A plotter is a type of printer that's different from dot matrix, inkjet, or laser printers. While most printers can't draw lines and edges with perfect accuracy, plotters can draw genuine lines with no interruption in the continuity of the marking. Dot matrix, inkjet, and laser printers draw lines by printing a closely spaced series of dots. A plotter uses a mechanical pen to draw the lines, instead of diffusing dots into a simulated line. This results in a smooth, unbroken line or curve with no jagged edges. For pictures with multiple colors, plotters utilize different-colored pens. The accuracy of plotters makes them ideal for demanding illustrations that require high detail. Hence, plotters are most often used for precision drawings, such as building drafts and engineering plans. The accuracy and precision of plotters is offset by their considerable cost, which far exceeds the cost of traditional home and office printers. Due to their cost, plotters are primarily used by design and construction professionals, such as architects, commercial graphic designers, and engineers, who require highly accurate and precise paper reproductions of the buildings and pictures they create on their computers. For more information about plotters, consult a computer professional.
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