Photocopier A photocopier (also known as a copier or copy machine, and formerly known as a Xerox machine) is a machine that swiftly and inexpensively copies documents and other visual images onto paper or plastic film. Xerography is a dry process that uses electrostatic charges on a light-sensitive photoreceptor to attract and then transfer toner particles (a powder) onto paper in the shape of an image in most current photocopiers. Heat, pressure, or a combination of both are used to fuse the toner to the paper. Other technologies, such as inkjet, can be used by copiers, but xerography is the industry standard for office copying. Xerox debuted commercial xerographic office photocopying in 1959, progressively replacing Verifax, Photostat, carbon paper, mimeograph machines, and other duplicating devices. In the commercial, education, and government sectors, photocopying is frequently employed. Photocopiers are still commonly used in 2015, despite forecasts that they will become obsolete