Empower yourself with the language of insiders. We decipher the arcane terms, epigrammatic abbreviations, and weird words used in the copy machines industry.
All-In-Ones
Devices, also known as multifunctional devices (MFDs), that perform more than one function in
a single unit, such as copying, faxing, scanning, and printing.
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
Allows you to copy documents without lifting the platen. Instead of placing each sheet individually
on the glass, you simply load a stack of originals into the feeder, press start, and let the
copier move each sheet on and off the platen. A feeder holds anywhere from one to
20 sheets at a time.
Bypass Tray
The short, straight-paper path of a bypass tray reduces the risk of jamming and allows you to
copy directly onto originals - such as colored paper, odd-sized paper, or card stock - that
either can't be fed or are inconvenient to feed from the traditional copy paper tray inside
a copier. Bypass trays can typically hold anywhere from one to 100 sheets. They are often used
in color copiers for printing onto covers or transparencies. (Bypass trays that can hold more
than one sheet are known as stackable bypass trays.)
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Catch Tray
Collects finished copies emerging from copy machines.
Consumables
The toner, paper, fuser oil, developer, or any other materials or parts that must be periodically
replaced in digital copiers.
Control Panel
Holds the buttons to control digital copiers functions. The newest copy machines have a control
panel in the form of an easy-to-follow LCD presentation, which guides you as you select variables
such as copy quantity, paper size, reduction, or enlargement.
Convenience Copying
Using a fax machine's scanning function to make a quick copy, as if you were sending a fax to
yourself.
Copier Counter
Keeps track of how many copies a machine has made. When the counter is not readily visible, it
can usually be found somewhere beneath the platen glass of the copier.
Copies Per Minute (CPM)
The number of 8 1/2 x 11 inch pages digital copiers can output per minute. Most color copiers
list four CPM speeds: black and white, one color, two-color, and four-color. Four-color speeds
are the slowest, typically ranging from 3 to 10 CPM except on high-end machines (which can
run as fast as 40 CPM).
Cost of Ownership
Costs, in addition to price, that determine the true cost of owning copy machines. These include
consumables such as paper and toner, as well as service contracts.
Desktop Copier
A Desktop Copier sits on a desktop or table, without requiring a stand. Desktop copiers usually Segment 1 and 2 copiers.
Digital Copying
A copying technology that breaks an image up into tiny rows and columns as a scanner does. In
contrast, analog copiers work more as a camera, using a lens to take a picture of the document
to be copied. All color copiers currently on the market are digital copiers.
Duplex Copying
The ability to automatically copy on both sides of a page. This can be a useful feature, but
it tends to be prone to paper jams. If you want duplex copying, equip the copier with a document
feeder called a recirculating automatic document feeder (RADF), which can handle two-sided
originals.
Editing Features
Allow a user to adjust how an image appears after copying. Many color copiers have extensive
editing features, enabling a user to move the image, change colors, or adjust colors to match
the original.
Electronic Recirculating Document Handler (ERDH)
Digital copiers that can perform the following functions: copy two-sided originals, handle originals
only once when making sets of copies, and electronically sort outputted copies. Also known
as a duplex digital document scanner.
Electronic Sorting
Each collated set is output horizontally, then vertically. This allows users to collate sets
of copies without buying sorter bins or being limited by their number.
First-Copy Speed
Shows how quickly copy machines can print the first page of a document. First-copy speed is a
good indicator of how fast the copier is for businesses using the machine on a walk-up basis,
since most people only copy one or two sheets at a time.
Four-Color Printing
Uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to create all colors of the spectrum. Also known as CMYK
printing. Virtually all color copiers use four-color printing.
Full Bleed
An image that runs right to the edge of a sheet. To create a full bleed, you typically must print
on a larger sheet and trim the page to size.
Ledger-Sized Paper
Measures 11 x 17 inches.
Legal-Sized Paper
Measures 8 1/2 x 14 inches.
Letter-Sized Paper
Measures 8 1/2 x 11 inches.
Maximum Monthly Volume
The maximum number of pages copy machines designed to make each month. Manufacturers tend to
grossly inflate the monthly volume figures, with few copiers ever hitting their monthly maximum
in real usage.
Memory
A hardware component that stores data such as scanned pages. Digital copiers require memory to
perform certain functions, such as scanning documents, utilizing scan once/print many, or faxing.
Different functions require different amounts of memory.
Monochrome Copiers
Black and white copiers.
Moving Platen
The lowest-end desktop copiers sometimes have moving platens, meaning the top of the copier moves
back and forth across the document to be copied.
Multifunctional Device (MFD)
Performs one other function in addition to faxing and convenience copying - often copying or
scanning, or printing. Also known as an all-in-one.
OHC Mode
Allows color copiers to reproduce onto transparencies. OHC mode typically runs slower than regular
color copying to give the toner time to fuse to the plastic sheets.
Paper Supply
Sets of trays and holders that enable a copier to copy onto different sizes or types of paper.
PC Copier Segment
Includes copiers with speeds between one and 12 copies per minute and copy volumes of up to 1,000
copies per month.
Platen
The glass area on which you place original documents to be copied. Sometimes also used in reference
to the cover that opens and shuts over the platen glass.
Proportional Zoom
Shrinks or enlarges the length and width of a given page independently of each other. This helps
reduce the white space that often surrounds copies of reduced pages. Also known as independent
x and y axis zoom or anamorphic zoom.
Raster Image Processor (RIP)
Used to attach a color copier to a computer network, a RIP converts color files into printing
instructions for the copier. Also known as a color server or print controller.
Recirculating Automatic Document Feeder (RADF)
An automatic document feeder that can flip the original document over to copy its backside. If
you only have an automatic document feeder (ADF), you can copy a two-sided document, but the
copies will be on two different sheets of paper.
Reduction/Enlargement
Many lower-end copiers have preset settings for reduction and enlargement of copies. Higher-end
copiers allow you to zoom in as closely or as far out as you want.
Remote Diagnostics
A system that connects to your phone line and automatically calls the dealer if a problem arises.
Such a system can speed repair time and help ensure that maintenance schedules are accurately
followed.
Scan Once/Print Many
The ability to produce copies from scanned images held in memory. This feature saves on unnecessary
handling of original documents and allows users to leave the copier, originals in hand, while
the job is being completed. Not available with all digital copiers.
Segment 1 Copiers
Includes copiers with speeds between 13-20 copies per minute and copy volumes of up to 10,000-12,000
copies per month.
Segment 2 Copiers
Includes copiers with speeds between 21-30 copies per minute and copy volumes of up to 25,000-30,000
copies per month.
Service Contract
The agreement with a dealer selling you a copier (or even with a third party) that outlines arrangements
for repair and routine service for the copier.
Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM)
A type of memory used in some copiers that is based on a standard design. Industry-standard memory
is less expensive than proprietary designs.
Sorter
A series of horizontal bins near the output tray of a copier. The bins move up and down the side
of the copier to collate pages in the order that they are outputted from the machine. Some
sorters, called sorter/staplers, can also automatically staple the finished documents.
Stackless Duplexing
A type of duplexing (making two-sided copies) that keeps the original document as an image in
memory rather than physically in a tray. Instead of keeping a stack of one-sided copies until
the copier is ready to copy on to their second sides, stackless duplexing lets you make as
many duplex copies as you want, without being limited to the number of sheets a duplexing tray
can hold at a time. Also known as trayless duplexing.
Stationary Platen
All but the most basic PC-segment copiers are equipped with a stationary platen, meaning the
top of the copier doesn't move back and forth across the document to be copied.
Warm-Up Time
The amount of time after a copier is turned on before it can begin the first copying job. This
time isn't really an issue for lower-end machines, but usually increases for larger models.
Yield
The number of copies a particular consumable (toner, developer) can support. The yield for toner
can be calculated by estimating the number of copies you make a month, and the amount of coverage
per page.
Zoom
Reduces or enlarges copies within a certain range, such as from 50 percent to 200 percent. Digital
copiers can zoom as high as 400 percent to 800 percent and shrink as low as 25 percent.
