Things to Look for When Buying a New Printer

Last Updated on June 16, 2020 by Christian Ralph

Purchasing a new printer can be a daunting task, especially when you realise the sheer volume of amazing features that modern printers can bring to your business.

However, choosing a new machine doesn’t have to be as complicated as you may think. Once you’ve decided on the type of duties that you’ll need the device to carry out, you can start to assess which features are essential – and which you don’t really need.

We’ve shared how to choose a new printer, and the things to look out for when selecting your new model:

1. Small Businesses

Typically, small businesses require a printer that can print professional documents without costing a fortune to run. If this is what you’re looking for, you may need to find a printer with the following features:

Cheap Running Costs

Small businesses generally don’t have the finances available for an expensive printer. In this case, check that the running costs and price of printing consumables such as ink or toner cartridges are affordable. You may also want to find a low cost per page printer to help decrease the cost of printing essential documents.

Multifunction Machines

Considering a multifunction machine is a great idea for a small business with reasonable printing requirements and an additional need for faxing, scanning and copying paperwork. This type of machine can help to condense the running costs of each individual machine by combining their functions, and help to free-up space in a smaller office.

2. Large Businesses

Larger businesses are more likely to have a high printing capacity, so they may need additional features on their machine. In this case, you may need to look out for:

Fast Printing Speed

Because there may be more demand for a larger business to quickly produce printed copies, it’s likely that you’ll need to look at a machine with faster printing speeds. Check your prospective printer for a low second per page print.

High Capacity

It’s also likely that you’ll need a printer with high capacity. In this case, you will need to check that your new machine has a large sheet input tray to cope with multiple items being sent to the printer.

Connectivity Options

If your large business also has a large office, you may need to find a printer that has multiple connectivity options. Opting for a machine with both network and WiFi connections will allow multiple members of staff to connect to the printer.

3. Photo and Promotional Printing

It’s not uncommon for many businesses to create their own in-house promotional materials, and so you may be looking for a printer that creates high quality photo prints. You may want to check the following features if you’re looking for a printer to fulfil these requirements:

Printing Resolution

The most important thing when it comes to creating promotional materials is that the end result is high quality. Check the printing resolution, and consider selecting an inkjet printer that can clearly print photos with a high level of detail.

Media Size

You will also want to consider the media size that your printer can hold. An A3 inkjet printer gives you the option to print high quality photos of a larger size; ideal for creating professional posters and flyers.

4. Document Printing

If you’re looking to rely on a printer to only create copies of black and white documents, you can also consider the following features:

Double-Sided Printing

Unlike printers that are designed for printing photos, you can use an automatic duplex to ensure that your prints are double-sided. Along with reducing the amount of paper in use (which can save you money on consumables!), you can also rest assured knowing that you aren’t wasting materials.

Mono Printers

Because documents are usually printed in black and white only, you could also consider using a mono machine. These printers are often cheaper than their colour alternatives, and can help you to save money by not purchasing features that you won’t use.

If you’re still struggling to find the best printer for your own business’ needs, we’d be more than happy to help!