Should I Get A Color Or Black And White Multi-Function Printer?

Buying a multi-function printer is a big decision-making process for any company. There are multiple major brands, many of whom offer a wide selection of models. Where do you start? Narrowing down a few critical factors will make this process more straightforward. One of the first things you’ll have to decide is whether you need a black and white or color MFP.

How Often Do You Print In Color?

Assess your current printing and copying needs. How many color copies do you make each month? Do you need to print off large quantities of color documents for client meetings and presentations? These needs can vary significantly from one business to another.

If you make a limited number of color copies, you’re most likely better off buying a black and white MFP to handle large copy jobs and then buying a small color inkjet or laser printer for your color jobs. On the occasion you have a larger color job, you can outsource the work to a local printer. The money you spend on these outsourcing jobs may be less than the money that you would spend owning and maintaining a color MFP.

Whether you are using a color MFP or an inkjet or laser printer for your color copying needs, it is important to think about your use of color. For example, if you’re preparing a large packet for an upcoming conference, think about whether you need to include a color component on every page or if you can achieve the same effect by printing color graphics or text on a select number of pages. For example, a high quality color cover photo and a handful of color graphs or tables may be just fine.

Other Features To Consider

Many organizations get so caught up in a single feature of an MFP that they let it overpower other key factors in the purchasing decision. While black and white versus color may be your primary concern, there are other factors that you must take into consideration. Once you’ve made the decision about black and white or color, look at duty cycle, input capacity, output quality, connectivity (i.e. Wi-Fi), and total cost of ownership. You want to ensure the black and white or color MFP that you select meets your overall printing, copying, and scanning needs.

UCI is your one stop source in Amarillo for all of your MFP needs. We carry a wide selection of black and white and color MFPs and will work with your company to determine which model is the best fit for your printing and copying requirements. You’ll get the capacity that you need without going over budget. To learn more, give us a call today at 806-372-7722 or fill out our contact form.