What is Drum Printer? An Overview

Published: 1 Feb 2025

Have you ever seen banks or big offices printing large stacks of documents in seconds? They often use a special type of printer called a drum printer. It works by rotating a large metal drum to transfer text onto paper at high speed. But how does it work, and why is it different from other printers? Let’s find out!

What is drum printer? Image of drum printer

Table of Content

What is Drum Printer?
How Does a Drum Printer Work?
Speed of drum printer
Uses of Drum Printer
Advantages and Disadvantages of Drum Printer
Difference between line printers and drum printers
Conclusion
Common Questions about Drum Printer

What is Drum Printer?

A drum printer is a type of impact printer that prints using a rotating metal drum. The drum has pre-formed characters on its surface. As the drum spins, a hammer strikes an ink ribbon against the paper, transferring the characters. This printing method allows for fast and high-volume printing. Although newer printers have replaced it, drum printers are still used in industries that need speed and durability.

How Does a Drum Printer Work?

A drum printer prints by rotating a metal drum with pre-formed characters. As the drum spins, hammers strike an ink ribbon to transfer text onto paper. This method prints quickly and efficiently. Many industries use drum printers for bulk printing. They handle large amounts of text at high speed.

Step-by-Step Working of a Drum Printer:

Rotates the Drum: The printer spins a cylindrical drum with fixed characters.
Feeds Paper and Ink Ribbon: It places paper and an ink ribbon between the drum and hammers.
Strikes the Paper: Hammers hit the paper and ink ribbon at the right moment. This impact forms characters on the paper.
Prints Quickly: The drum keeps spinning. Hammers print multiple characters at the same time.
Completes Full Lines: The printer prints one full line at a time. This makes it faster than traditional printers.

Speed of drum printer

Drum printers are known for their high-speed printing capabilities. They are designed to handle large volumes of printing in a short amount of time.

Printing Speed: Drum printers can print between 300 to 2000 lines per minute (LPM), depending on the model.
Measured in LPM: Speed is measured in lines per minute (LPM), indicating the number of lines printed in one minute.
High-Speed Performance: Ideal for bulk printing tasks in industries like banking, post offices, and factories.
Varied Speed: The speed can vary, with some models being faster than others based on design and specifications.
Modern Alternatives: Despite their speed, they have been largely replaced by faster laser and inkjet printers for everyday use.

Uses of Drum Printer

Drum printers are used when people need to print a large number of pages quickly. They are fast and can handle big printing jobs. Industries use them for printing tasks that require both speed and efficiency.

Banks

Banks use drum printers to print receipts, account details, and bank statements. They can print a large number of documents in a short time. This helps banks serve many customers quickly.

Post Offices

Post offices use drum printers to print large amounts of mail. They also print address labels, packages, and other mailing materials. The printer’s speed helps manage a huge amount of work.

Factories

Factories use drum printers to print production orders and lists. The printer can quickly print the details of items being made. This helps workers know exactly what to do and keeps production running smoothly.

Hospitals

Hospitals use drum printers to print patient records and medical forms. These printers are helpful when there is a need to print many documents fast, especially in emergency situations.

Airports

Airports use drum printers to print boarding passes and flight tickets for passengers. The speed of the drum printer helps serve a large number of passengers without delay.

Government Offices

Government offices use drum printers to print various forms, documents, and certificates. They can handle a lot of paperwork quickly, making work more efficient.

Libraries

Libraries use drum printers to print book records, overdue notices, and library cards. The printer’s high speed makes it easy to print many items at once.

Schools

Schools use drum printers for printing student reports, exam results, and attendance records. This helps schools keep track of a large amount of student information.

Supermarkets

Supermarkets use drum printers to print price tags and discount labels for items. The printers make it easy to print multiple tags at once, making work faster.

Shipping Companies

Shipping companies use drum printers to print shipping labels and tracking information. These printers help manage the large number of packages that need to be shipped daily.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Drum Printer

A drum printer is known for its speed and efficiency in printing large volumes of text. However, it has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages
Fast printing speed Durable and long-lasting Prints multiple lines at once Cost-effective for bulk printing High-speed output Reliable for large volumes Low maintenance Long-lasting drum Ideal for continuous printing Less power consumption

Disadvantages.
No color printing Noisy operation Limited resolution Bulky and heavy Expensive initial cost Limited paper handling Cannot print graphics Requires special ink ribbon Slower than modern printers for small jobs Hard to set up and configure

Difference between line printers and drum printers

Line printers and drum printers are both used for high-speed printing, but they differ in terms of design, performance, and cost. Choosing between the two depends on the specific printing needs. Below is a comparison of line printers and drum printers:

Features	Line printer	Drum printer
Printing Speed	Good for smaller jobs	Faster for large printing tasks
Mechanism	Simple hammer striking method	Rotating drum with pre-formed characters
Cost	Generally cheaper	More expensive initial cost
Maintenance	Easy to maintain	Requires more maintenance
Paper Handling	Limited	Limited, but works for bulk printing
Graphics Printing	Cannot print graphics	Cannot print graphics

Conclusion

So, guys, it’s time to finish up! In this guide, we’ve covered drum printers in detail. Drum printers help print a lot of pages quickly, but they can be expensive and need some care. If you print large amounts, it’s a good option. I suggest looking at your own needs before buying one. Be sure to explore our other beginner-friendly guides to help you choose the right printer!

Common Questions about Drum Printer

Here are some common FAQs about drum printers:

What is a drum printer used for?

A drum printer is used for high-speed printing, especially for large amounts of text. It works by printing many lines of text at once. It is commonly used in businesses or places that need to print a lot quickly.

What are the advantages of using a drum printer?

Drum printers are fast and efficient, making them great for printing many pages. They can handle large printing jobs without slowing down. They are also good for continuous printing tasks.

Are drum printers expensive?

Yes, drum printers are more expensive than regular printers. They are built for high-volume printing, which makes them cost more. However, they can be a good investment for businesses that need to print large amounts of text quickly.

Can a drum printer print pictures?

No, drum printers can only print text. They are not designed to print pictures or graphics. They are ideal for printing letters, numbers, and other simple characters.

What types of paper can be used with a drum printer?

Drum printers can handle a variety of paper types, but they are most commonly used with continuous paper rolls. They are designed for printing large amounts of text on special paper designed for high-speed printing.

Do drum printers require a lot of maintenance?

Yes, drum printers require more maintenance than regular printers. Since they are used for heavy-duty printing, the drum and other parts need to be cleaned and checked often. Regular maintenance ensures they work smoothly.

Are drum printers good for home use?

Drum printers are not ideal for home use. They are designed for large printing jobs in businesses. For home use, smaller printers like inkjet or laser printers are usually better choices.

How fast is a drum printer?

A drum printer is very fast, as it can print multiple lines at once. This makes it great for large printing tasks. It can print hundreds of pages quickly, which is much faster than other types of printers.