What unusual form of paper did dot matrix printers use?

mctavish99

Dot matrix printers moved the paper by means of sprocket wheels at the sides, rather than the rollers that are used today. It was something like the way movie film moved through a projector (for those old enough to remember.) The paper came with holes down the side to match the sprockets. The side pieces with the holes were perforated and would be torn off when printing was complete. The paper also came in rolls, and was separated into individual pages after printing - perforations again. Another feature of the paper rolls was the availability of double or triple paper (something like multi-ply toilet paper) with carbon paper between layers, for printing invoices and the like in duplicate or triplicate. Here's what it looked like http://onceuponawin.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/win-pics-dot-matrix-paper.jpg Jun 12 09, 5:36 AM

Watchkeeper

When I was teaching I used to collect the torn-off pieces with the holes and sell them on to the manufacturer of Polo mints (Life Savers in the US). Well, that's what I told the kids ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Polo_mints_2006-01-03.JPG Jun 12 09, 4:20 PM

looney_tunes

Not just dot matrix printers - I used to use a bubblejet printer that had track-feed paper that fed through it. Flexible in use - paper could be A3 as well as A4, and single sheets could be hand-fed. I never saw another type of printer at my workplace until they introduced the first laser printers! Track feed paper is still available, and those hardy old printers are probably still running in back rooms around the world. http://www.made-in-china.com/trade-offers/offerviewdMbnHjsglQcX/1-Printing-Ncr-Track-Feed-Forms-Carbonless-Paper-Form.html Jun 12 09, 10:50 PM