Letter Quality (LQ)

Refers to print that has the same quality as that produced by a typewriter. Computer printers are sometimes divided into two classes: those that produce letter-quality type, such as laser, ink-jet, and daisy-wheel printers; and those that do not, including most dot-matrix printers.

The term letter quality is really something of a misnomer now, because laser printers produce print that is considerably better than that produced by a typewriter.

Many dot-matrix printers produce a high-quality print known as near letter quality. You have to look closely to see that the print is not really letter quality. A lower classification of print quality is called draft quality.