Choosing the right kind of printer for your business can be challenging. Obviously, you want the best quality printing available; after all, the kind of printing you do does reflect on your business. You want the documents your business prints to be around for the long haul, which is why you should consider a laser printer verses an ink jet printer. Here are some reasons why…

• Laser printing print lasts longer than ink jet print…sometimes years longer;

• Laser print does not deteriorate over time;

• There is no risk of laser print smearing (as there is with ink jet printing);

• Volume printing on an ink jet printer is neither efficient or economical; previously outsourced print jobs can be done "in house" with a laser printer;

• When printing camera-ready artwork, the laser printer image is significantly clearer than with an ink jet;

• When considering your return-on-investment of a laser printer vs. an ink jet printer, the laser printer is more economical, because:

1. The per page cost is less with a laser printer;

2. Laser printers require less maintenance than ink jet printers;

3. The Laser printer "lifespan" is greater than that of the ink jet;

Finally, consider this scenario. Your client’s contract is printed with an ink jet printer. As you do with most of your important documents, you file it for future reference. Several months later, you retrieve that contract because there is a clause you need to review; only to find that the document, and all of the important information on it, is slowly disappearing, chip by chip, rendering it almost illegible.

While laser printers have been traditionally more expensive than their inkjet counterparts, savvy business owners recognize the extra expense as a worthwhile investment. Now, before purchasing a laser printer for your business, ponder the following:

• Assess your specific business printing needs. Resolution (dpi), print speed (ppm) and paper media compatibilities are the three primary categories by which laser printers are ranked. Yet, specific circumstances - like networking and printer sharing - may require specific demands: upgraded memory, rendering chips and printer server capabilities;

• Budget - Determine how much you/your business is willing to spend to get the printer that meets the majority of your needs;

• Research laser printers online. This is a free, accessible way to compare "like" printers, in your price range, side by side. Search web sites comparing different brands and models of laser printers in all price ranges. (This is also a great way to stay abreast of trends and technology!);

• Printer Ratings – While you are "comparison shopping", as suggested in the step above, look for each printer’s rating. (Most web sites use a rating system for consistency in their evaluations);

• Features and Functions - Compare the functions and features (as determined in assessing your business printing needs) of the laser printers you are considering. Key comparisons include image quality, printer speed, and network capability. These categories will give you a good idea of the printer’s quality and its ROI for your business;

• Read Reviews - Read customer reviews on each laser printer you are considering. Look for "real time" blogs, where you can ask specific questions from laser printer owners. (The best way to research online customer reviews is by typing in the brand name/model of the laser printer into a search engine.)

• Search the Stores - Call different electronics stores to find the best price on the printer you want. Ask about coupons, volume discounts, etc. Depending on the size of your business and how many printers you need, dealing directly with the manufacturer can be the best way to find package deals on more than one laser printer. Compare these results with prices you found online, as sometimes the online deals are more competitive.

Now that you are "equipped" with what to look for in a laser printer for your business, go out and get it! You will be glad you did!