High-quality prints are essential for businesses that rely on documents for presentations, marketing, and customer communication. If your current printer is producing smudgy, faded, or low-quality prints, then you might be ready to find a new one that produces higher-quality documents. Keep reading to learn how to find a quality printer for your office.

Understand Your Printing Needs

Before selecting a printer, consider the types of documents or images you’ll be printing. Different types of printers excel at different types of prints. If you’re more concerned about printing high-resolution images and graphics, an inkjet printer is the type you’ll want. However, if you’re more worried about your text documents having crisp, clear, un-smudged lines, then a laser printer is the better option.

Look at the Printer’s Resolution

Printer resolution is measured in dots per inch (DPI), and is a key factor in print quality. A higher DPI value generally results in sharper, clearer, and more detailed prints. For text printing, you’ll want to look for a DPI of 600 x 600 at least. If you’re printing photos, look for a  printer with a minimum of 1200 x 1200 DPI.

Check Ink or Toner Quality

The type of ink (for inkjet) or toner (for laser) that a printer uses significantly impacts the quality of the prints. Inkjet printers use liquid ink, which is best for vibrant photos and graphics, while laser printers use toner for crisp text and professional-looking documents. For inkjets in particular, look for a printer that offers pigment-based inks; these are more resistant to water and fading in your prints.

Evaluate Color Accuracy

If you need very precise color reproduction—for example, if you’re a photographer or designer—then the color accuracy of your printer is essential. Look for a printer that supports a wide color spectrum with advanced color management features. Printers with multiple color cartridges beyond the standard CMYK will produce more accurate and more vivid colors.

Test Before You Buy

Even after reading all the stats on a printer, it’s difficult to know exactly how well a printer is going to perform without testing it. If possible, visit a showroom or a store where you can test out the printer before you purchase it, so you can examine the quality of the prints yourself. Make sure you’re printing a document similar to the type of printing you’ll be doing in the office, so you can get an accurate comparison to how the printer will perform for you on a daily basis. This is the most essential step when it comes to finding quality office machines in Fairbanks, AK.