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Types of Printers

Types of Printers

Take a look at the guide below to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of printers on the market, from laser printers to inkjet and everything in between.

Business Use Printers

Transform your office efficiency with cutting-edge office printers designed for peak performance.

Laser Printers

The laser printer was developed by Xerox in the 1960s when the idea of using a laser to draw images onto a copier drum was first considered. Laser printers are still widely used in large offices as they are traditionally more efficient than inkjet printers.

Pros
  • More cost effective than inkjet printers
  • Increases productivity
  • High print speed3
  • Higher paper capacity
  • Often expandable with Paper Trays, finishers etc.
  • Grows with your business
Cons
  • May require short ‘warm-up times’
  • Larger footprint
  • High voltage usage leads to small carbon emissions

We recommend: Xerox B225 A4 Mono Multifunction Laser Printer

Why it’s the best?

The Xerox B225 is the perfect office printer – a quiet, compact, all-in-one solution with 34ppm mono print speeds. It excels with features like fast 6.4 seconds first-page print and versatile connectivity options, including USB, Network, Wireless, and Wi-Fi Direct. Compatible with mobile print apps like Apple AirPrint and Mopria Alliance, it’s ideal for a busy office.

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LED Printers

LED printers are similar to laser printers but use a light emitting diode rather than a laser to create images on the print drum or belt. Due to their fewer moving parts – LED printers are often considered more efficient and reliable than laser printers. Our most popular LED printers are produced by OKI.

Pros
  • Reliable and efficient
  • Cheaper to manufacture than laser printers
  • Often include free warranty extensions
Cons
  • None

We recommend: Xerox VersaLink C7000dn A3 Colour LED Laser Printer

Why it’s the best?

The Xerox Versalink is a high-quality, reliable machine with a streamlined design and reliable performance with impressive 1200 x 2400 dpi and 35 ppm in color, black and white. It has a simple ID system for easy access and job management anywhere. Versatile connectivity with Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Xerox Print, Service Plug-in for Android, and Wi-Fi. Your all-in-one printing solution.

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Solid Ink Printers

Solid ink printers utilise a unique form of ink technology, designed to save space and money on packaging. The printers melt solid ink sticks during the printing process – a method that can help produce more vibrant tones.

Pros
  • Environmentally-friendly
  • Produces vibrant tones
  • Made from non-toxic vegetable oils
  • Compact design
  • Consumables require less storage
Cons
  • Requires warm-up and cool-down time
  • Prints cannot be laminated

Business Inkjet Printers

Utilising inkjet technology on a large scale to accommodate the needs of a busy office with heavy reliance on printed output, inkjet printers are enduringly popular due to their reliability and robust nature.

Pros
  • Capable of producing highly detailed and photo-realistic prints
  • Limited warm-up time required
  • Small footprint
Cons
  • Higher cost-per-page than most laser printers
  • Wet prints
  • Can be less reliable than laser printers

We recommend: HP Officejet Pro 9010e

Why it’s the best?

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9010e is a groundbreaking smart printer designed for maximum productivity. With time-saving shortcuts, two-sided scanning/printing, and seamless smartphone connections, it ensures superior security. Smart Tasks streamline jobs, and the 250-sheet tray, plus automatic double-sided features, minimize wastage. With a speed of up to 22ppm, it delivers efficient results. HP+ technology ensures instant ink ordering, enhanced security, and broader device compatibility. Prioritizing security, it offers HP Smart notifications, chatbot support, and self-healing WiFi connectivity, ensuring a reliable printing experience.

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Business Ink Tank Printers

For demanding offices, business ink tank printers provide a robust and efficient solution to both reduce waste and your office’s printing costs. With an ink tank solution built to last for the lifetime of the printer, business ink-tanks reduce the hassle of replacement cartridges and provide a simple long-term solution to keep outages to a minimum, increasing your productivity.

Pros
  • Ultra-Low Running Costs
  • Eco Friendly
  • Less down-time than with cartridges
  • Robust and reliable
Cons
  • Slightly higher up-front cost
  • Requires simple but manual refilling of ink tanks

We recommend: Epson EcoTank ET-16600

Why it’s the best?

The Epson EcoTank ET-16600: A3+ printer that does it all – print, copy, scan, and fax. Ideal for any business, it’s compatible with Windows and Mac. Enjoy wireless printing from anywhere, including on-the-go with your smartphone or tablet using mobile printing technology and the Epson iPrint2 app.

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Home Use Printers

Elevate your home productivity with state-of-the-art home printers engineered for optimal performance.

Home Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are one of the most common types of printers used in both professional and domestic settings. Developed in the 1950s, inkjet printing technology is still hugely popular today due to its numerous advantages and minimal drawbacks.

Pros
  • Capable of producing photo-realistic prints
  • Practically no warm-up time
  • Small footprint
Cons
  • High running costs (Cost per page)
  • Slow print speeds
  • Sometimes produce erroneous empty cartridge warnings
  • Prone to clogging
  • Wet prints

We recommend: Epson Workforce Pro WF-3820

Why it’s the best?

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF A4 Color Multifunction Inkjet Printer is a high-quality, cost-efficient solution for home and office printing needs. With fast speeds up to 35ppm for mono prints, a 35-page A4 automatic document feeder, and PrecisionCore printhead technology, it delivers laser-like prints in both color and black and white. Cost-effective individual inks provide yields of up to 1,100 pages, saving money in the long run. This printer supports wireless printing, Wi-Fi direct, and access to Epson’s free mobile printing apps for versatile and collaborative working. Its user-friendly interface, featuring a 6.8cm touch screen, ensures easy operation.

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Multifunction Printers

Sometimes known as all-in-one printers, multifunction printers are often capable of performing printing, copying, scanning, and faxing tasks. This can simplify the completion of multiple tasks within an office or domestic environment, with no need for more than one unit.

Pros
  • More cost efficient than buying multiple devices
  • More compact than buying multiple devices
  • Perform numerous tasks simultaneously
  • More power efficient than the implementation of numerous devices
Cons
  • Can restrict usage time available for larger workgroups

We recommend: Xerox C315

Why it’s the best?

Perfect for small work teams, the Xerox C315 A4 Colour Multifunction Laser Printer is a highly dependable printer that copies, prints, scans and faxes documents. Designed with comprehensive security features, this durable colour multifunction printer is ideal for small and medium businesses looking for a reliable and trustworthy printer for everyday use.

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All-In-One Inkjet Printers

Combining the technology of inkjet printing with the functionality of a multifunction printer: all-in-one inkjet printers are capable of providing full service to a busy office environment whilst retaining the high-quality prints that inkjet is known for.

Pros
  • High quality printed output
  • Cost efficient and compact alternative to buying numerous machines
  • Power efficient
Cons
  • Wet prints
  • High running costs

Low-Cost Inkjet Printers

Combining the high-quality print capabilities of inkjet technology with lower cost-per page functionality: low cost inkjet printers are well-suited to professional and domestic users working on a budget.

Pros
  • Lower cost-per-page production
  • Quick warm-up time
  • Capable of producing fine, smooth, photo-realistic prints
Cons
  • Potentially wet prints

Home Ink Tank Printers

Home Ink tank printers offer a huge new step in the world of inkjet printer technology. Gone are the days of expensive replacement cartridges and in comes ultra-low cost printing via refillable ink tanks via eco-efficient ink bottles. Once your reservoirs are empty, just use the mess-free bottles of ink to refill and carry on printing.

Pros
  • Ultra-Low Running Costs
  • Eco Friendly
  • One set of bottles provide up to 72 cartridges worth of ink
  • Less down-time than with cartridges
Cons
  • Slightly higher up-front cost
  • Requires simple but manual refilling of ink tanks

We recommend: Epson EcoTank ET-2814

Why it’s the best?

Upgrade to the Epson EcoTank ET-2814 and ditch cartridges for good. Save time and money with refillable ink tanks, easy-to-fill bottles, and ultra-low cost per page. Print up to 4,500 black and white or 7,500 color pages with one set of ink bottles. Enjoy wireless connectivity, a compact design, and simplify your experience with the Epson Smart Panel app. Embrace energy efficiency and product longevity with Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology. Make printing hassle-free with the EcoTank ET-2814.

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Other Printers

Dot Matrix Printers

Dot matrix printers are the oldest established type of printers still available on the market. Images and text are drawn out in tiny dots when a print head strikes an ink-soaked cloth against the paper in the required pattern or formation.

Pros
  • Low initial unit costs
  • Low running costs
  • Low maintenance costs
  • Able to perform in hot and dirty conditions
Cons
  • Low resolution printed output
  • Noisy

We recommend: Epson LX-350

Why it’s the best?

The Epson LX-350 9 Pin Dot Matrix printer stands out for its exceptional cost-effectiveness, boasting a 4 million character ribbon yield and low power consumption. With versatile connectivity through USB, Parallel, and Serial interfaces, it seamlessly integrates into your existing system. Its compact design ensures a neat fit on desks, complemented by a cable management system for a tidy workspace.

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A3 Printers

Capable of printing on A3 sheets, A3 printers are well-suited to business and domestic settings which require larger scale prints. A3 printers often have options to produce other sized prints and have numerous input trays, simplifying the process. They’re also available with both laser and inkjet technology.

Pros
  • Larger print size
  • Wider range of options
  • Allows you to bring outsource print-runs back in-house
Cons
  • Higher initial cost
  • Larger footprint

We recommend: Epson WorkForce WF-7840

Why it’s the best?

The Epson WF-7840DTWF A3+ Color Multifunction Inkjet Printer is a compact office solution for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. Weighing just over 20 kilograms, it features a 10.9cm color touch screen, automatic double-sided printing, and a monthly capacity of up to 2,500 pages. Compatible with Windows and Mac, it supports various paper sizes, has two 250-sheet input trays, and delivers professional color prints at up to 4,800 x 2,400 dpi. With automatic double-sided scanning, fax capabilities, Epson Connect, and versatile connectivity, this printer is ideal for both offices and home offices.

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3D Printers

One of the most exciting developments in printing technology history, 3D printing is becoming more affordable for professional and domestic users. Modern 3D printers are capable of producing 3D objects and items using high quality resin.

Pros
  • 3D prints
  • Limitless possibilities
  • Capacity for full customisation
Cons
  • High initial costs
  • High resin costs
  • Still developing technology

Mobile Printers

Portable mobile printers are now in common use for those spending time away from the office or on-the-road. By offering battery power within a small, portable solution, you can connect and print, scan and even copy from almost any location whilst you’re out and about.

Pros
  • Compact and portable
  • Long battery life
  • Flexible connectivity options
Cons
  • Can contain fewer features than traditional desktop printers
  • Requires charging for full portability

We recommend: HP OfficeJet 250

Why it’s the best?

The HP OfficeJet 250: a 3kg portable A4 printer and scanner combo for mobile workers. Tough matte plastic, 6.7cm touchscreen, WiFi Direct, AirPrint, and Bluetooth LE support for wireless printing from PC or smartphone via the HP Smart app. Lithium-ion battery for on-the-go printing, quick recharge in 2 hours, up to 10 pages per minute, 20-second scans, and versatile document handling. Despite higher print costs, the OfficeJet 250’s portability and large ink cartridges make it a top pick.

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Label Printers

Our range of handheld, desktop and portable label printers provide a simple solution for home-users and business to easily print customised labels on paper, or durable plastic for every labelling need.

Pros
  • Plug and Play
  • Unique continuous label rolls
  • Space saving design
  • Automatic cutting options save time
Cons
  • Limited to small volumes compared to label sheets

We recommend: Brother QL-700

Why it’s the best?

Print labels in a snap with the Brother QA-700, producing up to 93 labels per minute. The automatic cutter ensures durability, and pre-sized labels cater to various needs. Choose continuous printing, preview on your computer to avoid text issues, and save desk space with its compact design. Budget-friendly with direct thermal print tech, it’s user-friendly and your go-to for hassle-free label printing.

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