The Science and Technology behind Color Laser Copies

Printing and copying technology has come a long way since the dot matrix and daisy chain printers of the 70s and 80s. There are numerous technologies available today, such as laser printers and copiers that can make high quality laser color copies much more quickly and quietly than was possible with the older devices. This article will discuss the fascinating technology behind creating color laser copies and printed pages.

The main process of creating color laser copies involves imprinting the image that you are going to print on several electrically charged drums (a different drum for each color). The drums are positively charged and made out of a photo-conducting material that will lose its charge in places that are exposed to laser light. A laser is used to draw the image on the drums, which then pick up dry particles of toner, which adhere to the exposed areas via static electricity. The drum then rolls over the paper, depositing the toner particles. However, at this point, the toner is very loosely held on the paper, and would likely fall off before the color laser copies exit the machine. To this end, the final step in the creation of color laser copies is to pass the paper between two very hot rollers that melt the toner and bind it firmly to the paper. This is why color laser copies are quite warm to the touch when they exit the printer.

The physical principles behind the creation of color laser copies are complicated but interesting. Fortunately, the average user doesnt need to know all the technical details to enjoy the high quality and speed with which laser color copies can be created today!