Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
laser printer
References
Images
Diagram of a computer laser printer showing the printing process: a laser beam creates an image on a rotating drum, attracting toner particles, which are then transferred and fused onto paper as it moves through rollers. Key components and steps are labeled. Document imaging
Britannica AI Icon

laser printer

device
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  EncyclopƦdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Diagram of a computer laser printer showing the printing process: a laser beam creates an image on a rotating drum, attracting toner particles, which are then transferred and fused onto paper as it moves through rollers. Key components and steps are labeled.
Laser printer Such printers use beams of light to etch patterns onto a cylindrical drum, which rotates to transfer the patterns to paper.

A laser printer is a high-resolution device that uses a laser beam to attract toner to paper, creating an image. This technology is a type of non-impact printer, meaning it doesn't physically strike the paper. Instead, it xerographically prints an image formed by the laser. Laser printers were first used in 1979 and are known for producing durable prints that resist fading. They are an important advancement in computer output technology, offering a way to transfer text and images from a computer to paper.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
4 Britannica Sources
  1. printer
  2. laser printer
  3. laser - History
  4. laser print

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.