All you need to know about multifunction printers

A multifunction printer (MFP) is a device that combines the functionality and features of a printer, copier, scanner and fax machine into one comprehensive machine. Multifunction printers are fast becoming a common choice for budget-minded organisations looking to consolidate resources, cut costs and improve workflow. Ideally suited for the small or home office, multifunction printers can be incredibly beneficial to companies looking to increase productivity and flexibility. Considering that one of the easiest ways of reducing expenditure for a business is to buy less equipment while still producing quality work, the easiest place to start would be investing in a multifunction printer.

Multifunction printers combine various unique functions from a number of typical office machines to form a piece of equipment that can execute all the tasks of each individual device. The quality of a multifunction printer’s output is directly relative to the quality of the printer. But how do you know which multifunction printer is the ideal machine for your home or business setup? There are a number of features to investigate before buying an MFP for your home or office.

Multifunction printer types

It is important to know which type of multifunction printer to buy. Although each offers benefits for your home or office, it is advisable to investigate which type will be the most advantageous for your intended output.

• Laser printing technology operates in a similar manner to that of a photocopier. Laser MFPs produce top-quality documents owing to their ability to print at high resolution; they also function considerably faster than an inkjet printer. Fonts and images appear smoother and clearer when printed using a laser multifunction printer, making it ideal for organisations or individuals seeking to print quality text documents at high speeds.
• Inkjet printing technology is best suited for colour printing. Multifunction printers that utilise inkjet technology are usually cheaper than laser MFPs but tend to be more expensive per page printed. If you’re looking to print photographs, an inkjet MFP is ideal as it produces images with excellent colour clarity and brightness. Colour inkjet MFPs are considerably less expensive than their laser counterparts; however, the costly ink cartridges need to be replaced fairly often, depending on the frequency of their use.

Multifunction printer speeds

The speed of a multifunction printer considerably affects its cost. Many low-end multifunction printers are slower when it comes to print and copy speeds, especially if they are colour MFPs. A high speed MFP will influence workflow positively, allowing you to print larger amounts of documents at a faster rate. It is always a good idea to buy the fastest multifunction printer possible while staying within your budget.

Multifunction printer memory

When it comes to faxing, printing, or copying documents, a lack of memory in a multifunction printer becomes extremely noticeable and can be detrimental to a business’s workflow. While 8MB of memory is adequate for home office or small office use, if you often work with large documents or have multiple users utilising the MFP simultaneously, you should only consider multifunction printers that have at least 16MB of memory or more.

Multifunction printer resolution

The higher the dpi (dots per inch) output of a multifunction printer, the higher the document quality. This is most noticeable with images. Standard resolutions are sufficient for most types of printing, but for exceptional for image quality, find a MFP that has a high output resolution. Special attention should be paid to the scanner resolution as scanner quality for multifunction printers is often low.

Multifunction printer automatic document feeders

It is a good idea to purchase a multifunction printer with an automatic document feeder. These supply the MFP with sheets of paper without you having to, effectively increasing productivity and output volume. When it comes to automated feeders, size and volume is a big factor. Be sure to get a multifunction printer that has a feeder that holds at least 50 sheets of paper.

Multifunction printer fax functions

Multifunction printers that include fax functions have integrated modems of 33 Kbps which means that your faxes will take less time on your phone line and reduce provider charges. Many multifunction printers also offer colour faxing, fax broadcasting, and group dialing. If you’re looking for an MFP with faxing capability, make sure that the multifunction printer you choose has these features.

Multifunction printers from Pansolutions

Once you’ve explored the options and features offered by multifunction printers, you can determine which type and model would best suit your home or office setup. Contact Pansolutions for more information about multifunction printers