Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by Ali Hamza
We’ve all been there! You find the perfect label printer on Amazon and then get home with it only to find it has a compatibility issue with your computer.
With so many different brands and features available, it can be difficult to decide which printer model is right for you. To make sure you don’t regret your decision, we’ve compiled a list of factors to consider before you make the purchase.
Table of Contents
5 Things you Should Check Before Buying a Printer
Print Quality
The print quality of a printer is the most important factor you should consider when buying a new one. Print quality refers to the clarity of the text, images, and graphics produced by your printer. The best printers produce crisp, clear text and images that are easy to read.
Consider investing in a model with high-quality ink cartridges that use UV ink. These cartridges can last up to five years before they need replacing, so you won’t need to replace them as often.
Print Speed
Print speed is another thing to consider when shopping for a new printer. Even though most printers have a pretty high resolution (more than 300 PPI), some people need faster speeds to get their work done quickly and efficiently. If this is the case for you, look for a printer that speeds up to 300 pages per minute (ppm).
Compact, Portable, or Desktop?
It’s important to decide what kind of printer you need. Are you looking for a compact, portable device that can be taken anywhere? Or are you looking for a desktop printer that sits on your desk and prints out documents?
Compact Printer
A compact printer is smaller than a standard printer but larger than a mobile device. It typically has a small footprint on your desk and is often wirelessly enabled. If space is at a premium in your home office or in an area where power outlets are scarce, then this could be the best option for you.
Portable Printer
Portable printers are similar in size to travel printers. They tend to be lighter weight than standard models and can easily fit into bags when traveling around town or visiting friends over at their place; however, they lack some of the functionality found on heavier-duty models, such as wirelessly connecting with smartphones via Bluetooth technology.
Desktop printers
Desktop printers are generally larger than other types of printers and can have more features than portable ones, such as color printing and scanning capabilities. Desktop direct thermal printers also tend to be more powerful than portable ones because they require electricity from an outlet to function properly.
Stay in Budget
When looking at prices for printers, it’s important to remember that they come in all shapes and sizes as well as with features ranging from WiFi connectivity to built-in scanners and fax machines. The best way to know if this will be an affordable purchase is by comparing prices between models before making final decisions about what type of printer might work best for your business needs.
Wireless Connectivity
If you need portability but large printouts (or color), then look into wireless connectivity options. Wireless connectivity means that instead of dealing with cables and wires, your printer will send information directly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections, which makes setup easy!
Main Types of Printers and their Applications for Business
Direct Thermal Printers
Direct thermal printers contain a heating element to transfer the ink onto the paper. It is done through contact between the printing medium and the heating element. The heat from the element transfers to the ink in heated form, causing it to deposit on the paper. Thermally printed images tend to be more accurate than those produced by other types of printing methods.
Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers use tiny jets of ink to print images on paper or textiles by bouncing them off a surface instead of using an ink roller. They are much more versatile than thermal printers because they can print on just about any material, including leather and fabric (which aren’t suitable for thermal printing). They also have fewer problems with paper jams and poor-quality images due to their smaller size and higher resolution output.
Digital Printers
Digital printers convert your computer’s data into text, graphics, or other formats that can then be printed onto paper. This type of printer is often used by individuals who want to send emails with attachments so that their coworkers can see things like pictures or documents without having to carry physical copies of those files themselves (think: the office coffee room).
Laser Printers
Laser printers are known for their high-quality output, which makes them ideal for printing documents like business cards and brochures or as a label printers. They are also useful for printing photos and documents that need to be professionally presented. This type of printer is usually more expensive than other types, but it can be used to produce stunning images with a minimum amount of effort.
Photo Printer
Photo printers are similar to laser printers in that they produce high-quality printouts but are much more versatile. Photo printers can be used to print out photos from your digital camera or computer and they can also be used to print out glossy paper photos and posters.
Final Words
Printers can be a pricey investment, so it’s important to do your homework before buying one. However, once you’ve found the right printer for you, we’re confident that you’ll be able to enjoy years of reliable service and good-looking documents to go with it! We hope this article will help you make the right choice.
