Output Hardware ( Printers )

Printer - skills

When working with a printer there are many skills you need to be "printer competent". Once a printer has been correctly connected, and the proper drivers installed for your software, you will need basic skills to operate it.
These include; changing Paper , setting/changing form length , changing an ink cartridge, changing mode

For your printer these are outlined in the manual that should have been supplied with your printer.

Changing Paper

Cut Sheet
Ensure 'correct side' printed on (photocopy paper has a right side and wrong side for printing) This will improve print quality

Continuous
Ensure top of form is set once paper is loaded.

Setting/changing form length

May be set with 'dip switches' inside the printer.
Watch for bottom margin settings, this may cause a blank page to be ejected when printing documents that require a full page, where first the printer, then the Software send a form feed command!

Changing an ink cartridge.

Ink-jet
Once ink has run out cartridges are usually thrown out
Jets may become blocked. There is usually a procedure for unblocking them (refer to your manual).

Ribbon
Once ribbon has faded, they may be re-inked or thrown out

Toner Cartridge
Once toner has run out cartridges are usually thrown out (may be refilled though many manufacturers do not recommend or guarantee their printers!)

Changing Mode.

Quality
Draft mode - high speed/fewer dots printed giving a lighter text.
Letter Quality - slow speed with the maximum number of dots printable by this printer for characters. Sometimes referred to as NLQ (Near Letter Quality) on a dot matrix printer.

Font
Type of print eg. Times Roman, Courier, Helvitica