Choosing the right printer for your needs can be a tricky proposition. You don’t want a bargain-basement model that can’t handle your load. You also don’t want to splurge on a fancy “does it all” model when you need to print a few pages now and again. Learn about factors to consider when purchasing a printer and how to make the right choice for your needs.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Printer
When purchasing a printer, the first question to ask yourself is, “What are my needs?” Generally, you should consider:
● Business vs. personal use
● Technical factors
● Size and speed
● Ease of use
● Economic factors
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Business vs. Personal Use
Whether printing for business or personal use is a huge factor when choosing a printer. Businesses need a lot more capabilities than people printing at home. Do you need to print high-quality imagery for business presentations? People like photographers and fine art vendors need printers that can handle at least 1200 dpi.
At Home users who print a web page now and again are able to get away with a standard 300-dpi model. Some home users can also get by with a basic monochrome printer. Inkjets however are so inexpensive these days that quality color isn’t a huge splurge. With the right tools and maintenance, these simple printers can last a long time too.
Do you need a printer that can handle various media? You can find printers that run on everything from plain paper to T-shirts, vinyl decals, and DVDs.
Technical Factors
Next up are technical factors and specs. These cover color density, ink droplets, and ICC printer profiles that may or may not matter to you. Here’s a hint: If you don’t know what these are, they probably won’t matter to you. Connectivity, however, may be a factor. Will your printer need to be on your Wi-Fi network to be accessible by the whole house (or business)?
Duplexing is another technical issue to keep in mind. Do you need to print on both sides of the paper? If so, you don’t want a manual duplexer that requires you to hand-flip documents to print on the back. Finally, ease of use is something every user should consider, no matter their needs. If you can’t figure out how to use the functions, your printer is worthless to you.
Size and Speed
Printer size and speed are always a factor. How much room do you have? Do you do a lot of heavy printing? Look at the space available for a printer and consider the work needed from the printer. Consider an industrial printer with a high page-per-minute rating if you’re planning to use it alot. Many home users can get by with slower models and save a good amount of money.
Economic and Ownership Costs
Finally, consider the economic and ownership costs of the printer. These include the price to purchase it, the cost of ink and supplies, cleaning requirements, the warranty, tech support, and similar factors.
Printers can be found with a wide variety of features and options so there are a lot of things to consider when purchasing one. If you are still unsure and need help, contact a professional at Vegas Ink and Toner for help with printers, ink, and toner!
