Printing is the lifeblood of any business, so it’s essential that you choose your office printer wisely. Don’t forget, the printer you choose will impact the quality of your materials for years to come. Whether you’re printing important documents, letters, schedules, or project management plans, you want the final product to be successful. Ultimately, what you print represents your business. An office printer, then, is a crucial tool that shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s also a major investment. Prior to making a purchase, we recommend that you examine several options and take a look at their precise specifications.
Whether you need network printers, barcode printers, or managed print services, Nauticon Office Solutions is here to help. Contact us today for more information about how we can support the growth of your business!
Know Your Needs
First things first: what exactly are you going to be printing? For more standard tasks, you may only require a simple black-and-white office printer. However, you’ll still want to ensure that printing speeds are adequate and ink costs aren’t overly expensive.
If you’re going to be printing lots of photos or flyers with plenty of visuals, on the other hand, you’ll need to be able to print in color. Perhaps you need to print on different types of paper as well. No matter what your requirements are, a good rule of thumb is to never buy just for the sake of buying. Only choose an office printer with all the bells and whistles if you truly need them; otherwise, you’re spending valuable assets that could be allocated to other sources.
Inkjet vs. Laser
Inkjet printing works by producing tiny dots of ink that, when combined, make up images and text. These types of printers are ideal for a wide range of color capabilities and high-quality graphics. If you’re on a tighter budget, it’s worth noting that these also happen to be less costly.
The process of laser printing involves using powder (also known as “toner”) and transferring it to the page quickly. For this reason, laser printers are better suited for speed and a high-volume output. If you’re going to be doing a lot of printing, laser printers will be well worth the investment.
Wi-Fi Functionality
Most printers today offer Wi-Fi capabilities, but it’s always best to check and be sure. It’s much more convenient to print from a remote location rather than relying on a wired connection. Plus, you can print from a wide variety of devices such as smart phones, tablets and laptops. Wi-Fi printing is incredibly easy to set up and you’ll be ready to print within minutes. This option is a must-have for most offices, especially if many employees will be printing simultaneously.
Is One Printer Enough?
How much printing are you going to be doing? For small businesses, one durable office printer should be enough. However, most larger companies will require more than one. For example, some of your departments may need photo printing capabilities, whereas others might only need to print standard text documents. This can be extremely inconvenient and time-consuming if your design department and administrative department are in different areas or floors. More than likely, you will need at least two to three printers in this scenario.
Multi-Purpose Printers
If you’re going to need to fax, scan documents and make copies, it’ll be much easier if all these tasks can be accomplished at once. Multi-purpose printers are perfect for businesses of all kinds due their broad range of capabilities. Although they can be bulky, they are versatile and can perform many different tasks, so they save space. Having a lot of different machines can eat up a lot of room, so you’ll want to keep this in mind. Your employees should be able to move around safely without navigating through a maze of machines.
Additional Features
What other additional features might you need? It’s a good idea to make a list before you begin browsing. Do you require security features such as PIN protection? What about a high DPI for added quality, or card-reading options? Do you need double-sided printing and a comprehensive selection of paper sizes? You may also need a printer that can collate and staple your documents for you. In our digital world, there is plenty you can do to customize your printing experience. First, however, you need to know what additional features would be beneficial to your business.
We Can Help You Choose the Right Office Printer
Nauticon is a leading provider of managed services, workflow solutions and other office technology solutions that can transform your workspace and help you resolve common office printer problems. If you are looking for a better way to meet your office’s needs, we are here to help. To learn more about our company and see how we can bring innovative, real-world solutions for your office’s needs to you, contact us today by calling (301) 279-0123.
