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If you own a small business, you have printing and copying needs that are unique to you and your office. Of course, the purchase of a copier — or better yet, consolidating with a multifunctional printer — is integral to keeping your business successful. With the number of options and features available now, the decision on which device best suits your business can be overwhelming, so here is the next step in the discussion of what to consider when it’s time to invest in a small business copier:
Versatility
For the amount of money you are investing in your copier, you want a machine that is versatile and can handle anything your business throws at it. At some point, you will likely need to do more than just copy papers, but also index cards, book pages and other heavier media. Look for a copier with a flatbed copying surface, not just a paper feed so you can copy anything and everything your business needs.
You will also need a machine that does more than just copy. A multifunctional printer can do all your copying and more. Consider an MFP that can not only copy, but also scan, print and even fax if that is important to you. With the features available for MFPs, you will be able to find the exact model to accommodate everything your office needs.
Colour needs
The decision between black and white or colour printing and copier depends solely on your business. Colour printing and copying takes longer, requires more ink or toner and the copier is more expensive both up front and in the long run. However, colour copies are essential if your business will be printing promotional material or even presentations for clients. Colour prints look more professional and eye-catching. If you are only going to be printing and copying memos and paperwork, go with a black and white-only MFP or copier, but if you need anything beyond that, go with a colour option.
Paper handling and response time
If your MFP isn’t saving you time, what’s the point? If you have a copier or printer that has a single sheet paper feed or a paper tray that isn’t big enough to hold enough paper for a few days’ work, you are losing time and it is defeating the purpose. To make sure you have an efficient copier, invest in a machine that has a paper tray that can hold at least 250 sheets of paper to save you the time of refilling your machine three times a day.
Office equipment can also be notorious for long warm up times, which means a long wait. Try to find a machine with a short warm up time of around one minute for larger devices so you can get working right away.
Money saving features
A higher-end MFP comes with a large initial price, but it will also boast features that make up for that upfront investment. Look for a machine that allows duplexing; that is, a printer that allows double-sided printing. This can quite literally cut your paper costs in half. Also find a device that allows you to switch from colour printing to strictly black and white by default to help save in toner costs. Finding the features needed for your specific business can cut costs for your office budget, all it takes is a little research to find the right printer.
We understand that office equipment is a major investment for a small business, but it is also an important one to bring your business to the next level. BrockOA has been helping businesses small and large find the right equipment since 1990. Let us help you find the right copier to lessen your work load, make tedious tasks seem easy and bring innovation into your office.
