There are many different printers on the market, making it overwhelming to choose the right one. If you often need to print large sizes of paper such as A3 which is twice as large as A4, chances are you need an A3 size printer. If you're a first-time buyer, here are some basic things to help you choose your printer.
What's an A3 Printer?
A3 printers are designed for printing on A3 paper, which is twice the size of A4 paper. This larger size allows for more visually appealing prints, with higher resolutions for cleaner images. A3 printers are often faster due to their larger print area, more powerful motors, or additional printheads. This means you can produce high-quality posters, banners, and other large documents quickly. Using an A3 printer can improve your business' image with professional-looking documents and boost office productivity, especially if you choose a multi-function printer.
MFD and MFP - Multi-Function Devices and Printers
A lot of A3 printers have extra features like scanning, copying, and faxing. These features can come in handy if you need to do these tasks often. When you're choosing an A3 size printer with multiple functions, here are some things to consider:
• Scanning capabilities - this means the printer's ability to scan documents and images at a high resolution. Some printers can scan directly to a computer, while others can scan to a memory card or USB drive.
• Copying functions - refer to the printer's ability to make copies of documents. Some printers can copy multiple documents at once, while others can only copy one at a time.
• Faxing options- are about the printer's ability to send and receive faxes. Some printers can only send faxes, while others can do both.
• Wireless printing - with this feature, you can print from your devices without needing to connect them directly to the printer.
• Cloud printing - this allows you to print from your devices even when you're not connected to the printer's network.
• Document management and workflow integration - this is useful for businesses that handle a lot of documents. It means the printer can work with document management software and workflow applications to help manage large volumes of documents.
How to Choose A3 Printer for Your Office?
Laser or Inkjet
Laser printers are typically faster and deliver crisper prints compared to inkjet printers. They are also durable and can handle higher printing volumes. However, they do come with a higher price tag. Inkjet printers are more budget-friendly, but they are slower and may not produce prints as sharp as laser printers. They are also less durable and may not be suitable for high printing volumes.
Print Quality Basics
Resolution and DPI (Dots Per Inch)
When selecting a printer, the resolution and DPI are crucial factors to consider. This refers to the number of dots that can be printed on each inch. A higher resolution means that the printer can produce sharper and more detailed images.
Colour Management and Image and Graphic Handling
The printer's ability to accurately reproduce colours is known as colour management. A reliable colour management system ensures that your prints look their absolute best. Image and graphic handling pertains to the printer's capability to print images and graphics seamlessly, without any distortion.
Print Speed and Efficiency
• Printing Speed - this is how many pages the printer can churn out in a minute. If you have a heavy workload, you'll want a printer with a high printing speed.
• Duty cycle - this is the number of pages a printer can handle within a specific time frame. A higher duty cycle means the printer can manage larger printing tasks.
• Processing power - this is all about how fast the printer can handle images and graphics. A speedy processor enables the printer to handle complex documents without any lag.
Paper Handling and Media Options
• Paper size and weight compatibility - this refers to the types of paper that the printer can handle. Some printers can only handle standard paper sizes, while others can handle larger or smaller sizes. Additionally, some printers are capable of handling heavier or lighter paperweights.
• Specialty media handling - this refers to the printer's capability to handle specialty media, like glossy paper or photo paper.
• Duplex and finishing options - this refers to the printer's ability to print on both sides of the paper and add finishing touches to prints, such as stapling or folding.
Connectivity and Compatibility
• Networking capabilities - refers to the printer's ability to connect to a network. It comes in handy if you need to print from multiple computers or devices.
• Software integration - this refers to the printer's ability to work with various software programs. It can be useful if you need to print from a specific program.
• Mobile printing - this is the printer's ability to print from mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It's great if you need to print documents on the go.
Consider Your Budget and Requirements
These printers can vary in price from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. It's essential to establish a budget before you start shopping. Before buying it, consider how frequently do you need to print large documents. Also, what kinds of documents do you need to print? Consider if you need a printer with scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities. Are wireless or cloud printing capabilities necessary for you?
