How to choose the best printer
for your small business

Kiwi businesses come in all sizes, but when it comes to selecting a printer, make sure what you choose will be a reliable tool that lets you get on with doing business, rather than a hidden cost that’s going to chew up time.
Whether it’s bright and glossy advertising material, bound multi-page reports to share at that all-important pitch meeting, large-scale plans and blueprints, or even a humble postage label for a courier consignment, there comes a point in any small business when you need a physical printout.

For a long time, print quality was the be-all-and-end-all. But things have moved on at pace in recent times: today’s leading print solutions go beyond simple clarity of image. Speed, cloud connectivity, reliability, lower total cost of ownership, and sustainability are all benefits to be found in a variety of models from leading brands.

WHAT IS YOUR PRINTER COSTING YOU?

When budgets are tight, the office printer is often seen as a minor, interchangeable expense. But not all printers are created equal. Sure, there might be an ultra-cheap model out there that looks like it will be fine, but will it keep up with demand? Will it be reliable? Will it prove efficient, or will it cost you more in ink and toner over time? Ink might cost more than the printer and if the cartridge has a low page yield, it might cost you a lot more in the long run.

Investing in the wrong print solution can be costly, so it’s best to consider more than just the price tag.

EVERY SOLUTION IN ONE PLACE

The good news is that there are plenty of excellent choices out there, and Warehouse Stationery has you covered.We stock and support a comprehensive range of print solutions for all sizes of business, whether you’re just starting out on that solo side hustle, or your business has a dedicated print and copy room that your team relies upon every day.

We also help Kiwi businesses access the best tech available, which is why we always recommend trusted brands for consideration, such as Brother, Epson, Canon, and HP.

Okay, so where do we start? First, let’s demystify what the difference is between a laser and an ink jet printer.

The basic difference between laser and inkjet printers lies in the technology they use to create an image on the page and the process they use to apply it.

LASER PRINTERS

Laser printers use toner, which is a fine, dry powder. They use a laser to create an electrostatic image on a rotating drum. The toner powder is attracted to the charged areas of the drum and transferred to the paper. It’s then permanently fused to the page using heat and pressure.

A solid solution for small and medium businesses, laser printers are generally faster, making them ideal for high-volume printing. They’re also great at producing crisp, sharp text which is ideal for printing business documents. Toner cartridges also have a higher page yield than

So why is this important? Ask yourself what does your business primarily print?

If it’s high-quality photos and design work, an ink jet printer might best serve your needs. If large volumes of black and white and colour text documents – being printed by more than one team member – are the norm, a laser printer could prove a cost and time-effective solution in the long run.

Once you’ve established whether laser or ink jet printing will work best for you, it’s time to match the right printer with your business needs.

START-UPS

Working from home or just started your new business? You’ll still need to print on occasion. If you’re printing around 250 pages per month, we’d recommend looking at an ‘all-in-one’ A4 printer that offers printing, copying and scanning in one package. These are easy to set up, can be connected to your computer wirelessly and offer excellent print speeds.

SMALL BUSINESSES

If you’re printing multiple times per week – say, between 500 and 1,000 pages per month – then you’re going to want a printer that can keep pace with your needs. A slow machine can grind things to a halt, especially when two people want to print at once.

Choosing a printer that matches your print volume will prevent bottlenecks, and a good business-grade multi-function printer will combine fast printing, copying, and high-speed scanning.

With print speeds of between 20 and 30 pages-per-minute, these printers also feature large paper trays, so you’re not continually re-filling. They also offer Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) systems which mean larger documents can be scanned with ease, while wireless connectivity means multiple team members can be connected to the same printer.

MEDIUM BUSINESSES

Professional colour, high speeds and differing paper tray sizes: if your business is busy, your printer is going to be too. And if your team is printing over 1,000 pages per month, you’ll want to look at a high-grade office printer that works seamlessly day in, day out.

Beyond the quality you’ll see on the page, larger printers also incorporate energy-saving technology, which is great for your business’s bottom line, as well as accessibility through companion apps and security software for added peace of mind.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you’re looking for the right printer for your business, we suggest shifting focus from the upfront price to the total cost of ownership. Look at printing speed as well as print quality, and ease of everyday use, as well as how simple or complicated it is to set up in the first place. And of course, consider the costs of ink and toner too. Warehouse Stationery has a huge range to match whichever printer you choose.

Remember that investing in a print solution from a trusted brand also means you’ll have access to comprehensive aftersales tech support if you need it. If you have any more questions on what printer is right for you, head into your local Warehouse Stationery store and ask a member of our friendly team – they know their stuff!