Copiers and Printers: What’s the Difference?

08/01/22


If you run a business, you will inevitably need to print documents at one point or another. Most machines will print documents and make copies, but not every model will be a good fit for your business. You need to balance the cost of the machine against the cost of supplies and maintenance. The first decision you have to make, however, is whether you need a copier or a printer. And that will bring you to a question: what’s the difference between a copier and a printer? At Merrimack Valley Business Machines, commercial copiers and printers are what we do. So we’re here to answer your questions when you’re searching for “printers near me.”

Let’s take a look at the differences between copiers and printers and what machine is best for your business.

 

The Basics

Let’s start with the basics. What is the primary function of each machine? A copier duplicates an image that is already printed. A printer takes a digital file and turns it into a physical document. Most machines will perform both functions, but they tend to be designed primarily to do one or the other. So the question becomes, what does your business do more often, copy or print?  

High-Volume Jobs

If your business or organization frequently needs to do high-volume jobs, a copier is the better machine for you. A decent copier can put out 50 pages per minute, and a really good copier can put out in excess of 100 pages per minute. If your organization is a non-profit that needs hundreds of copies of a flyer or other promotional material, a copier can have that job done in a matter of minutes. Most copiers can also print files from other devices, though usually a limited number. That feature is useful if you need a print a document consisting of hundreds of pages, even if you only need one copy.  

Scaling Images

Because high-volume copiers often cannot connect to a computer, they are best for documents that are already properly formatted. For images and files that require scaling, a printer is the machine you need. Most printers are capable of connecting to a network, either through WiFi or a wired connection. With this feature, you can adjust the image on your computer and tell the printer to produce the modified image.  

MVBM Has the “Printers Near Me” You Need!

Very few offices only make copies or just print documents, but many will do more of one than the other. If you’re searching for “printers near me,” you need Merrimack Valley Business Machines. We will help you choose the right printer or copier for your business or organization.  

Contact us at 1-800-336-6826 to learn more about printer and copier purchase, rental, and maintenance.