2026 Office Printer and Copier Buying Guide for Alaska Businesses: Best Options for Anchorage and Fairbanks

If you’re looking to buy a new copy printer in Fairbanks, AK, this year, it’s important to take the time to learn all you can about the different models available to you. Office printers aren’t just printers anymore; they’re essential to business workflows, security, cost control, and even sustainability goals. Choosing the right one can reduce your operating costs, improve productivity, and support a hybrid workforce, which is increasingly common in modern offices. If you want to learn how to choose the best printer for your office, keep reading.

Understanding Types of Printers and Copiers

Printers and copiers come in all shapes and sizes now, with a variety of features and functions. However, we can generally break them down into a few main categories.

First is the multifunction printer, or MFP. These are currently the most common choice among business owners because they combine printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing into a single device. They are the backbones of many offices’ workflows because they serve as the one-stop location for document processing. They’re great for any office, but especially beneficial for those that have limited floor space and, therefore, don’t want multiple machines to perform these functions.

Second is the single-function printer. As the name implies, this printer does just one thing: print. It doesn’t come with copying, scanning, or faxing capabilities, and likely won’t have many extra bells and whistles. They’re smaller and cheaper upfront, but if you have any copying and scanning needs, you’ll probably pay more buying those machines separately instead of just getting an MFP. However, they can function well as a dedicated printer for a single department, for example, or if you already have scanning solutions you rely on.

Last in the list are wide-format printers and similar specialty devices. These are designed for businesses that produce signage, posters, or other large marketing materials that can’t be printed on your standard office printer. While most businesses would turn to a specialty print shop for these kinds of prints, if you’re doing a lot of them, it may be worth getting your own.

Key Features to Consider When Buying

Once you know the printer category you’re looking for, it’s time to review the specifications. Here are the most important features you should be weighing when you’re making your decision:

• Print Speed (PPM) – Print speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM), directly impacts your workflow efficiency. For busy offices, you’ll want something with a rating of 30 to 50 PPM at the very least. Larger enterprises with very high print demand might want something with 75 PPM or higher.

• Monthly Duty Cycle – This specification tells you how many pages a machine is designed to handle per month. Exceeding the printer’s duty cycle can cause it to wear out prematurely, so it’s important that you find a device with a higher duty cycle than what you typically print each month.

• Print Quality (DPI) – The quality of the images your printer produces is measured in dots per inch, or DPI. For standard printing of your basic office documents, you’ll want to find something with a resolution of around 600 x 600 DPI or higher. However, if you’re planning to print professional reports or marketing materials, you’ll want a resolution of 1200 x 1200 DPI or higher. A higher DPI is critical for professional-looking presentations and branded materials.

• Paper Handling and Versatility – Your printer should support a variety of paper sizes and media, not just your standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of office paper. Most offices, at one point or another, need to print on envelopes, labels, cardstock, and legal-sized paper; you want your machine to handle all of it. Multiple trays and automatic duplexing also help to minimize interruptions in the printing process.

• Cloud and Mobile Printing – It’s 2026. If your printer doesn’t allow your employees to print from the cloud, then you’re stuck in the last decade. In today’s world, cloud connectivity that lets you print directly from Dropbox and OneDrive is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity.

• Security Features – Printers and copiers are endpoints for your business’s digital data, and they need to be secured like any other device. Look for printers with features like secure print release, user authentication, encrypted storage, and auto-wipe of the printer’s hard drive. This helps protect sensitive client data while complying with industry regulations.

Considering Total Cost of Ownership

The price tag is always an important consideration in any business purchase. However, it’s important to consider more than just the upfront cost of your business printer. Instead, look at the total cost of ownership, including the cost of toner or ink for that specific model, maintenance and service contracts, energy usage, and the machine's overall lifespan and reliability. A low-cost printer with expensive toner that’s going to fail in a few years will end up costing you more in the long run than a slightly pricier device that lasts longer and has more affordable consumables.

Aligning with Your Business’s Needs

Ultimately, there is no perfect printing solution that works for every business. However, there is always a perfect printing solution for your business. The trick is to know what your printing needs are and find the model with features and capabilities that align with them. Here’s a breakdown of what we recommend based on business sizes:

• Small Offices – For a small company with only 1 to 10 people using the printer, looking for a compact MFP is best. Find something with wireless connectivity and a PPM between 20 and 35. Affordable consumables and mobile and cloud printing support are also essential, saving you money on supplies and saving your team time with faster printing solutions.

• Medium Businesses – For businesses with 10 to 50 users, a more robust MFP with a higher PPM of 30 to 50 is better. Look for something with strong security features and larger paper trays to reduce lines at the printer.

• Large Enterprises – For businesses with more than 50 people using the printer, focus on finding an MFP with a very high duty cycle and a PPM over 75. Multiple paper trays and additional finishing options, such as stapling and hole punching, should be essential, as should strong security features.
  

While these general guidelines can set you on the right track, we strongly suggest contacting us at Arctic Office Products to speak with a team member. We can talk through your printing needs and provide a more personalized recommendation for a specific printer model we believe will best serve your office. Call or stop by our showroom today, and let us help you find the best printer for a business in Fairbanks, AK