When you’re trying to find the best printer for your small business, it’s important that you strike a balance between functionality, reliability, and cost-efficiency. With such a wide range of options available, understanding which features matter the most can help you choose a printer that actually suits your business’s needs—and that can boost your office’s productivity. We’ve put together some of our top recommendations and features you should consider when shopping for a small office printer in Fairbanks, AK.
Top Features to Consider
Modern office printers can come with a lot of bells and whistles; but each bell and whistle you add to your printer will increase its cost. For small businesses, it’s especially important to focus on only those features that will truly benefit your business and help improve productivity. Here are the top features that we think small-business owners should consider when purchasing a printer:
Print Speed and Volume: Print speed is measured in pages per minute, or PPM, and tells you how quickly your printer can complete tasks. For small businesses with frequent printing needs, a printer with a high PPM is important to maintain efficiency. You should also assess the monthly duty cycle of any printer you’re considering, or the number of pages the printer can handle without experiencing performance issues. Look for models that exceed your average printed pages per month.
Print Quality and Resolution: Print quality is measured in dots per inch, or DPI. Higher DPIs produce sharper text and more detailed images. If your business relies on producing professional documents or marketing materials, choosing a printer with high resolution is key. Laser printers are ideal for text-heavy documents, while inkjet printers are better suited for color graphics and images; but whichever you choose, be sure you’re paying attention to that DPI rating.
Cost of Ownership: Beyond the upfront purchase price, the long-term cost of ownership includes consumables like ink or toner, maintenance, and energy usage. Some printers may have lower upfront costs but require expensive replacement cartridges. Evaluate the cost per page to figure out which printer offers you a better long-term value.
Multifunction Capabilities: Buying a printer that only prints is locking yourself into last century. Modern printers almost exclusively provide a minimum of 3 functions—printing, copying, and scanning. Many office printers will also integrate faxing, along with other capabilities. All-in-one printers save space, streamline workflows, and keep you from wasting money on multiple machines, so be sure to buy one that can support all of your document workflows.
Connectivity Options: Printers must be accessible from multiple computers in the office. This makes printing quick and easy for everyone that needs to use the device. Be sure to find a printer that has the most effective connectivity options for your office’s workflow, whether that be via Wi-Fi, mobile printing, Ethernet, or USB.
While there will undoubtedly be many more features you can consider when shopping for a printer, these 5 considerations should be at the top of your mind. This will help you to find a high-quality printer that meets your printing needs without spending an excessive amount on unnecessary add-ons.
Our Top Printer Recommendations for Small Businesses
With all of the above considerations in mind, there are still many different printers that small-business owners can choose from to meet their printing needs. Here are some of our top recommendations that we carry here at Arctic Office Products:
HP LaserJetPro MFP M428fdw: This is a versatile, all-in-one laser printer designed to serve small to medium-sized businesses. It provides a print speed of 40 PPM, with an automatic document feeder that holds up to 50 sheets. Duplex printing and scanning can further speed up your document-handling procedures. It durability, advanced security features, and overall cost-efficiency make it ideal for small businesses that want to streamline their workflows.
Brother MFC-L8900CDW: This Brother printer is another all-in-one laser printer that offers high performance. This printer caters to those businesses that want to prioritize vibrant color prints and multifunctionality. Though its print speeds only go up to 33 PPM, the high-yield toner cartridges do offer a lower cost per page. Its ability to handle high-volume color printing without sacrificing quality or speed makes it a great investment for creative businesses that need to print marketing materials, presentations, or other color documents.
Canon imageCLASS MF445dw: This printer offers impressive performance with advanced features tailored to suit small-office environments. It features a 5-inch touchscreen with user-friendly, intuitive controls, and offers mobile printing support so that employees can print from anywhere. It’s best for offices that need reliable monochrome printing in a small package.
Epson EcoTank ET-4850L: This inkjet printer gets its name from its refillable ink tanks, which provide you with ultra-low-cost prints while protecting the planet! In the long run, this printer is extremely gentle on your budget while creating incredibly high-quality prints. It is a bit on the slow side though, with a print speed of only 15 PPM for black-and-white prints and 8 PPM for color images.
Lexmark MB3442adw: This is a monochrome laser printer designed for speed and productivity—after all, being a small office doesn’t mean you’re not a fast-paced business. The compact design and print speed of 42 PPM means you can churn out pages quickly without taking up a ton of floor space. Duplex printing and scanning can speed things up even further, while the robust security features ensure all the data you’re handling remains safe.
Still not sure which printer is right for your small business’s needs? We encourage you to stop by our showroom to see our wide range of available office printers in Fairbanks, AK. Our team of experts can talk to you about your business’s individual printing needs and help match you with a machine that can meet those needs while staying within your budget. Call or stop by today and find the right office printer for your business.
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