Printers and Plotters

There are many different types of printers and plotters. In general, a printer is smaller, normally outputting 8½ x 11" (Letter or ANSI A size), 8½ x 14" (Legal Size) or sometimes as large as 11 x 17" (Tabloid or ANSI B size).

Plotters are typically used to output larger sheets of paper such as 17 x 22" (ANSI C), 22 x 34" (ANSI D) or 34 x 44" (ANSI E).

Print Drivers

Print driver programs are interpreters between software programs and the printer. The drivers are usually created by the manufacturer of the printer and are typically updated regularly. Different drivers are used for different versions of Windows. It is useful to keep track of the drivers for each printer or plotter and update them whenever the Windows operating system is changed.

To find the version of your printer driver, select Start> Control Panel> Printers and Faxes to view the Printers information for Windows. Select the printer in question, then choose File> Properties.

In the Printer Properties dialog should be a button called About. Click this button to find the version and creation date of the driver currently in use. If you experience printing problems and yours is not the latest driver, consider replacing it with an updated driver. Visit your printer manufacturer's Web site for more information.

Windows provides information about installing print drivers. To access Windows help, select Start> Help. If you have problems installing a print driver, refer to your printer documentation for technical support.

Options available with one driver may not be available with another. Printers and plotters supported in one version of Windows may not be supported by the manufacturer in another.