How to choose a color printer that is right for your small business

Whatever your small business you can benefit from a color printer. The use of color printer's can have a big effect on the image that your company portrays. Just think back to all of the fliers that you have been handed or mailed during your life. Then ask yourself which ones you paid the most attention to and took the most time to read? They were most likely the pieces with lots of colors and interesting graphics. Additionally, a good color printer can give your business an advantage during business proposals. The last idea that you want to portray to potential investors or customers is that you are cheap.

You know about the benefits of having a color printer for your small business and are interested in buying one but you may not be sure where to start. Of course, color printing needs will vary from one business to the next. So provided below are a few basic considerations to keep in mind as you shop around for a color printer that will best meet your small business needs.

Work load - frequency and length
Consider how many documents you will be needed to print given certain periods of time. If you know that you will need to make a large number of copies in a short amount of time, you need to look for a printer that can print high quality images quickly. You also want to make sure that the printer you look for is made for such high capacity printing and that the last copy printed is just as nice as the first.

Paper type
Some printers can only handle certain types of paper. Thick cardstocks, thin, or transparent paper may not be good mediums for printing. Check to make sure that the paper that you will be using is compatible with the capabilities of your printer.

Quality needed - photos or graphs?
Color printers will vary in sophistication depending on the quality of the print that you need. Some printers can print in a photo quality where others are simply meant to print simple shapes or graphs. Evaluate your needs and the nature of your business to decide on the quality that you will need. If your business deals highly in visual appeal (such as custom art, photography, marketing, etc.) you should be looking to find a printer that reflects the quality of the work you are selling.

Size
Most standard printers have a limited capacity when it comes to printing on various sizes of paper. Consider your needs. If your print jobs require a large sized paper, you will need to look into more specialized printers. Also, many printers are limited as to the quantity of paper that can be held at any given time. If you are going to be printing on a large number of sheets consider the holding capacity of printers that you shop for.

Other features needed? (extra drawers, collating, editing features, etc)
Consider all the color printer extras that are available. Color printers can often times be altered just as computer programs. Often times the extra features that are available can be the deciding factor in a purchase.

Price (don't forget the cartridge)
Of course, the most common consideration when looking for a color printer for your small business is going to be expense. Obviously if you could afford it you would get the best color printer available. Unfortunately, small business owners are not known for being exceptionally wealthy. You want to be able to get the best printer for the money that you can allocate to that purchase. To do this it will take time and research to find the printer that will best fit your needs given your price range. Don't forget to consider the cost of the ink cartridges and replacement cartridges. This cost alone can bear a good deal of weight on your overall decision.

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