Printers / Scanners

A multifunction printer (MFP) or all-in-one (AIO) printer can not only print but also has the ability to scan documents and copy them too. Some MFPs also have the ability to act as a fax. This is desirable as it reduces the need for multiple device es such as standalone document scanners and photocopiers - thus saving space and costs.

The printing system is based on inkjet technology utilising several ink cartridges to reproduce text and images. They can be connected to a PC via USB or shared on a network using Ethernet or WiFi."

A multifunction printer (MFP) or all-in-one (AIO) printer can not only print but also has the ability to scan documents and copy them too. Some MFPs also have the ability to act as a fax. This is desirable as it reduces the need for multiple device es such as standalone document scanners and photocopiers - thus saving space and costs.

The printing system is based on inkjet technology utilising laser cartridges to reproduce text and images. They can be connected to a PC via USB or shared on a network using Ethernet or WiFi.

Inkjet printers each feature a print head containing thousands of tiny holes, and these tiny openings drop microscopic droplets of ink onto the paper. Inkjet machines use a liquid ink produced either by either a coloured dye or a liquid that contains solid pigments in suspension. As the print head moves horizontally in the machine, the paper passes through perpendicular to it. As the page passes through, the individual holes in the print head are activated (usually by heat or electrical current depending on the manufacturer) and a small drop of ink is pushed out onto the page. This process is performed at high speed with thousands of droplets forming together to recreate the digital text or image that is being transferred onto the paper. To the naked eye, the overall image looks to be solid because the dots are so tiny.

Barcode printers produce barcode labels which can be attached to other objects such as in a warehouse or shop. Barcode printers use either direct thermal or thermal transfer techniques to apply ink to labels. Thermal transfer printers use ink ribbons to apply the barcode directly into the label, while thermal transfer printers use heat to blacken the barcode onto the label.

Colour laser and LED printers work in a similar way to inkjet printers in that the image is made up of lots of tiny dots, which, when viewed as a whole, appear to be a solid image. However, the method in which the tiny dots make their way onto the paper is vastly different. Where an inkjet uses liquid dots, a laser printer uses dots made up of toner – a fine powder of solid particles. When compared with an inkjet machine, lasers are much more complex. These machines rely on many more stages during the process than inkjet. In simple terms, the basic process uses a light source (laser / LED), drum (for mono) or multiple drums (for colour) and toner.

These printers can be connected to your PC PC via USB or shared on a network using Ethernet or WiFi.

Monochrome laser and LED printers work in a similar way to inkjet printers in that the image is made up of lots of tiny dots, which, when viewed as a whole, appear to be a solid image. However, the method in which the tiny dots make their way onto the paper is vastly different. Where an inkjet uses liquid dots, a laser printer uses dots made up of toner – a fine powder of solid particles. When compared with an inkjet machine, lasers are much more complex. These machines rely on many more stages during the process than inkjet. In simple terms, the basic process uses a light source (laser / LED), drum (for mono) or multiple drums (for colour) and toner.

These printers can be connected to your PC PC via USB or shared on a network using Ethernet or WiFi.

These printers are for A3 large format printing and can be all-in-one (AIO) designs combining printing, scanning and copying functions, or just standalone printing. They are based on inkjet technology utilising several ink tanks to reproduce text and images.

These A3 printers can be connected to your PC via USB or shared on a network using Ethernet or WiFi.

Scanners create a digital copy of printed documents so they can be edited, shared and archived.

These business scanners have a feed shute, so can scan multiple documents in a row without user interaction, wherewas portable scanners can only scan one document at a time.

Scanners create a digital copy of printed documents so they can be edited, shared and archived.

When scanning documents, lower cost models may just create a file in a utility program on your PC, whereas larger office models may provide scan to email functionality for ease of use.

Flatbed scanners offer higher resolutions than business scanners, so are a better choice if you going to scan images rather than text-only documents.

Most scanners connect via a USB cable between your PC or laptop. This is common in many home office scenarios where a single computer is using the scanner so a direct connection is both convenient and cheap. It is also possible on some scanners to use the USB port to connect it to a wireless router to allow multiple users to share it without needing to connect directly.

Scanners create a digital copy of printed documents so they can be edited, shared and archived.

These handheld scanners capture a printed barcode, most often seen in retail or warehousing environments.

These black and colour ink tanks are for use with specific inkjet printers. They are available in single packs or multipacks.

These black and colour toner cartridges are for use with specific laser printers. They are available in single packs or multipacks.

These black and colour ink tanks and toner cartridges are made by third parties and so are usually much cheaper than original manufacturer equivalents. They are available in single packs or multipacks.