When buying or leasing a printer for your business, there are many important factors to consider, but don’t let the variety of options in cost, size, and features overwhelm you. At WiZiX Technology Group, we’re happy to help you with all of your office printing needs—from ordering supplies to buying, leasing, and maintaining office machines. Read on to find out how to choose the perfect printer for your small business.
The Best Types of Printers for Small Businesses
Multifunction Printers
Investing in an inkjet or laser multifunction printer (MFP) can reduce costs for offices with high demands. An MFP combines the features of a printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine all in one piece of equipment. They’re a great choice for offices that don’t have the room or the budget for separate machines.
Laser Printers
Toner lasts much longer than ink, which is why laser printers are a popular choice in many offices. Laser printers have a high upfront investment, but cost less in the long term because they are durable and don’t require regular cleaning or maintenance.
Inkjet Printers
Although ink tends to run out or dry up more quickly, it costs less than toner and is capable of printing on a variety of paper types. Inkjet printers are ideal for businesses that do a lot of photo printing because ink produces better quality photos than toner.
How to Choose a Printer for Your Small Business
1. Determine Which Size Fits Your Space
You don’t want to make the mistake of choosing a printer that doesn’t fit anywhere in your office. Before you start shopping for printers, think about your installation space and how its size or location will affect productivity.
If choosing a large printer means placing it in an inconvenient area, it could negatively impact the efficiency of your workplace. Luckily, laser and inkjet printers—both single and multifunction—are available in compact sizes to accommodate small office spaces.
2. Consider Your Office’s Everyday Needs
Your printer needs to be able to keep up with your daily workflow. If your office has large printing needs along with other office equipment needs, a multifunction printer is a good choice. If your office regularly produces a high volume of documents, then a laser printer’s fast speeds can fulfill your needs. However, if you need to produce high-quality photos, large documents, or print on different types of paper, an inkjet printer is more suitable.
3. Evaluate Which Features Are Essential
It’s a good idea to know which functions your employees will or will not use ahead of time so you don’t end up paying extra for unnecessary options. Features like mobile or wireless printing can help improve your office productivity, but may not be crucial to your business. Consider which features will best suit your office workflow to help narrow down your search.
4. Decide If Color Printing Is Necessary
Another feature to consider when shopping for printers is color printing. If your business primarily prints black and white documents, it may be time to invest in a monochrome or black-and-white printer. Keep in mind that printing only in black and white is also a good way to save money and the environment.
5. Compare Upfront, Long-term, and Maintenance Costs
There are many factors that affect the cost of a printer. Size, functionality, and the type of printer all impact your printer budget. Multifunction printers typically cost more than a single-function laser or inkjet printer, but their advantages can often outweigh the costs. Laser printers cost more upfront but less to maintain, while inkjet printers have low upfront costs and high maintenance costs.
Buy or Lease a Printer in California
Once you know how to choose the right printer for your small business, you can decide whether to buy or lease. At WiZiX Technology Group in Northern and Central California, we offer the latest printers at affordable prices. When you lease a printer from us, we work with you to perfectly customize your contract. Call 1-866-846-1411 today to request a quote.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (9/22/2021). Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels