Printer Types and Technologies - INI

[item.inkjet]
code=01
slug=inkjet
name=Inkjet Printer
description=A printing method that sprays liquid ink. Excellent for photo printing and widely used for home applications.
bestFor=["Photo printing","Home document printing","Colorful materials creation","Small offices","Low monthly print volumes"]
colorCapability=excellent
cons=["Slower print speed","High running costs for large volumes","Dye ink smudges easily","Prints vulnerable to moisture (dye ink)","Risk of print head clogging"]
costLevel_initial=low
costLevel_running=medium-high
printSpeed=slow
pros=["Relatively low initial cost","Excellent color reproduction for photos","Low power consumption","Compact and space-saving","Quiet operation"]
technology=Liquid ink喷射 technology

[item.laser]
code=02
slug=laser
name=Laser Printer
description=Creates an image on a drum with a laser and transfers toner for printing. Ideal for high-speed, high-quality document printing.
bestFor=["Office document printing","High-volume printing","Monochrome documents","Reports and materials","High monthly print volumes"]
colorCapability=good
cons=["High purchase price","Poor fine color reproduction","High power consumption","Large footprint","Warm-up time required","Color models especially expensive"]
costLevel_initial=high
costLevel_running=low
printSpeed=fast
pros=["High print speed","Low running costs for large volumes","High text sharpness","Good print durability","Clean output with minimal smudging","Low maintenance frequency"]
technology=Electrophotographic technology (laser + toner)

[item.dot-matrix]
code=03
slug=dot-matrix
name=Dot Matrix Printer
description=A printing method using pins striking an ink ribbon to print with dots. Suitable for multi-part form printing.
bestFor=["Multi-part delivery forms","Continuous form paper printing","Harsh environments like factories and warehouses","Receipt printing","Bank passbook entry"]
colorCapability=none
cons=["Slow print speed","Loud operation noise","Coarse print quality","No color printing (basically)","Low resolution","Not suitable for home use"]
costLevel_initial=low
costLevel_running=low
printSpeed=slow
pros=["Can print on multi-part forms","Supports continuous form paper","Simple and robust structure","Low running costs","Only requires ribbon replacement","Can print on special paper"]
technology=Impact technology (pin striking)

[item.thermal-direct]
code=04
slug=thermal-direct
name=Direct Thermal Printer
description=A method that applies heat directly to thermal paper to develop color. Suitable for receipts and short-term use labels.
bestFor=["POS receipts","Shipping labels (short-term)","Event tickets","Parking tickets","Fast food order slips","Temporary identification tags"]
colorCapability=limited
cons=["Prints vulnerable to heat and light","Fades over time","Short storage life (about 3-5 years)","Difficult color printing","Requires thermal paper only","Not suitable for long-term storage"]
costLevel_initial=low
costLevel_running=low
printSpeed=fast
pros=["No consumables needed (thermal paper only)","Low running costs","Simple structure with low failure rate","Compact and space-saving","Easy maintenance","Fast and quiet printing"]
technology=Thermal color development technology

[item.thermal-transfer]
code=05
slug=thermal-transfer
name=Thermal Transfer Printer
description=A method that melts/sublimates ink from a ribbon with heat and transfers it to paper. Suitable for durable label printing.
bestFor=["Product labels","Asset management labels","ID cards and membership cards","Medical wristbands","Warehouse shelf labels","Outdoor stickers and labels"]
colorCapability=good
cons=["Requires ink ribbon","Somewhat high running costs","Larger device size","Ribbon replacement required","More complex structure than thermal"]
costLevel_initial=medium
costLevel_running=medium
printSpeed=medium
pros=["High print durability","Excellent weather and water resistance","Can print on various media","Suitable for long-term storage","Color printing possible","Sharp barcodes and fine text"]
technology=Thermal transfer technology (ribbon-based)

[item.3d-printer]
code=06
slug=3d-printer
name=3D Printer
description=A method that stacks materials like resin or metal to create three-dimensional objects. Used for prototyping and custom part manufacturing.
bestFor=["Product prototyping","Custom part manufacturing","Medical implants","Architectural models","Educational materials","Artworks","Dioramas and figures"]
colorCapability=limited
cons=["Slow build time","Surface finish may be coarse","High material costs","Not suitable for large products","Limited build size","Requires dedicated 3D data"]
costLevel_initial=medium-high
costLevel_running=medium
printSpeed=slow
pros=["Can produce complex shapes","Small batch production without molds","Easy design changes","Minimal material waste","Supports customization","Shortens prototyping time"]
technology=Additive manufacturing technology (FDM/SLA/SLS, etc.)

[item.sublimation]
code=07
slug=sublimation
name=Dye-Sublimation Printer
description=A method that sublimates solid dye with heat and transfers it to paper. Suitable for high-quality photo printing.
bestFor=["Professional-quality photo printing","ID photos","Postcards","Commemorative photos","Display panels"]
colorCapability=excellent
cons=["Requires specialized paper and ribbon","High running costs","Limited print sizes","Not suitable for document printing","High equipment price"]
costLevel_initial=high
costLevel_running=high
printSpeed=slow
pros=["Very high photo quality","Smooth gradation expression","Glossy finish","Excellent light resistance","Waterproof"]
technology=Dye-sublimation transfer technology