There are two main types of printers: impact printers and non-impact printers. Impact printers work like typewriters using mechanisms to strike ink onto paper, while non-impact printers like inkjet printers use nozzles to spray ink without touching the paper. The document discusses the different types of printers such as dot matrix, daisy wheel, line, inkjet, laser, and thermal printers and provides comparisons of their advantages and disadvantages related to factors like printing speed, quality, cost, size, and noise.