Upgrading your equipment is something a lot of businesses try to put off as long as possible. Many business owners often feel it’s better to hang on to old printers, rather than upgrading. Your money can be put to better use, right?
In actual fact, putting off the upgrade can cost you more money and time later down the line. It’s better to make the one-off investment now, rather than spending more on repairs and replacement parts if you stick it out.
If your printer isn’t helping move your business forward, it’s holding you back. Here are four signs it’s time to replace your printer.
It’s not meeting your needs
As your business grows, your needs might evolve. You might adapt your client base, increase your outreach, change your processes. The printer you initially invested in might have worked for you in the beginning, but if it doesn’t meet your needs now, it’s time for an upgrade. Ask yourself these questions:
Is my printer giving me the page output I need?
Can it hold the paper capacity I need?
Does it help improve business workflow?
Does it offer the user interface my employees need to be efficient?
If the answers are no, it’s time to consider a new printer that can keep up with your evolving business.
You’re struggling to find ink cartridges and other accessories
This one seems to be the biggest reason why people choose to upgrade their printers. If your printer is an older model, essential printer accessories such as ink cartridges are often discontinued or really difficult to source.
Though there are sometimes workarounds to this problem (like sourcing remanufactured or compatible cartridges, for example), you could be using that time to focus on other aspects of your business.
It doesn’t connect to the internet
Nowadays, we live in a digital world. And printers have a part to play in that transition. Most newer models will have Wi-fi or ethernet capabilities. If your printer doesn’t include this feature, it can be a real setback to your business.
Firmware updates will help correct any bugs after you’ve bought the printer. Without that safety net, your printer may not be functioning properly, and you might not even realise it.
It just doesn’t print very well
In 2008, the average printer could produce a borderless photo in an average of 48 seconds. Nowadays, that time has been reduced by more than half. If your printer is really slow to print, this can be disruptive to workflow and frustrate employees.
Take a note of the quality of the printing too. Older equipment can cause faded or blurred ink, blemishes, and ink spots. Not only does this compromise readability, but it can also damage your brand image if your printing appears unprofessional and blotchy.
If you have concerns about upgrading your equipment, AFP can help. Get in touch with us today for more advice and guidance.