A
photocopier (also known as a
copier or
copy machine) is a
machine that makes
paper copies of documents and other visual images quickly and cheaply. Most current photocopiers use a technology called
xerography, a dry process that uses electrostatic charges on a light sensitive photoreceptor to first attract and then transfer toner particles (a powder) onto paper in the form of an image. Heat, pressure or a combination of both is then used to fuse the toner onto the paper. (Copiers can also use other technologies such as
ink jet, but xerography is standard for office copying.)