ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses primarily on the characteristics of printer systems that have a significant impact on the visual quality of printed images. Characteristics such as the absorption spectrum of printing inks, the gamma of photoconductors, and satellite drops in inkjet are examples of system characteristics that impact image quality. The relationship between system characteristics of this kind and the ultimate quality of a printed image is of considerable practical importance, but it is not always easy to quantify the connection. The term
image quality
is used in many different ways, so before considering printers and printer characteristics, it is helpful first to consider the various ways the term image quality is used.
