With a seemingly infinite array of options available, choosing a printer for your office can become overwhelming. Every month, new and improved devices become available, and you know that making a smart choice can save you money and give you more bang for your buck. To make your task easier, we’ve put together a few ideas for you to consider when picking your next printer.
Printing Needs — To print forms and spreadsheets, a monochrome (black and white) laser printer is a great choice, providing you speed and quality at a reasonable cost. If you expect to print marketing collateral and direct mail pieces, color laser is your most efficient option. For photographs and prints, a color inkjet will give you the stunning results you’re looking for.
Functions and Footprint — What other office needs do you have? Can you consolidate functions and eliminate old machines? If so, it may be ideal for you to move to a multifunction printer (MFP) that can print, copy, scan, and fax—all within a single footprint. If space is at a premium in your office and you’re in need of a compact device that takes up less space, a desktop printer is a better choice for you.
Capabilities and Capacity — To choose a printer that can handle your print load, estimate your duty cycle (monthly usage) and daily printing needs before buying or leasing. If you’ll be printing just a couple of letters a day, print speed isn’t a huge factor for you. However, if you’ll be printing long documents or dozens of copies, look for a pages-per-minute (ppm) rating of at least 40ppm. Don’t forget to consider how many people will be sharing the printer—you’ll want a machine that can handle your anticipated volume and frequency.
Other Features — Once you have the basics decided, think about other features that will be valuable to you as well. Is wireless, cloud, or mobile printing a priority? Do you need double-sided printing? How about paper handling features? Depending on your needs, you can select a printer that does everything for you, from folding to stapling.
Choosing a new printer for your office doesn’t have to be an ordeal—just take the time to think about how you intend to use your printer and make a list of important features to help guide you. With the many options available today, you’re sure to find the right printer that will help your business excel. To get a personalized recommendation, or for help determining which printer features can give your company the best ROI, contact Golden Gate Office Solutions today.
