Printers – Everything you should know before buying a printer
As more of the workforce work remotely there is an increasing demand for printers for home and office. Whether you want a printer with multi-functions, or you want something simple there are certain important factors you should consider before making a purchase.
Gone are the days when printers were enormous pieces of equipment, which many compartments and complicated settings. These days printers perform many functions including printing, scanning, and segmenting/collating.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A PRINTER
It is difficult to know where to start when choosing a printer, after all, you might only think you need it for printing documents, but then you need to consider factors such as speed, printing, scanning ability, and paper storage.
1. Speed
Depending on how much printing you will need to do, you should always try and pick a printer that has a high speed. Whether you are printing one sheet or 100, no one wants to be sitting around for printing to complete. The print speed is measured by PPM – pages per minute. Printers can vary from 5 PPM to 25 PPM.
2. Volume
Check the recommended volume level for the printer. Printers always come with a recommended volume level, if you are unlikely to print many documents then you can settle for a printer with a low volume level. If you need to print long documents then make sure the recommended volume level is high.
3. Duplex
Check to see if your printer has the option to print on both sides. Duplex printing is an important consideration as it can save you both time and money.
4. Paper
For anyone who is looking for a printer to use at home, printers with an A4 paper size is usually sufficient for their needs. However, if you are likely to be printing to large plans or specifications then make sure you buy a printer that enables you to change the paper size.
5. Stapling
Some printers come with finishing options which include stapling and hole punching. These options could save you a lot of time if you are printing lots of documents.
5. Ink
The two types of printers are inkjet and laser. Inkjet printers use ink for printing, and laser printers use lasers. A laser printer is best for someone who prints high-volumes of documents and wants a fast printer. If you do not need high definition prints, then a laser printer is fine for you. Inkjet printers are best for people who need more high-quality images and prints, these printers can be slower so are not best for large documents or print jobs.
6. Wireless
Wireless printers are becoming more popular as people come to expect all their devices and equipment to work without wires. For home offices, wireless printers are great because they do not involve masses of wires and plugs. Wireless printers can be convenient and accessible, as well as cost-effective. We are becoming more obsessed with connectivity, so always ask yourself whether you will be printing from different devices.
7. Print Quality
The quality of prints varies considerably depending on which printer you buy. For home users, quality is not the main concern, as they would want something practical and functional. But if you are running a business, then you would probably want to ensure that the print quality is top-notch. If you examine the DPI (dots per inch) of the printer, this should give you a good idea as to print quality. Inkjet printers can range from 600 x600 DPI to a whopping 4800 x 4800.
One of the main considerations for anyone looking for a printer is the budget. The cost of printers can be so varied, so it is important to consider carefully what your printing needs are and what your budget is. Cheap printers can cost less at the outset, but you could end up spending a lot on ink and maintenance over time. Similarly, some printers can cost a fortune in replacement cartridges.
Check what kind of ink cartridges are needed if you are buying an ink printer. Will the printer need inkwells, multiple cartridges for colours, or just black inkwells. Inkwells tend to be the most economical overall.