printer overview how the printer works how the printer works The printer driver converts the page seen on the computer screen into a dot pattern described by a series of commands (a PCL or PS language file) which are relayed to the formatter of the printer. The commands include the style, size, and the type of graphics, the graphics placement, and color treatment.The formatter optimizes the commands for specific characteristics of the printer such as how many dots-per-inch the printer is capable of printing. The writing system then creates a rectangular array of pixels, called a raster image, based on these commands.
This image is then relayed to the marking engine of the printer, to be printed. The marking engine controls and coordinates the firing of the printhead nozzles, and the movement of the paper feed and carriage drive mechanisms.The paper feed system moves the paper through the printer, allowing the printheads to cover the entire page with ink. The printer uses the rollers of the pick mechanism to pick the page from the Input tray and transfer it to the converger, where it is properly aligned and then transfered to the linefeed system. The linefeed system moves the page forward as the Carriage drive mechanism support hp restricted 4-7