A printer, scanner, and fax machine are crucial for any business to operate smoothly and efficiently. Although it’s possible to outsource large printing or specialized jobs, such as creating brochures and manuals, you’ll still need a printer for daily business operations and transactions. An all-in-one or multifunctional printer with scanning and faxing capabilities is a wise investment for small offices and businesses. So, let us learn about the key factors to consider when buying them.
Printer types
Printers are classified based on the ink type and the functions they can perform. You can find printers for home and for businesses, and commercial uses. The common and best-selling printer types include:
Inkjet printers
These are ideal for home use as it is inexpensive and for occasional printing. Known for high-quality printing, ink cartridges don’t last long and need frequent replacement.
Laser printers
These use laser beams to heat a toner, and the ink embeds itself into the paper. Laser printers are ideal for small businesses or offices as they are faster, and the toner cartridge last longer.
All-in-one printers
These are multifunctional laser or inkjet printers with an in-built scanner and, in some cases, a fax machine. It is ideal for businesses that require a lot of document and photo printing and scanning.
Super tank printers
These are best suited for large businesses and commercial printing services. They have sizeable refillable ink tanks, reducing the cost of printing and making them less prone to repairs.
3D printers
These specialty printers create three-dimensional objects using CAD or a digital 3D model. It prints the objects layer by layer and can print objects of any shape, size, and rigidity using materials like plastic, powders, carbon fiber, and specialized materials.
Top all-in-one printers with fax and scan
Since all-in-one printers typically include all or one copier, fax, and scan, you can save space, running, and maintenance costs and printing is also cheaper than other printers. The built-in fax machines save you from running to a service provider for sending and receiving confidential documents. They are ideal for professionals who work from home and for freelancers. They are more efficient, easy to use, and help to organize and manage your documents better. All-in-one printers are available in many sizes, speeds, and memory, and you can choose one that suits your printing and copying requirements. Some of the popular all-in-one printers with fax and scan include:
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e
- Brother MFC-J4335DW
- Epson Workforce WF-2860
- Pantum M6602N
- Canon ImageCLASS MF236n
- Samsung SCX-3405FW Laser Multifunctional Printer
Best websites for printer deals
Despite a big part of office operations and transactions becoming paperless and digital, the need for printers continues to rise. The best time to buy printers is the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, where all leading printer brands offer up to 70% discounts on printers, cartridges, and toners.
Common printer problems and repair services
If you own a printer, whether a standalone, all-in-one inkjet or laser printer, it typically has a three to five years lifespan. If you’re experiencing frequent paper jams, printer errors, strange noises, or constant error messages, it’s best to have it serviced by a professional technician. Most printer brands offer a one or two-year warranty with a replacement guarantee. Taking your printer to an authorized service center is recommended if you encounter any issues.
