Buying a new printer is both fun and potentially problematic unless the buyer goes into the transaction knowing exactly what they truly need. At the same time it is also important that that buyer also knows a little about how printers work and how their features relate to what those needs are. The next time you are in the market for a new printer consider these important tips:
- Whenever possible go for a printer with four or more ink cartridges. Some cheaper printers utilize single ink tanks which contain separatereservoirs for red, blue, yellow, and black ink. The problem with this type of printer is that when one of the colors runs out the entire cartridge must be replaced even if the other ink colors are still half full. Individual ink tanks therefore are much more cost effective. It may seem like you are spending more money on ink, but in the long run replacing the individual cartridges will cost much less than replacing the larger, multi-color tanks.
- Will you be using the printer to print envelopes? What about legal size paper? What about tabloid size paper (11x17)? Make sure that the printer you are buying is able to print to the type of paper that you intend to use.
- How much paper will you be using? Some personal inkjet printers have very small paper supply trays. If you will be doing a lot of printing look for printers with larger paper trays.
- What are you printing for? If you will be printing mostly photographs go for an inkjet printer. If you will be printing primarily text documents a laser printer will be better. Remember that most laser printers do not print high resolution color images as well as inkjets do.
- In terms of economics inkjet printers are less cost effective if you are printing large amounts of text. Go with a laser printer for big jobs and keep an inket on hand for when you need color images.
