What are the characteristics features of impact printers?

Impact printers are characterized by their use of physical force to transfer ink onto paper, typically using a print head that strikes an ink ribbon against the paper. This mechanism allows for the creation of distinct characters and images, making them suitable for multi-part forms and carbon-copy printing. They are generally less expensive and more durable than non-impact printers, but tend to be slower and noisier. Additionally, impact printers often produce lower-quality prints compared to modern inkjet and laser printers.