Characters Per Inch (cpi)
A measurement that indicates the width of printed characters. The usual pitch is 10-12 cpi.

Characters Per Second (cps)
The number of characters a printer can print per second. Low-cost models operate at 200-300 cps, while faster models operate at more than 1,000 cps.

Continuous Paper
Paper that comes in a folded stack of perforated pages with tractor-feed holes on each side. In most cases, the tractor feed strips are also perforated for easy removal. Also known as fanfold paper or computer printout (cpo).

Cut-Sheet Feeders
A printer accessory that automatically feeds regular sheets of paper into a machine. Machines without a cut-sheet feeder can usually accept plain paper, but require that sheets be fed one page at a time.

Draft Mode
A printing feature that allows for faster printing by using fewer pins to create each character on a page.

Lines Per Minute (lpm)
A measurement of the speed, or throughput, of a dot matrix printer.

Tractor Feed
A guide used to draw paper through the printer mechanism by matching holes in the paper with spokes on the feeder.

Unidirectional Printing
A type of printing in which every line is printed from left to right. This means that no printing occurs as the printhead returns from right to left. Bi-directional printers print in both directions, which results in faster printing but sometimes lower quality.