Non-Impact Printing - What is non-impact printing?

Definition of NON-IMPACT PRINTING:

Any method of printing that does not use the physical force of an impact to transfer a printing medium to the substrate. This term encompasses a variety of printing methods (new and old); much of the print work that used to be done using impact printing methods is now done using thermal printers (direct and transfer), inkjet printers, and laser printers, although the term also applies to other methods of printing such as electrostatic, ion deposition, xerography, letterpress, flexographic, lithographic, gravure, screen printing, and various methods of offset printing.

Generally speaking, these methods tend to transfer the printing medium onto a substrate through simple contact between an imaging device and the substrate or by depositing the printing medium onto the substrate, and controlling the placement of the printing medium through heat, pressure, static electricity, or water. Although they each have their own strengths and weaknesses, these methods of printing have replaced impact printing methods because of their ability to produce higher quality and higher resolution print results and being more flexible as to what they are capable of printing.

Here is the Harvard-style citation to use if you would like to reference this definition of the term non-impact printing:
Label Planet (2020) What is non-impact printing? | Non-Impact Printing Definition. Available at: https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/non-impact-printing/ (Accessed: January 1, 2024).