What to Think About When Choosing a New Photocopier

Choosing a new photocopier for your business is an important decision to make, regardless of the type of business you run or the size. There is a lot to think about, from the main use of the printer to special features you want to have. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you start shopping around for a photocopier.

What functions do you want it to perform?

This might depend on the size of your office and exactly what type of business you do. If you are getting a photocopier for the accounting department, the majority of your printing is likely text-based and mostly black and white. You probably don't need a fancy photocopier that is going to print vivid colours and photographs. However, you might want a machine that makes copies and prints at the same time. On the other hand, if it will be the main photocopier for your entire office, you might not want a multifunctional machine, because if one person is copying, another person has to wait in order to print or fax documents. In this case, it is better to have separate machines for each individual function.

How fast do you need the machine to work?

Another consideration is exactly how fast you need the printer to be. If you don't have a lot of copying and printing tasks due to having a small office, you may not be as picky about the speed. This makes a traditional deskjet printer and photocopier machine ideal. If you are a high-volume business that does a lot of copying of documents throughout the day, go for a laserjet machine. It costs a little more, but you will be happy you have the faster speeds.

Are you concerned about energy used?

If you are concerned about being a green business and using as little energy as possible, then look for a photocopier that doesn't have a long stand-by mode. This is when the photocopier remains completely turned on and ready to use even if it has been a while since any buttons have been pushed. Look for a photocopier that goes into sleep mode, similar to a computer, when it isn't in use. This allows it to use the least amount of energy possible.

Do you want a backup feature?

Some of the more advanced photocopiers and printers now have a data backup feature where everything you copy or print is automatically saved to the machine's hard drive. Not everyone likes this feature since it can be a security risk if you are copying or printing confidential documents. However, it is handy if you lose valuable paperwork.

Keep these features and questions in mind next time you're looking at photocopier sales to find one for your business.

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