One of the most important considerations in choosing a printer is what you will be printing. The type of paper, ink and print quality that your particular industry requires will depend on whether you are a designer or photographer who needs high quality output for professional purposes; an architect or engineer who needs to produce large quantities of technical drawings and schematics; or a graphic artist looking for a versatile printer capableof producing bold colors with smooth gradients.
How Do You Know What Printer You Need?
Some of the most important questions you can ask yourself include:
What type of media do I plan to use?
For example, inkjet printers are often used with glossy photo paper or fine art papers. Laser printers tend to work better with heavier stocks like cardstock. Some new machines have the same capabilities as others without being limited by their line types. It’s worth it to read up about this before buying.
Do you need to print in color?
What size will you need? Some printers only print in a specific range of sizes. For example, some can only handle paper up to letter-sized (or A0) and others have no limit or allow for oversized prints as well.
What size will you need?
Some printers only print in a specific range of sizes. For example, some can only handle paper up to letter-sized (or A0) and others have no limit or allow for oversized prints as well.
Do you need large size printing?
How big will you need your prints to be? Some printers only print in a specific range of sizes. For example, some can only handle paper up to letter-sized (or A0) and others have no limit or allow for oversized prints as well.
Do you need to print with vibrant colors?
What types of binding do you need for your finished prints? Some printers only offer perfect-binding, while others can accommodate spiral, saddle-stitch or even screw posts as well.
Are you printing in a hot climate?
Some printers are designed for use in places with high heat and humidity. These printers can help to protect the print from damage due to moist air that may cause paper or ink to curl, fade or stick together. Keep this information in mind if you will be using your printer near an ocean, lake or other humid environment.
Do you need to print fast?
Some printers are specifically designed to print very quickly, while others require more time. Make sure that this is something you actually need before buying a machine.
Will you be the only one using it?
If you will be the only user, a simple machine may suffice. However, if there are others in your household who need to print as well (students, for example), make sure that it is easy and quick enough to use multiple times per day without frustration or downtime.
How much do you want to spend?
Oftentimes, the more expensive a printer is the better quality it will be. However, consider your budget and research different models to find out how much you can get for what amount of money.
Is printing all you need?
Some machines are equipped with a scanner and copier, allowing you to have all the equipment in one. Others may offer only printing options or do not include these extra features at all. It’s important to research what your machine can actually do before buying it.
Do you need to connect to the internet?
Many printers now come with built-in wireless connectivity so that you can easily print from your laptop or mobile device. Some models are also compatible with Bluetooth technology, allowing for more convenience than ever before!
Will your machine be used in a busy office?
Oftentimes, machines designed for the home will not be as durable and reliable as those made specifically to handle heavy daily use. If you will have a lot of people printing and scanning documents, it’s often worth the investment to buy one that is specifically made for business purposes.
I appreciate you bringing up the fact that some printers can only print a certain range of sizes. Due to this, you should think about your demands when buying a printer. I’ll definitely pass this along to my company, as they were looking to get one for paperwork and other documents. I’ll certainly look into printer services that could assist us in buying one. I appreciate you sharing!