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Demystifying Common Printer Myths: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Writer's picture: Arctic Office ProductsArctic Office Products

woman using printer

Even in this digital world businesses operate in, printers are still an essential piece of equipment for most companies’ daily operations. Despite how long printers have been a key fixture in business offices around the globe, there are a number of myths and misconceptions about them—with some new ones popping up in more recent years as technology has evolved. Many of these myths about small business printers in Fairbanks, AK, can lead to confusion when selecting a printer, or inefficiency in operating the one you have. Keep reading to learn the truth behind some of these common printer myths, so you can make more informed decisions regarding your business’s printing needs and the equipment you use.

Myth 1: Laser Printers Are Always Better Than Inkjet

With a fancy, modern-sounding name like “laser printer,” many people believe that this type of printer is simply the latest and greatest option available for printing—and, therefore, it must always be the better choice. However, that’s not necessarily the case.


Make no mistake, laser printers do offer superior speed and efficiency when handling large print volumes. They also create crisper text documents, with cleaner lines and less smudging. However, they fall short when it comes to printing high-quality color images and photos. So, for businesses that print a lot of image-heavy documents, a laser printer may not be the best choice at all. This is why you should always carefully evaluate your business’s specific printing needs before determining which printer time is right for your company.


Myth 2: You Should Always Use OEM Cartridges

Original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, cartridges are ink and toner cartridges that come directly from the manufacturer of your printer or copier. While OEM cartridges are reliable, they’re not the only option—and they’re rarely the most cost-effective choice. If you’ve heard that third-party cartridges can damage your printer, then you’ve been fed a major myth that can cost a company thousands of dollars a year. 


Third-party ink and toner cartridges can be just as dependable and provide prints of the same quality you’d get from an OEM cartridge. The key is to ensure you’re purchasing from a trusted supplier, so you can avoid low-quality cartridges that might leak or clog the printer. Just make sure to do your research, and you can save a great deal on your company’s annual printing costs.

woman using printer

Myth 3: Printers Are Obsolete in the Digital Age

This is a myth that has popped up over the last decade or so as digitization, and the idea of “paperless” offices has become more popular. While we can’t discount the value of having digital copies of your important documents or the convenience of digital files, printers still hold significant value in many business contexts. Many industries still rely on printed documents for contracts, marketing materials, and internal communications—just to name a few. For example, legal and healthcare sectors frequently require hard copies of documents for compliance and record-keeping purposes. Before you decide to give up your printer completely, you should carefully assess your business’s operational needs as well as your customer’s preferences to determine just how relevant your printer is to your daily workflow.


Myth 4: All Business Printers Are the Same

While most business owners easily recognize the major differences between home printers and business printers, far too many people believe that all business printers are the same. Sure, they may have the same basic functions—printing, copying, scanning, and perhaps faxing—but printers can still vary widely in their features, capabilities, and their overall suitability for your office. 


Some types of printers are optimized for high-volume printing, while others are better suited for printing high-resolution images. Some printers offer high-tech security protocols and wireless connectivity, while others are simpler in design and require a wired connection to send print commands. Understanding the differences between business printer models is key to finding one that fits your specific needs.


Myth 5: Printer Maintenance Is Too Complicated

You don’t have to understand all of the inner workings of your office machine in order to perform basic maintenance tasks. Sure, a business printer is a complex piece of equipment—but the routine maintenance it requires is not. Tasks like cleaning the printer, updating the firmware, and replacing worn parts take only a small amount of time and effort, but can significantly enhance the printer’s lifespan and performance.


Make sure you read your printer’s manual thoroughly so you can learn how to properly care for it. You’ll likely be surprised to find that the instructions for these routine maintenance tasks are quite easy to follow—and for more complicated issues, you can call out a tech to fix the issue for you.


Myth 6: You Should Always Use the Default Settings

While leaving your printer’s settings in their default mode might be the easiest option, it’s not always the optimal choice. Adjusting your printer’s settings can lead to better performance and cost savings. You can customize your printer settings based on specific needs, giving you a higher-quality print while reducing your costs. For example, adjusting print quality settings, using double-sided printing, and ensuring the correct paper type is selected for the printer can all help to optimize printer performance. So, don’t be afraid to adjust those printer settings to better suit your needs.


Find the Right Business Printer for You

Now that you understand the truth behind some of these common printer myths, we hope you feel a bit better prepared to choose a printer for your business, or to take proactive steps in utilizing your current machine more efficiently. 


If you’re looking for the best printer for a business in Fairbanks, AK, we have one more myth to bust for you: There isn’t one. The best printer for one company won’t be the best option for another. You’ll need to carefully assess your needs and budget in order to find a printer that can keep up with the type and amount of printing your office does. For assistance finding the right printer for you, call or stop by Arctic Office Products today.



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