Definition: Typically, inkjet printing forms images by spraying tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. Small size and precision placement of the dots of ink produce very near photo-quality images.
Two primary inkjet technologies are thermal bubble or bubble jet and piezoelectric. The former uses heat and the latter uses a crystal and an electric charge to apply the ink.
Some inkjet printers employ a hybrid dye-sublimation process. The color is contained in cartridges, heated, vaporized, and laid down a strip at a time rather a page at a time creating an effect closer to continuous tone than traditional inkjet technology.
Also Known As: bubble jet | thermal ink
Alternate Spellings: ink jet (two words)
Examples: Currently, inkjet printing is the primary printer technology for home, home offices, and many small businesses. Inkjet printers are inexpensive and produce good color output but can be slow. Best results are normally achieved when printing to specially coated inkjet or photo papers.
