When it comes time to purchase a printer, there are a lot of things to consider. Not all printers are created equal wherein some are designed for home use, while others are built for office or commercial settings. Here is a list of things you should keep in mind when choosing a printer.
Think About Your Needs
One of the primary things you should consider when selecting a printer is what you need it for. Are you going to be printing mostly text documents? Do you need to be able to print in color? Do you need a printer that can handle large printing jobs or one that is more compact? For instance, if you intend to print on shirts, then you will need a DTG printer. A DTG printer is a Direct to Garment printer that uses inkjet technology to print on textiles. This type of printer is perfect for small businesses or those who need to print shirts on demand. Some printers employ heat transfers to print images and text onto t-shirts. On the other hand, if you just need to print out text documents, then an inkjet or laser printer would suffice. Once you have an idea of your needs, it will be much easier to find a printer that meets them.
Factor In The Type of Connectivity You Need
Another thing you should consider is what type of connectivity you need. Do you need a wireless printer? Would you like to be able to print from your smartphone or tablet? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you should look for a printer that offers Wi-Fi connectivity or Bluetooth. These days, most printers come with some form of wireless connectivity. However, if you don’t think you’ll need it, you can save some money by choosing a printer that doesn’t have it. These are the types of printers that typically cost less than their wireless counterparts.
Choose The Right Size
When it comes to printers, size does matter. If you have a small office or home, then you should opt for a compact printer. These days, there are plenty of space-saving printers on the market that won’t take up too much room on your desk. However, if you have a larger office or need to print high-quality photos, then you’ll need a bigger printer. Keep in mind that even printers that are designed to print on shirts and tarps come in different sizes. So, make sure to choose one that is the right size for your needs.
Look into the print speed
Another essential factor you should consider is print speed. This is especially important if you need to print a lot of documents regularly. The last thing you want is to have to wait around for your printer to churn out pages. Fortunately, most manufacturers list the print speed of their printers in the product specs. So, you should be able to find this information with a quick Google search. However, you have to keep in mind that the print speed will also depend on the quality of the printer. For instance, a laser printer is going to be much faster than an inkjet printer.
Look Into The Print Quality As Well
When it comes time to purchase a printer, you’ll want to make sure that you choose one that produces high-quality prints. After all, there’s no point in spending money on a printer that produces lackluster results. Fortunately, there are a few things you can look at to gauge the print quality of a printer. For starters, you can check out online reviews. People are usually quick to point out if a printer doesn’t produce good-looking prints. You can also take a look at the dpi, or dots per inch. This is a measure of the resolution of a printer. The higher the dpi, the better the print quality will be.
Consider Your Budget
Printers can range in price from around $50 to several thousand dollars. The more expensive models will have more features, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best choice for you. It all depends on your needs. If you only need to print text documents, then you can probably get away with a cheaper printer. On the other hand, if you need to print high-quality photos or need a printer that is fast and reliable, then you’ll need to be willing to spend a bit more money.
Now that you know some of the things to consider when choosing a printer, it’s time to start shopping around. Don’t forget to compare prices and read reviews before making your final decision. Rest assured that with a little bit of research, you’ll be able to find the perfect printer for your needs.