Printer security

User authentication for who can use the printer and who can manage the printer

Badging - no print access without badge

Audit logs - View system events and monitor activity, can be built into printer or server

Secured prints - require passcode, must be supported by printer

Scanners

Flatbed scanner has different form factors - standalone device or built into printer

Scanner may include automatic document feeder (ADF)

Network scan services: scan to email, scan to folder, scan to cloud

Laser printer

Powdered ink adheres to paper using charged ions and heat, then laser makes ink permanent

Very high quality and fast

Very complex, hard to fix hardware, usually complete replacement

Inkjet printer

Relatively cheap, quiet, high res

Ink is expensive, eventually runs out, can clog easily

Thermal printers

Special chemical paper turns black when heated

Very quiet, no ink

paper is sensitive to light and heat

Impact printer

Components: printer head, printer ribbon, tractor feed

low cost, good for many copies

noisy, very niche uses

3D printers

Filament printing for layer by layer

Resin printing uses UV light to harden

Print bed is flat and adhesive