Print, scan, copy, and fax with ease by choosing the right Inkjet Printer.
Not all inkjet printers are created equally. So, whether you are in the market for a new printer or are trying to compare your options between an inkjet and a laser printer, we are here to help.
When it comes to the features of an inkjet printer, specifically an all-in-one printer, it is common to get quickly overwhelmed. Do you need to be able to scan? How much paper should your printer be able to hold? Do you really need to worry about printing speed?
Take a deep breath. We are here to help outline the top seven features you should be on the lookout for when shopping for inkjet printers. Just remember, your needs might not be the same as everyone else’s, so consider your unique needs, budget, and printing habits.
7 Key Features of Inkjet Printers
The most significant difference between laser printers and inkjet printers is that inkjet printers can be used for various applications, where laser printers are designed to print large quantities of primarily text-based documents in a quick and efficient manner.
Inkjet printers are more versatile in that they can be used in small office settings, home use settings, or even in more artistic settings. The unique advantages of inkjet printers are making them extremely popular for many uses, and printer innovations are only further improving the capabilities of all-in-one inkjet printers.
So, while your needs might be a little unique, below are seven of the most popular features of inkjet printers that you should be on the lookout for when shopping for a new device.
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Image Quality and Color - One of the biggest reasons to invest in an inkjet printer over a laser printer is image quality. Inkjet technology enables the exact placement of ink dots with resolutions of up to 1440x1440 dots per inch. The higher the resolution, the more detailed a printed image will be in terms of shading and color reproduction. If high-quality photos and graphics are a priority, you can’t go wrong with an inkjet printer.
Corresponding with quality is the color resolution. Investing in a high-quality inkjet printer will produce extremely bright and vivid colors with spectacular tone and shading. All-in-one printers have the capacity to support assorted photo paper sizes, including 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10 prints to give you the best quality photo with the highest resolution and color.
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Scanning Features - Even if you think you don’t need a scanner on your printer, we recommend getting one. You just never know when you will need to make a copy of something or send documents quickly and efficiently.
Inkjet printers feature scanners with a variety of features. Some have the ability to scan double-sided documents at once. Some can scan documents at high resolutions, and others can scan items that are odd shapes or sizes. When it comes to built-in scanners, look for ones that have a higher DPI (dots per inch) and scanner bit depth. It will produce crisper and sharper images when scanned.
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Print Speeds - If you don’t print often, printer speed might not be a major deciding factor for you, but if you are using your inkjet printer in a home office or small business setting, you need speed and quality. Entry-level inkjet printers are designed to print about 20-30 pages per minute in black and white. Color printouts can take significantly longer to produce.
Along with printer speeds come capacity considerations. If you plan to print documents frequently, especially in color, you will go through ink at a much higher rate. While you may save money initially by choosing an entry-level inkjet printer, you may pay the price for it later. High-quality all-in-one inkjet printers are designed to handle larger print cartridges that last longer and reduce your overhead costs.
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Wireless and Network Connectivity - Although these are fourth on our list, they are probably the two most important features to consider when buying an inkjet printer. If a multi-functional printer will be used by several devices, you need to find a printer that offers an integrated Ethernet network interface. If you plan to use your printer strictly for home use, you may not need something quite as technical.
In terms of wireless connectivity, it will be a rare occurrence that you are using a wired connection for your printer. You will be printing from your phone while cooking in the kitchen, printing from your laptop while having a conference call, or printing photos from your iPad while helping your kid with homework. You need a printer to receive commands from all of your devices and so having wireless network capability is a necessity.
- Duplex Printing - If conservation is important to you or you are trying to keep budgets low, duplex printing is something that shouldn’t be ignored. Many inkjet printers feature this option to print anything from custom reports to medical forms on both sides of a sheet of paper. If this is important to you, be sure to check that the model you are shopping for offers this unique and beneficial feature.
- Paper Format - You might assume all printers offer a variety of paper size options. While this is becoming more standard on ink-jet printers, you will always want to research this before purchasing. Depending on your home or small business needs, you may need to print photos in various sizes or print on legal-sized paper. Some expensive inkjet printer options even have separate scanner feed trays on top to help you stay organized. Be sure to think about the paper sizes that you will be printing most often and find a printer that offers a variety of paper format sizes.
- Size and Shape - This is an often overlooked feature of inkjet printers, but it’s an important one. Many laser printers can be bulky and oversized. Inkjet printers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. If you are dealing with a small space, you will want to find a compact version to accommodate your needs. If you are using your printer in a home office, you might want to invest in a larger model with all the bells and whistles you need to keep your day-to-day operations running smoothly.
Who Can Benefit From an Inkjet Printer?
Inkjet printers are ideal for photographers because they offer the highest photo-quality printing options on the market and can offer stunning images with vivid colors and a variety of size options.
Inkjet printers are ideal for families or home use because they are versatile to adapt to changing needs and are budget-friendly. With versatile functions and various sizes, all-in-one printers can accommodate homework, art projects, home office needs, and general printing functions in a way a laser printer never can.
Inkjet printers are ideal for small businesses because they can handle multiple in-house printing needs without paying to outsource them. They also feature scanners, fax machines, and double-sided printing options to help cut costs and build efficiencies.
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