Printer and copier buying guide
These are the factors you need to consider before making your purchase.
Do you want to upgrade to a new big format inkjet printer but don’t know where to start looking? Do you want to replace your present equipment with something better? In need of some pointers on what to look for?
Finding the best big format inkjet printer requires much research. Keeping these 5 factors below in mind while shopping for a printer can make the process much simpler.
1. The image quality
The standards for acceptable image quality might vary greatly from one market to the next. Fine art reproduction and photography are ideal uses for printers with a minimum print resolution of 1200 dpi. Make sure to look for printers and copiers for sale with a wide range of resolution options, since most of them have several.
Several newer printers feature better ink sets that expand the colour range that can be printed. Check the manufacturer’s website for downloadable brochures or information packages to see whether they provide a comparison of the printer’s gamut.
Colours that are densely pigmented have a high ink density. Samples produced with different ink sets should be compared for their ink density. Take delta readings of the black ink density from black and white photographs if you have access to a densitometer.
2. The size and speed capability
Finding out what sizes are most in demand is a good place to begin. Get in touch with your clientele and find out what sizes they’re looking for if you could provide them larger prints. In order to choose the most popular print size, it is recommended to check out the various online possibilities amongst printers and copiers for sale.
Since wider printers can typically accommodate longer and heavier rolls, these savings can accumulate over time (versus printing sheets or shorter roll lengths).
While striving to meet a daily or weekly output goal, speed is a crucial factor that cannot be ignored. Always remember that higher print speeds usually equate to lower picture resolution, so seek out printers and copiers for sale that can print at higher speeds without sacrificing quality.
3. Check the different media that can be accommodated
Get a complete inventory of all the paper you use for printing. Now, add the forms of expression you plan to use going forward to that list. Choose a printer that can handle all the media types you intend to use, as newer printers have increased support for third-party media.
Some photo printers may be more suited for that purpose, while others may be more suitable for outdoor signs or temporary graphics. Is it possible for you to identify the tools and materials that other printmakers in your target market use?
Another factor to think about is the thickness of the media you intend to print on; this information may be found in the printer’s specs. If you have access to a working printer, observe how it deals with different types of paper.
4. Check how user-friendly the machine is
The necessity of usability might be overlooked in favour of fancy features and technical jargon. Less time is wasted on learning how to use and fixing a user-friendly printer. More than one person will be using the printer, thus minimising any room for error in the printer’s configuration can help keep production running smoothly.
With careful consideration of the factors listed above, your printer and copier shopping experience should be smooth.
