What printer should you get? That is probably the first question to pop up in your head, if you are starting a new business which revolves around printing. But with so many different kinds of printers available in the market, it can be quite confusing to choose the right one for your business. Even if you already know what printer you need, things get tricky when you start asking questions like – What type of printer do I need? What toner is best for my printing needs? Do I need an all-in-one printer or a standalone fax machine instead? What about a scanner? How much space do I have on my desk or in the office? That’s why we’re here to help. This buying guide will give you a clear idea about what type of printers are available for businesses and which one works best for your company. Let’s begin...

What Kind of Printer Should You Get?

All printers are not created equal. Depending on your specific printing needs, you may want to choose a dedicated printer for business that prints mainly documents. Alternatively, if you have a lot of printing requirements, such as printing photos, scanning, and copying, then you would be better off with an all-in-one printer for small businesses. You can also choose a multifunction printer (MFP), which is a device that can perform several different tasks, such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. There are five basic printer types that you should be aware of, including dedicated printers, multifunction printers, inkjet printers, laser printers, and fax machines. Dedicated printers are often used for printing black and white documents only, while multifunction printers are machines that can print, copy, scan, and sometimes fax.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are the traditional type of printers, in which the ink is sprayed through a nozzle onto paper or other media, like banners or posters. Inkjet printers are best for printing a moderate volume of documents and general printing and are great for home offices or small businesses. If you need to print a lot of colour documents, you should go for a dye-sub or pigment-based inkjet printer as they are more cost-effective and produce better quality prints than the traditional solvent-based inks. If you print a lot, then you’re probably better off choosing a laser printer as they use toner rather than ink, which is more cost-effective in the long run. In terms of paper capacity, inkjet printers are more compact and can handle around 20 pages at a time.

Laser Printer

A laser printer uses toner rather than ink and is best for printing large volumes of black and white documents. Laser printers are more suitable for businesses that need to print a large number of documents regularly and often. They are faster than inkjet printers and produce high-quality prints. If you’re looking for a good laser printer for your business, it’s important to check that it uses a laser toner rather than a laser dye. This is because dye-based toners have a high rate of failure and often lead to poor quality prints. Laser printers are best for printing documents or holding around 100 sheets of paper at a time. You can use them for colour printing but the quality won’t be as good as that produced by a dye-sub printer.

Fax Machine

Fax machines have been around for a long time now, and they are still a popular option when it comes to sending and receiving documents. They are best for small businesses that don’t require a lot of printing and are usually connected to a computer. Fax machines are usually very basic models that don’t come with any extra features, although some do have the ability to scan documents. They can hold a few sheets of paper at a time and can be used for sending and receiving documents, as well as printing. If you send a lot of documents that need to be sent via fax regularly, then it’s better to buy a dedicated fax machine instead of relying on your computer to send and receive documents via fax.

Recommendation #1 - Xerox B305/DNI Mono MFP

Our top recommendation is the Xerox B305 Mono MFP for home office and low to mid volume office workgroups. This is a Brand New Machine with 1 year manufacturer warranty.

Today’s way of working demands a better, more flexible way to print, collaborate and get work done. These fast, compact black and white devices are perfectly suited for busy workplaces and home offices. And with super simple set-up right out of the box, they deliver the ease and robust reliability needed to stay productive and secure.

Big performance is packed into a compact footprint that’s small enough to fit where you need it. With Wi-Fi included as standard, you can connect from your mobile, tablet or laptop for immediate and wireless printing, scanning and sharing. And, with quiet operation and fast print speeds, work interruptions are minimized so you can continue, distraction-free.

The B305/B315 Multifunction Printers (MFPs) go beyond business basics to deliver fast double-sided scanning to digitize and share documents rapidly. All this and more combined in one multifunction printer – no extra expense or desk space for additional equipment.

Spend less time setting up with the Xerox^® Smart Start Software that automates the installation process – without the need for IT support. Plus, comprehensive end-to-end security helps to safeguard your data and documents.

Recommendation #2 - Ricoh MP 301 (Pre-Owned)

Conclusion

Choosing the right printer for your business is crucial, as it will have a significant impact on the efficiency and productivity levels of your employees. Apart from the basic functions of printing, a good printer for the office should be able to scan, copy, and send faxes. Before you go out and buy a printer, think about your printing needs and choose a printer accordingly.