In current times, we don’t often see printers or typewriters that use printer ribbons anymore.  Dot matrix and impact printers are no longer in vogue and typewriters are rare.  Most printers used in homes and offices are often inkjets or deskjets that employ liquid ink cartridges rather than printer ribbons.  In large offices, laser printers are used that require a large toner.  However, there are still some legitimate reasons for dot matrix printers and other printers that use ribbons for printing.

Even if the impact printer is slowly fading from use, some computer users still rely on them as special use printers that work more efficiently with ribbon printer cartridges.  Some types of dot matrix printer still includes printers that also double as fax machines, point-of-sale checkout printers, and other similar devices. More often than not, this type of dot matrix printer uses thermal paper and/or thermal paper rolls and transfer printing technology. There are colored ribbon cartridges available for thermal printers, but the more commonly used ones are black.

In thermal transfer printing, ribbon cartridges are still used but they are different than other printer ribbons used on dot matrix printers.  They contain ink that is really thick and resembles the consistency of crayon wax.  This ink stays solid in room temperature, but melts when the thermal printing head heats up against it.  Heat sensitive thermal paper is put into the machine and while it is squeezed between the thermal head and the roller, the ribbon and paper heats up and transfers ink onto the paper.

When print quality is not an issue, dot matrix printers are usually more economical than inkjet, thermal or deskjet printers because printer ribbons are pretty cheap.  Dot matrix printers got their name from the tiny dots that print out to make up the finished product on the paper.  Pins that are located on the printer head that strike the paper create the dots.  However, an ink soaked piece of paper is in the way and forces ink onto the paper where the pin strikes.  This is how a printer ribbon works on an impact printer.

Many people claim that dot matrix printers are extremely reliable and very resilient.  They keep them in their office (or can still purchase them new) because of the low instance of problems.  They rarely jam and the ribbons can sometimes go years without needing to be replaced.  They can take being set in a grimy manufacturing plant or dirty and dusty workroom and still keep going strong.   Also, in the instance that a multi-part carbon copy form needs to be printed an impact printer is necessary so the type will go through onto the next pages.  For this reason, a dot matrix printer is necessary.  Printer ribbons are becoming increasingly hard to find for dot matrix printers.  Although, these printers are sturdy and can survive years of use, they cannot print without ribbons.  For this reason, it is a good idea to keep a good stock of printer ribbons for your printer.