How to Choose the Right Printer for Your Business

It's now possible to find a printer for less than the cost of a replacement ink cartridge, but that doesn't mean you're going to get a printer that meets your needs. Printers have undergone rapid technological development, and it's now possible to buy specially designed printers depending on the type of printing you need. There are printers in all shapes, sizes and abilities. Before you invest in a printer, evaluate your needs to ensure you get the right printer for your home or business.

Getting Started With Printers

Everybody knows what a printer is and its basic function, but there are some additional criteria to consider when purchasing a printer. You can spend several thousand dollars on a state-of-the-art printer, and still not get the features you need. It's important to evaluate your needs, explore the available options and decide on the options that are most important to you before you go out to get your printer.

The Types of Printers

Printers can be divided up into several smaller categories. Laser, inkjet, multimedia, photo and portable printers are the main types of printers available. In some cases, it makes sense to purchase more than one type of printer if you have special printing needs. More expensive printers tend to have higher quality colors, better resolution and higher print speeds.

Laser Printers

• Laser printers have fast print speeds, sharp output and provide a low cost-per-page.
• Black and white as well as color printers are available.
• Cheaper models may not print in true black, but usually, only a professional can tell the difference.

Inkjet Printers

• Inkjet printers are affordable, but the high cost of ink can make them more expensive than a laser printer for high-output applications.
• Prints in black and white, as well as color.
• High-resolution options are available, but the print speed is generally slower and less precise than a laser printer.

Multimedia Printers

• Also known as an all-in-one printer, a multifunction printer can print, fax, copy and scan documents.
• Perfect for an office setting that requires a lot of functionality.
• May come in a standard inkjet or laser type of printer.
• Usually provides an option to insert SD cards from cameras or a USB port to access pictures on a thumb drive.

Photo Printers

• High-resolution printers that are designed to be used with photo paper.
• Higher quality printers use more than the basic cyan, magenta, yellow and black cartridges for true color.
• Typically have the ability to print directly from a digital camera.
• Options exist for inkjet-based or dye sublimation to transfer images. Dye sublimation provides a better quality image in most cases and transfers the color from a ribbon to the paper with a clear protective coating on top.

Portable Printers

• Generally not high resolution.
• Provides the convenience of portability.
• Lightweight design make them ideal for taking on the road.

Printer Features to Look For

Before you go out looking for a printers, there are a few key specs that you need to look for. These features are the most commonly found options in your typical printer. Understanding what to look for can make the process of deciding on a printer a simpler task.

• Resolution: The resolution of the printer indicates how well a printer can reproduce an image. Resolution is important in photo printers and when you need to print high-quality photos. Higher numbers are better when it comes to resolution.
• Print Speed: A printer with a high print speed can drastically cut down the amount of time you need to wait for the printer to finish a project. Print speeds are measured in PPM, which stands for page-per-minute.
• Processor and Memory: The processor and memory capabilities of the printer really only matter if you're printer large photo projects and won't have much of an effect on the printing of text documents.
• Paper Handling: Not all printers can accept the same types of paper. Paper handling refers to the size, thickness and types of paper that can be accepted by the printer.
• Connectivity: This option might not matter too much for most users. Many printers have USB connectors, while others can connect to a network, or even use a wireless network to work with all computers in your house or business.

The Brand Names in Printers

The most popular printer brand names include Samsung, Canon, Lexmark, HP, Xerox and Epson. Each of these manufactures creates a variety of printers suitable for use in home and business applications. \

Printer Shopping Tips

• Most printers accept envelopes, legal-sized, standard and have input trays that can hold at least 100 sheets of paper.
• More memory and a fast processor can make the process of printing graphics go a bit faster.

When choosing an inkjet printer or laser printer, check the cost of cartridges to get an estimate of how much you're going to pay on ink or toner. Sometimes a more expensive printer uses a more efficient cartridge and can save you money in the long term.