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What Should I Consider When Buying a Photocopier?

By Garry Crystal
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 53,299
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In every business, there is one piece of equipment that is in constant daily use: the photocopier. The photocopier is one of the best selling office utilities, and until the day we have the paperless office, it will continue to be so. A good photocopier can be an aid to your business in many ways. There are a number of checkpoints to look out for when considering which photocopier will best meet your requirements.

They type of photocopier you will need depends on the volume and type of copying you do each day. You may only require a small number of documents to be copied, such as accounts or bills to be sent out, or you may need to copy higher volumes of print such as mailshots. Photocopiers come in a variety of sizes and copy speeds vary, but most copiers have some basic functions that are universal.

Photocopiers use a light lens to duplicate documents; the original technology is analog, although digital copiers are becoming popular. Digital photocopiers enable the user to print color copies by converting the visual data on the original document into computer code. The computer code then programs the laser printer that creates the final copy.

The clarity of the copy depends on the resolution of the photocopier. The resolution of the photocopier determines the quality and sharpness of an image. This is measured in dots per inch (DPI). Photocopiers with 500 DPI have 500 x 500 dots per square inch. Many copiers can offer an extremely high resolution, but these are only useful for such people as designers, who need very detailed prints.

The number of copies you make each day should determine the size of the photocopier you are considering. If your photocopier is in constant use each day, then you should consider a copier with a large capacity tray. These larger trays can hold in excess of 1,000 sheets and are useful to avoid constantly refilling the copier. Most copiers hold up to 1,000 sheets, which is adequate for the moderate user.

If your business creates documents that need to be bound, you should look out for the image shift feature. This allows the user to adjust the image for binding. You should also be aware that some machines have stapling and collating capabilities that you can adjust to work automatically.

Another point to look out for is the pages per minute function. This determines how many pages your copier prints per minute. The higher the number of pages, the quicker your copier speed will be. If you need documents to be enlarged or reduced, look out for the enlargement/reduction and zoom functions.

The amount of features a photocopier can have varies greatly. Modern multifunctional photocopiers can also act as fax machines, digital storage devices and computer scanners, with information stored on a hard disk. The photocopier can be linked to your office’s computer network so that you can print directly from your computer without leaving your seat. The most important thing to remember is size. If you have a small office, don’t go for an industrial sized photocopier, unless you want it to function as your office desk as well.

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Discussion Comments
By anon229455 — On Nov 14, 2011

A really good company I used to sort our new photocopier was e-solutions. They're based in Gloucestershire but they do service and sell across the UK. We're based in Manchester and I think we're had one or two problems and they were there within two hours to fix the issue. Hope that helps.

By wander — On May 22, 2011

For those who are buying a photocopier I would make sure to get the extended warranty and service plan. Photocopiers at a busy office get a lot of use and you really want one that has a support line that can send a technician to fix any issues you might have with your machines.

While a photocopier is under warranty you can easily get replacement parts and you can be more secure that your investment is protected.

Most office photocopiers can run into the thousands of dollars. Good maintenance and care is very important to getting the most out of its lifespan.

By MrSmirnov — On May 20, 2011

If you have a small business or are working from home buying a photocopier doesn't have to be an expensive purchase. There are now personal photocopiers that you can buy for only a few hundred dollars from most large office supply stores.

These photocopies are portable and can easily fit on your desktop, and are similar in size to a large scanner. While they don't have the speed of a traditional photocopier, they warm up fast and provide copies suitable for text and simple prints.

Usually theses copiers can handle legal size paper, as well as the most common A4 size. If you shop around you may be able to find one that offers additional sizing options.

Be aware that the cartridges are still pricey, running around $100 a pop. You should make sure to put this into your budget.

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