Thomas Alsop
Research expert covering the global hardware industry
Printers (hardcopy peripherals) - statistics & facts
A printer is a hardcopy peripheral that can create human-readable representations of graphics or text on paper or other physical media. In 2020, there were 94.36 million hardcopy peripheral units shipped worldwide, including printers, copiers, and multifunctional systems. While printers are now mostly used in computing and information technology, recent years have seen the development of 3D printing for industrial purposes.
By 1990, most simple printing tasks were conducted on personal computers and laser printers. By the following decade, high-quality printers with inkjet systems had also entered the market. In recent years, laser and inkjet printers have made up around ten percent and five percent of the entire market for computer peripherals, respectively. While personal printers are designed to support individual users on a single computer, networked or shared printers are designed for high-volume, high-speed printing.
Printer history
The first electronic printer was introduced to the market by Epson in 1968. The widespread demand for faster speeds for home printing would later lead to the development in 1984 of the first low-cost laser printer, the HP LaserJet, which is said to have set off a revolution in printing known as desktop publishing. HP Inc. continues to lead in the market for large-format printers worldwide.By 1990, most simple printing tasks were conducted on personal computers and laser printers. By the following decade, high-quality printers with inkjet systems had also entered the market. In recent years, laser and inkjet printers have made up around ten percent and five percent of the entire market for computer peripherals, respectively. While personal printers are designed to support individual users on a single computer, networked or shared printers are designed for high-volume, high-speed printing.
3D printing
The early 2010s also saw the emergence of additive manufacturing and the rise of 3D printing. Some of the leading sectors that employ additive manufacturing systems include the aerospace sector, producers of industrial and business machines, manufacturers of motor vehicles and consumer products, as well as for medical use, in academic institutions, and by the military. The 3D printing market continues to grow and is projected to reach a value of around 17.4 billion U.S. dollars by 2022, and 37.2 billion U.S. dollars by 2026.
