Impact printers are a type of printing device that creates text and images by physically striking an inked ribbon against paper. This mechanism is similar to how a typewriter works, where each character is formed by a metal type hitting the paper. Common examples of impact printers include dot matrix printers and line printers, which are often used for printing multi-part forms and invoices. These printers are known for their durability and ability to produce carbon copies, making them useful in industrial and business settings. However, they are generally slower and produce lower-quality prints compared to modern non-impact printers like inkjet and laser printers.