Picking The Best Printer For Small Businesses
It has been roughly half a century since information technology has made its way into the business world, going from simple desktop PCs that allowed employees to edit documents all the way to sophisticated networks hosting enormous hubs of data. In that time one of the most critical, and often overlooked, pieces of equipment has been the printer, and with so many options these days, how do you select the best one for you and your small business?
Before shopping for a new printer, it is important to establish what exactly the printer will be used for. Ever since Epson released the first electronic printer in 1968, there have been hundreds of thousands of different competing models, ranging from the older and much simpler dot matrix printers to the new fancier ink and laser printers. Sizes can also vary from small POS receipt printers (such as the types of printers used in cash registers for retail and food service industries), to giant multi-tray goliath printers more well-suited for larger design projects.
If all you need is a standard printer that will not be used by more than ten people, a home office printer may be the best choice for you. But if your business has a larger staff with a variety of needs in printer sizing, then you may want to invest in a printer that will work faster and multitask more efficiently according to your business’s needs. Other factors to keep in mind when purchasing your next printer are whether the printer needs to be on the network, or directly plugged into an employee’s computer, and how this all fits into your budget and security concerns. These are the types of questions you should be asking when browsing printers.
Another important part of selecting the right printer is researching the ink and paper it requires. Always check the cost of ink and paper refills of a prospective printer before you buy it, so you can ensure you are not going to be gouged down the road. Many printer companies lure consumers in with a reasonable price tag on relatively high-quality machines, only to keep customers on the hook for overpriced printer supplies for years. Do not fall into this trap; keeping down overhead expenses is one of the most important parts of maintaining healthy profit margins. Unless your business needs a specific kind of ink or paper, there is no need to splurge on a printer that contributes nothing to your business.
After you have taken everything into account with regard to the printer’s purpose for your business, it is time to start shopping around. Compare models from different companies that have the features you know you need, and always compare prices between both online and brick and mortar stores. Before you confirm your selection, go over reviews and consumer reports from sources independent of the seller’s website, and factor that into your final decision. As long as you do your homework, you will find the right printer for you.
