Ever wondered how a printer transfers the images or typing from you monitor to the paper, for a perfect end result every time?

Yes, I know you select print from the drop down list or hit ctrl+p key sequence when using Windows or an MS application, but the process that happens when the data is sent to the printer and the finished job appears in the tray.

No technical jargon here, just a straightforward explanation, and please take notes, there will be a test later.

By selectively heating printer paper which has been coated with chemical composition, commonly referred to as thermal paper, when the paper passes over the print head the coating will either turn black, or colored, depending on whether a color or black only printer, and will produce an image or a text document, or a combination of both.

There is another method that uses a heat sensitive ribbon as opposed to thermal (heat sensitive) paper, and is the reverse process of the one mentioned above.

There are four main components to a typical modern laser printer, a thermal head for generating the heat to transfer the toner onto the paper, and a set of rollers that feed the paper through evenly from the paper tray, through to the end product tray.

A sturdy spring to pressure the thermal head, and ensuring even contact with the heat sensitive paper, and all the electronic controller boards for converting your print request into a finished, perfect print job every time.

An electrical signal, controlled by the internal electronics set up, will pass to what is known as a heating resistor, which from the interpreted data sent by you to the printer, will generate a pre prescribed heat pattern. The heat activates a thermo (heat) sensitive layer in the paper and generates the print job. Perfect every time, unless there is an issue with paper feed or print head issues.

The electronic boards inside the printer are pre programmed to recognize data from sensors referring to the paper input size and thickness, and to "read" the numerous font sizes and types available for users in most word processor or other applications in use today.

Modern thermal paper, it is estimated, will retain an image or print without deteriorating for anything up to fifty years.

Only trouble there is, maybe I won't be around in fifty years to check the photos I have just printed up today.