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Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Printer

Last Updated on April 14, 2021 by Christian Ralph

At times, office machinery decides to malfunction. Although many printer manufacturers offer warranties that cover some common problems, some devices may be damaged beyond repair, leading to the purchase of a new machine.

However, selecting a new printer model is a little trickier than finding the updated version of your current device. To get the most out of your business printer, you’ll need to think about your requirements as well as its suitability for your working environment.

In this guide, we’ve shared five things that you should consider when buying a new printer for your business:

Budget

The most obvious thing to think about is the amount of money you’re able to spend on a new printer. Remember that although some models are expensive, you may not need to spend as much as you think to get a high-quality machine.

Consider what type of paper-related tasks you regularly complete within the office. If you’ve got a high requirement for scanning or faxing documents, you may want to consider a multifunction printer to handle many jobs within one machine.

Image credit: iStockPhoto.com /Africalimages (via Custard Online Marketing Ltd)

Image credit: iStockPhoto.com /Africalimages (via Custard Online Marketing Ltd)

Running costs

After your initial purchase of the machine, you’ve got to consider how much you’re able to spend the device’s upkeep. Certain models, especially HP printers, have cheaper cost per pages than others, so keep this in mind.

The environment

Remember that if you’re planning to use the printer over a long period, there are ways to save money on printer consumables such as buying genuine manufacturer cartridges, and opting for mono printing.

Some manufacturers have introduced their own initiatives for sustainability. For example, all Epson printers’ products are designed to comply with an ecologically sustainable lifecycle allowing your company to care for the environment and meet any sustainability targets you might have.

Available space

You may also want to think about the amount of available space within your working environment. Considering that printers will need to be connected to a plug socket, you should plan where the device is going to sit within the room.

By purchasing a Lexmark UK multifunction printer such as the Lexmark X925dxe, you will save space in your office as it can scan, fax, copy and print. However, the model you have in mind for your office may not suit the space you have available, so be sure to measure the space to avoid disappointment on delivery.

Image credit: iStockPhoto.com /AndreyPopov (via Custard Online Marketing Ltd)

Image credit: iStockPhoto.com /AndreyPopov (via Custard Online Marketing Ltd)

Functions

You should always consider what you’re planning to use your printer for before you buy. If you know you’ll need to carry out other tasks besides printing, it might be worth spending a bit more on a multifunction printer. A very low-cost printer is usually inexpensive for a reason, often lacking the features, print speed and build quality of more expensive models such as professional Xerox printers.

Do you need a printer or a device which can perform many functions? Does your business require you to print in colour or mono? By thinking of these questions before purchasing a business printer, you’ll avoid the risk of being forced to upgrade the model in the near-future.

Warranties

When something goes wrong with your office equipment, it can have a major impact on the productivity of your staff and your customer service. Even though printers are built to last years, faults do occasionally occur.

For that reason, the final thing you should consider before purchasing a new business printer is the warranty that each model comes with. Depending on the manufacturer, machines may come with one or two-year warranties. There may also be an online contact system to discuss any faults with your device, such as Samsung printer support.

Remember that wherever possible, you shouldn’t make any adaptations to your model. Any DIY repairs or modifications can void your warranty.

As you can see, a lot of thought is needed when you decide to purchase a new business printer. If you’d like some assistance or would love to learn more about the models we’d recommend for your requirements, get in touch with our team today.