The History of Printer Development

Author: Liu Xiaoyao, Guohexingke (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd.

In the face of the tediousness of traditional handwritten writing and the constraints of human labor, people urgently sought a technology that could enhance writing efficiency. Consequently, with the rise of the industrial era, the typewriter was born. By mechanizing and replacing manual labor, the typewriter enabled a shift from conventional handwriting to machine‑based typing, transforming time‑consuming, arduous hand‑writing into fast, efficient printing. This approach not only accelerated the writing process and ensured greater consistency and aesthetic appeal but also completely liberated writers from the myriad limitations imposed by writing materials and environments.

Printers have gradually come into the public eye as modern technology, spurred by the invention and widespread adoption of computers. Since the advent of the first printer, printing technology has undergone continuous evolution and refinement, undergoing multiple breakthroughs—from dot‑matrix to inkjet, laser, multifunction, and photo‑printing. Today, this device is widely used in both everyday life and the workplace, playing an indispensable role. A key driver of advances in printer technology is the ongoing innovation in computer science, while another factor is the ever‑increasing demand for higher‑quality printing.

Tracing the history of printers, we begin with the birth of the computer and its widespread adoption. The advent of computing ushered in the digital information age, providing new mediums for information exchange and the externalization of written language, while also marking the onset of the Second Industrial Revolution. As computers became ubiquitous, a variety of commercial office automation devices emerged; among them, the printer— an indispensable technology that relies on computing—has assumed a pivotal role.

At present, printers are mainly available in the following three types:

1. Dot‑matrix printers: Dot‑matrix printers are classified into two types—character‑type and Chinese‑character‑type. Character‑type dot‑matrix printers use 7‑ or 9‑pin print heads and are primarily used for printing Western letters, numbers, and symbols; their compact size and low cost have contributed to their widespread adoption. In contrast, Chinese‑character‑type dot‑matrix printers are equipped with 24‑pin print heads, enabling them to render Chinese characters and handle graphics in a single pass. However, due to the larger number of pins required, they are relatively more complex. China has successfully developed several 24‑pin Chinese‑character printers, aiming to enhance functionality, improve print quality, increase printing speed, and reduce noise [1].

Dot‑matrix printers offer advantages such as low cost, clear print quality, high reliability, and ease of use, while also enabling simultaneous printing of multiple copies. However, their drawbacks include a complex mechanical design, relatively high noise levels, average print quality, and limited ability to increase printing speed. These printers are primarily used in settings like banks and supermarkets where receipt printing is required. In home and office environments—especially among users who prioritize high print quality and speed—dot‑matrix printers fall short compared to inkjet printers.

2. Inkjet Printers: As a computer‑based printing technology, inkjet printers produce digital images by depositing tiny droplets of ink onto media such as paper or plastic. Although the underlying concept was first proposed in the 19th century, it was not until the late 1970s that inkjet printers capable of printing computer‑generated digital images were developed. Today, the inkjet printer market is dominated by four major manufacturers: Canon, HP, Epson, and Lexmark.

The standout advantages of inkjet printers are their high speed and high‑quality output, coupled with relatively low purchase prices and printing costs, making them highly popular in the office‑equipment market. A drawback, however, is that even when the ink cartridge appears empty, about 20% of the ink remains available for printing—yet the printer still signals that the cartridge is depleted. This necessitates weighing the trade‑off between efficient printing and the comparatively short lifespan of ink cartridges when making a selection. The dominant position of several major manufacturers in the inkjet‑printer market means consumers must carefully evaluate product features and their own needs before choosing.

3. Laser Printers: Laser printers occupy the high-end segment of the printing market, standing out for their speed, high quality, and relatively low cost. In particular, color laser printers deliver excellent performance, though at a higher price point. Nevertheless, as technology continues to advance and manufacturing processes mature, laser printer prices have become increasingly affordable. Although laser printers remain less accessible to ordinary households in the short term, they are gradually gaining traction in the mass market. Moreover, China has achieved significant progress in the independent research and development of laser printers, suggesting a very promising outlook for their future growth.

-- References --
[1] Sun Mengyun. The Historical Evolution and Contemporary Development of Printer Technology [D]. East China Normal University, 2014.