Which Printer is Best for You

Today’s printer technology is remarkable, but the number of options available, increasingly affordable prices, and industry terminology can make choosing the right printer for your office a challenge. However, understanding exactly how you intend to use your printer will make your decision much easier. If you’ll soon be adding a printer to your fleet, the following can help you decide which is best for your business.

When Inkjet is Your Best Bet

• Brilliant color — If you plan to print photos, images, or other graphic-intensive materials, inkjet will give you unparalleled color accuracy and vibrancy. 

• Flexible application — Inkjets can produce great results on everything from photo paper to fabric and vinyl. If your business prints on diverse types of media, consider inkjet.

• Smaller footprint — In small businesses or cramped offices, space is at a premium. Fortunately, inkjet printers lend themselves to the small footprint necessary for desktops or shared work surfaces.

• Smaller volumes — The slower speeds of inkjet printers make them more suited to shorter documents and smaller print volumes. When to Land on Laser

• Top-notch text — For precision black-and-white printing, you can’t beat a laser printer. Even small font sizes render crisp, clear, and easy-to-read outputs.

• Fast print speeds — Whether you’re printing dozens of documents or a single page, laser print output is fast and efficient. This is especially true for duplex (two-sided) printing, which is quick and seamless on a laser unit.

• High volumes — From handouts and reports to direct mail and forms, laser printers can handle hundreds of pages with ease. Many offices rely on a monochrome laser printer as their primary “workhorse.”

Other Options to Consider

Multifunction — Laser printers are a particularly efficient choice when teamed with copy/scan/fax capabilities. Multifunction inkjets are also available, if you need to scan and print in color.

Duplex printing — Printing on both sides of a document is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Look for this option if you tend to print documents longer than 10 pages and want to up your sustainability efforts.

Connectivity — Wirelessly-connected printers are clutter-free and play nicely with laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Some printers can even be connected directly to the cloud. If you regularly work remotely, be sure you can connect to your printer from any and all of the devices in your arsenal. In selecting your next printer, your first step should be to think about how you intend to use it. Let that information guide your decision. With a wide variety of features and functions available, you’re sure to find a printer that will be more than a tool—it’ll be an asset.