Copy machines | Industry lingo

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.)

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.

There's more to learn about digital photocopiers than just terminology! Read our Office Copiers Buyer's Guide for detailed advice that takes you through every stage of the purchasing process.

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