Printing technology refers to the specific way in which a printer converts digital data into a physical printout. The main technologies include inkjet printing (suitable for colour images and photos), laser printing (fast and accurate printing of text and documents), thermal transfer and thermal sublimation printing (suitable for printing labels, industrial signage or photos) and direct thermal printing (e.g. receipts). The choice of technology affects the quality of output, the speed of printing and the cost of operation. Printers today are often tailored to specific requirements - from home use to professional deployment.
