The search for the ideal large format inkjet printer takes some effort. Purchasing a printer can be simple by focusing on these 5 factors.

Are you looking for a large format inkjet printer and don't know how to start? Are you planning to replace the one you currently have? Do you need some advice on what to search for?

Here are 5 points to keep in mind when buying printing equipment.

1. Image Quality

The quality of your images will differ depending on the market you are looking to target. These are some points to consider:

Resolution- Printers that can produce a minimum of 1200dpi resolution for printing would be suitable for fine photography and reproduction well. Most printers have many resolution settings, so be sure to find one with a broad range of capabilities in regards to print resolution (an example would be 360dpi - 2880dpi, covering various modes in between).

Color gamut- Some printers have improved ink sets that allow for a greater range of colors. Sometimes, brochures for printers and information kits contain gamut comparisons. You can look up the downloads that are available on the manufacturer's website. Downloading the ICC profiles from the manufacturer for your printer is another method to determine the achievable gamut. When you Soft-Proof an ICC profile on the screen, you can visually check the range of colors the printer is able to reproduce, without shifting hues (shift will vary depending on your rendering intent).

Density- The density of ink translates into deep, rich vivid colors. Different inks may have various ink densities. It is crucial to test printed samples. If you have Densitometers, you should take black and white pictures and take delta readings of the black ink density. This can be a great indication of which ink set is able to produce higher density.

2. Size & Speed

The size of your printer will be determined by the size of images you would like to provide. Do you have a 17'' wide printer and are not sure whether to invest in an additional 24'' or upgrade to 44"? If you are unable to answer that question, then let your customers assist!

This will help you identify the most well-known sizes. Ask your customers which sizes they would be most interested in if you had larger print capabilities. You can look up the most well-known sizes on the web and get an idea of what they look like.

3. News Handling

Make a list of all the media you use to print. Include the media you'd like to print on to this list. Modern printers are equipped for third-party media, so choose one that is capable of handling anything you throw at it! Certain printers are more suited to photography while others can handle graphic images for short periods and outdoor signage. Are you aware of other printmakers that your customers are using?

4. Easy of Use

Sometimes, we get caught up in the specifications and features that we overlook the necessity of usability. A printer that is easy to use will reduce frustration and aid in troubleshooting. If there will be more than one user producing, it will be seamless if there is less guess using the printer and its settings. These questions will allow you to determine how easy it is to use the printer.

Are you able to easily unload media and load it?

Can it be used easily and comprehend the control panel of the printer?

Is the driver for your printer easy to set up and use?

How easy is it to implement custom ICC profiles or media settings?

What kind of control does the printer grant the user?

Are you able to show others how to use it.

Are you able to save your custom settings and other details to remember for printing jobs to come?

Do you have the ability to hit "Print" and then walk away?

5. Support

Support for products is often the most important factor when buying an printer. It can be frustrating to see a product fail to function properly. Find out which printers are supported before you purchase one.

Do you offer support via phone or email?

Is the technical support staff capable of responding quickly?

Are you connected an experienced or knowledgeable user?

Can I get third-party ICC profiles?

Are parts end-user replaceable? Are components that cannot be easily changed by the end-user easily can be replaced?

Are there instructional videos and other videos?

Are there alternatives or solutions to the known problems?

How long before my printer dies completely?

Whatever you want to print you can print it with a home printer that can do it. It isn't always easy to determine how to choose the right printer, given the numerous options available. To assist, we've put together an easy guide to selecting a home printer including simple explanations of a few of the most frequently used terms, as well as suggestions which will satisfy the majority of buyers.

Inkjet or laser?

The first question all printers must answer boils down to a simple matter of how much and what you intend to print. Inkjet printers utilize cartridges of ink which are applied to paper wet and quickly dry, whereas laser printers use toner, a type of dust ink that bonds with the paper for quick results and efficient utilization of resources. Check out Pen-technology website if you need details info concerning printer.

The majority of inkjet printers with color are popular because they can print anything from pie charts essays, glossy photographs, and even pie charts. The latest inkjet printers, including all-in-ones, are extremely efficient and print at speeds that are comparable to or higher than laser counterparts.

Laser printers are still the best option for office environments when the majority of the printing that you need to do is monochrome. For the most part the monochrome laser printers are able to be purchased at affordable prices, offer good print speed, and print at a cheaper cost per page than a color inkjet. You will have to decide whether you're willing to give up the flexibility of a color-inkjet printer. Color laser printers can be another option, but they usually cost more per page printed than an inkjet printer that is color.

The pages produced by laser printers are excellent. They can print between 3000 to 20,000 pages before needing to be replaced. On average, cartridges for inkjet printers will last between 2 to 2,500 pages. This isn't as important if you don't print much or frequently, but for prolific printers or people buying an office, it can be a significant difference.

Multifunction printers

A multifunction printer is a printer that is able to scan and fax aswell printing. They are available in both laser and inkjet versions and are usually called "all-in-ones" or multifunction printers (MFPs).

If you're looking to use it for home, a multifunction machine is an excellent choice, not only because it's cheaper than buying both a printer and standalone scanner as well as for the sake of saving space. Because all-in-ones are very common and manufacturers rarely charge much of a premium for them (you can often find some for as little as $50 to $60) we strongly recommend them for home users.

MFPs let you scan documents directly to your computer, while some even provide the possibility of faxing. Although they're more prevalent in offices but faxing isn't an extremely popular choice.

Printers for photos

If you're more interested in preserving photographs of your family on paper rather instead of printing pie charts and homework assignments think about a dedicated (single function) photo printer. While they aren't as flexible, they offer the same flexibility of multitaskers, their quality of the prints are typically better, often rivaling or exceeding the quality of what you would receive from kiosks or mail-order services. The cost you pay for this kind of convenience comes out through the cost of printing, however.

Printers intended to print graphics or photos are often small-sized units capable of printing images up to 4x6 inches. Wide format printers can print media as wide as 24 inches in width. The supplies for these printers tend to be more expensive than those for the typical multifunction printer. Canon and Epson both have models that can print up to 8.5x11 inches. They also employ up to six colors of ink to create photographs with greater accuracy in color. Many all-in-one printers are capable of printing images up to 8.5 by 11 inches in size when you choose the appropriate paper.