Dot Matrix and Character Printers are the two main classifications of Impact printer technology. A character printer is a computerized typewriter made up of a collection of bars which serve as the platform for letters and numbers. Such as typewriter, the right characters are hit to touch the ink ribbons which in turn pass on the characters to the paper. It can be used with speed but has limited uses. Computer printers with Dot matrix technology have a group of small pins needed to hit the ink coated ribbon to pass on the image to the paper.

A printer using the Non-Impact technology does not need contact with the paper to produce the desired image. An example of this is the usually used Inkjet printers and Laser printers. An inkjet printer straight sprays drop of inks into the paper while a laser printer is prepared with a toner, heat and static electricity to produce the image. Inkjet printers are used in almost all offices, business and many other establishments. The printed image coming from an inkjet printer has tiny dots that generally have a diameter of 50-60 microns.

Print head assembly, paper feed assembly, power supply, and interface ports are the parts making up a typical inkjet printer. The quality of the produced image in an inkjet printer is also dependent on the type of paper used. The brightness is determined by the smoothness of the paper's surface. Smooth surface reflect more light which makes the image brighter. Combination refers to the ability of the paper to take in the ink. Papers with good absorption capacity have images that will stay tight while poor absorption capacity can result in blotting.