Background
IBM 3800-3
The first AFP printer was the IBM 3800-3 delivered in 1983. It had a single, fixed
media origin or top, left-hand corner
as shown by the shaded rectangle in Figure Fixed Media Origins for the IBM 3800–3 Printer. Print data could be placed to print across, down, or up the page. Across and down
are shown. Page definitions, (pagedefs), were used to place the line data on the page.
IBM provided page definitions for common line spacings for both portrait and landscape
orientation. The two most common paper sizes used were 12" x 8.5" (shown on left)
and 9.5" x 11" (shown on right). As shown below different page definitions are required
to print the same output on the two different sizes of paper. For example an across
page definition is used to print landscape output on 12" x 8.5" paper and a down
page definition is used for landscape output on 9.5" x 11" paper. Forms, like 12"
x 8.5", that have a width greater than their length are referred to as wide continuous forms
and forms, like
9.5" x 11", that have a length greater than their width are called narrow continuous forms
.
Fixed Media Origins for the IBM 3800–3 Printer
IBM 3820
In 1985 the IBM 3820 was introduced. It was the first IBM AFP cut-sheet printer. Like
the 3800-3, it had a single, fixed media origin as shown. The 3820 could print in
the same directions as the 3800-3 plus one new direction, back
. As shown below it had similar print direction characteristics to a 3800-3 using
9.5" x 11" paper.