How To Choose the Right Printer for Your Office

It’s time to recycle the old Canon printer from the office, and you need to find something on a budget that can handle all the printing of your small office. While a wireless printer is convenient and may offer all the bells and whistles of modern devices, it may also be above your price point.

When looking for a new printer, what matters? If you are like most business people, there are at least six factors to consider before purchasing your new printer.

1. Flexible Connectivity Options

In the digital era, people want connectivity options. Purchasing a printer that requires wired connections to print anything is inefficient and outdated. A modern office needs a computer that can connect to a wireless network and allow wireless printing.

Depending on how often employees are at the office, you might want to find printers that allow for printing from a phone. Also, consider cloud printing so people can print on the go.

2. Simple To Set Up Models

Some printers are complicated to set up and start using. In a business environment, it is important to take the printer out of the box and start using it as quickly as possible.

Before buying any color printer and black and white printer, make sure it is easy to set up and compatible with your computer and network. If you are unsure of compatibility, talk to a sales representative to learn more.

3. Print Volume

How many prints or copies does your office make per month? If you print hundreds or thousands of pages, you want to look for a durable high-volume printer. Many modern small businesses can get away with a standard commercial or business printer.

You can tell if a printer is capable of matching your demand by reviewing the monthly duty cycle or recommended print volume. The recommended print volume is typically 10% of a machine’s duty cycle.

Purchasing the wrong size machine can result in over or underutilizing the device. Overutilizing can diminish the lifespan of the device, and underutilizing can mean you invest more money than necessary into a larger-than-necessary piece of equipment.

4. Print Speed

Print speed is another significant factor when selecting a new printer for the office. If your office relies on printers and requires a high volume demand, you cannot afford a slow print speed. Slower speeds mean fewer prints per hour and more congestion at the printer station.

The best print speed is usually determined by the optimum monthly volume. For example, if your company prints up to 55,000 copies per month, you should look for a printer with a speed of 60 to 69 ppm.

5. Cost

Finally, whether looking for a wireless color printer or a wired black-and-white model, you want to assess your budget. A decent printer can run from a few hundred dollars to upwards of a thousand or more, depending on the size and complexity. Determine a budget and stick to it. You don’t always need the latest features.

Are you looking for a new office printer? If so, check out the websites of printer manufacturers and find a model that suits your needs.