Regardless of your profession, everyone needs a printer. From fashion designers to banking specialists, a printer is the sole of an organization, and it is one of the only devices that keep your workflow in check. However, there are thousands of printers available on the market from over 100+ brands. Among those printers, it is essential to narrow down our needs and understand why we are purchasing a particular printer. In that regard, here are six things you need to consider when buying a printer in 2021. Let’s look at these things and figure out what would be the best printer for you.
Budget
There is no rocket science to understand why we need to understand your budget while purchasing a printer. You can buy an Inkjet printer for $100 and $1000, but it is essential to know how to decide your printer budget. Check out these three points to get better clarity while selecting your printer budget.
? How many people would be using the printer?
? What other functions you expect from the printer. Like copying, scanning, and fax.
? What brands you are going for. Not every expensive printer is worth the price.
You can create your budget based on these three identifiers. If you want a printer for your office, then investing extra bucks will help you in the long run. Similarly, if you are searching for school-home color printers, your budget should not exceed $100. Likewise, you can narrow down your needs and select the printer that works best for you.
Printer running cost
A printer running cost is the price you have to pay after you purchase the printer. This price may or may not include ink cartridges, service, and upgrades, etc. Buying a printer without understanding its running cost is like purchasing a vehicle without understanding its fuel capacity. Here are three things you can check for making better decisions while buying a printer.
? Understand the cost per page, and make sure it’s less than 5 to 8 cents for B/W and between 12 and 15 cents for color.
? Make sure to check the service charge for the printer. In some cases, companies charge $100 for a local inspection.
? Select the printer based on the paper type. A local printer can help you save money but gives you poor-quality prints. Similarly, an expensive printer gives you better prints, but the sheets can go up high as 10-cents per sheet.
Dimensions of the printer
One of the most overlooked factors while purchasing a printer is its size. Most people overlook the printer’s size entirely, and later they can’t fit the printer in their homes. You may also need to consider the printer’s size as a small office won’t be able to fit an all-in-one printer. Before purchasing a printer, make sure you have enough space in your home and office.
Ink Capacity
Another factor that you need to consider while purchasing a printer is the ink capacity. Because it plays a crucial role in the printer’s overall running cost. A printer with a higher ink capacity can save you many bucks, while a printer with low ink capacity can increase the running costs. Either way, you can streamline your requirement and budget to select a printer that works best for you. If you want to reduce the running costs, then EcoTank printers would be the best option.
Printing Speeds
Printing speeds make a considerable difference in the workflow of an office. If there are more than ten employees in an office, you might want to invest a little more because multiple people will be using the same printer, and it’s better to have a printer that prints at an incredible speed. All-in-one printers offer many functionalities, but often they don’t contribute to the printing speed. If you want a printer that prints at a faster rate, then Laser Printer would be your best bet.
Warranties
If you are looking for a printer that offers value and service for a long time, you should consider warranties as many printers give at least one year of warranty. While it is enough to use the printer for home and school, offices require a printer that offers better warranties. In such regards, Lexmark gives better warranties that last up to 4 years.
Final thoughts
There are various kinds of printers on the market. In contrast, not every printer is usable for everyone. It is essential to list down your requirements and make the purchase based on the factors mentioned above. For small offices, a small Inkjet printer will do the job. However, big organizations need a big copying machine that prints at an incredible speed and saves money on ink. Either way, you can streamline your requirements and select a printer that is both budget-friendly and prints high-quality pages without above-average printing speed.
References:
Errera, R. 2019. Printing Costs: How To Accurately Calculate Your Printing Cost Per Page. [Online]. [12 March 2021]. Available from: https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/printing-costs-how-to-accurately-calculate-your-printing-cost-per-page/
Wilkinson, P. No date. Top Things to Consider When Buying a New Printer. [Online]. [12 March 2021]. Available from: https://www.printernet.co.uk/blog/top-things-to-consider-when-buying-a-new-printer-2577/