Some questions to ask when selecting a printer
How many users will the printer have? Do you require WiFi or mobile printing? Is the printer for home or business use? Do you require copy, scan and fax functions? Do you want to print in black and white or in colour? What type of documents will you be printing? What paper sizes do you wish to print on? How much floor/desk space do you have? What is your budget? Printer prices are closely related to their speed and features.
By asking these questions, you will be able to determine which printer features to look out for. This information is visible in the specifications box under each printer.
How many users will the printer have? By determining in advance how many users the printer will have, you can choose the right network options. For example, WiFi or wireless connection is particularly useful if you are sharing the printer with family members, housemates or colleagues. Mobile printing is another great option for those who are sharing and offers additional benefits for those with a busy schedule.
A larger paper tray would be useful for several users, as it accommodates greater speed and efficiency. You can also buy separate paper trays to use with your printer if required.
Is the printer for home or business use? There are a number of useful features that are suitable for business environments with large daily volumes and many users. One such feature is the duplex feature that allows you to save paper and time, by printing on both sides of the paper, or the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) which will feed the paper automatically into the printer, saving valuable time.
If you are in an office setting or working from home, you are more likely to require a copy, scan or fax feature. If you are just looking to print only, then you can opt for a more basic model.
The PPM (Page Per Minute) refers to the number of pages the printer can print per minute. Inkjet printers usually have a PPM rate from 10 to 33 pages per minute, while laserjet printers tend to run faster with an average print speed of 20 pages per minute. (for black pages). A higher PPM rate would be a smart choice for a busy office environment where time is a valuable asset. If you are using the printer less frequently or are printing lower volumes, then you can afford to choose a printer with a lower PPM.
What type of documents will you be printing? The type of document you are looking to print, of course, plays an important role. If you intend to print colour documents or are looking to print images or photographs with the printer, then an inkjet printer would be the right choice. Different requirements are needed for printing large amounts of texts daily, as opposed to fewer, high-quality colour documents or images.
If you are printing images or documents that require finer or sharper detail, then a good feature to look out for is the DPI or print resolution . A higher DPI (Dots Per Inch) will yield greater quality results.
What paper sizes and paper weights do you wish to print on? The paper size required differs based on your needs. If you are looking to print in A3 size, for example, then you will need to opt for an A3 printer. This would be useful if you were printing, for example, promotional material. A3 printer paper is also frequently used in laser printers to output two A4 pages as a spread.
Another aspect to consider is the paper weight or paper thickness that the printer can handle. If you’re looking to print material with a paper weight of 250gsm or more, then you will need to choose a specialist printer that can accommodate these needs.
How much floor/desk space do you have? The amount of space that you have to place the printer is another factor to consider. There are plenty of compact printers that can be placed on desks or stored away easily when not in use. Larger freestanding laser printers are great for offices with plenty of space and contain added features for the office, designed to be more efficient and fast.
What is your budget? Finally, budget plays a big role in your decision. There are plenty of low-medium priced inkjet printers and affordable laser printers that are perfect for occasional printing needs. If, as aforementioned, the printing jobs require greater speed and efficiency, such as in business office environments with multiple users, then a higher budget would be required for additional features (A higher PPM, an ADF, a large paper tray are some examples).
