Tuesday Tips: Considerations Before Buying a Small Business Copier

You’re ready to purchase a small business copier. That’s great. But before you go, it’s helpful to know what functions you need to support your workflow. Nearly every machine available is a multifunction copier to enhance productivity in your office with print, copy, scan and fax capabilities. Consider these important factors before you shop for a digital copier.

Print Volume

Less expensive machines may seem like a bargain, but your unit needs to handle your office’s volume. Look at the pages per month duty cycle and toner cartridges’ page yield ratings.

Consider the Cost

Besides the initial purchase, think about the long-term cost of consumables. Color units rake up more, and cheap machines come with high-priced cartridges. Check the manufacturer’s cost per page to be certain.

Inkjet or Laser/LED?

Laserjet and LED printers are built for speed and higher volume, while inkjets excel at higher resolution output.

Black and White or Color?

If you plan to produce promotional materials, color is very useful. However, black and white printing remains cheaper.

Response Time

Check the warm-up time –– how long the unit takes before spitting out the first copy. Fast pages per minute times are useless if you have to wait forever for printing to start.

When you shop for a small business copier, think about the functions your office needs. Your new multifunction copier must maximize productivity while being cost effective. A quick cost-benefit analysis while evaluating these and other important factors should help guide you to the best digital copier for your business.