Different types of printers guide 2024

Despite living in a digital-focused world, printing remains an integral part of our everyday lives, serving a range of diverse purposes from printing work documents to creating large-scale art prints, marketing materials and even family photos.

Printing technology has evolved throughout the years, with new innovations leading to a range of printer types tailored to specific needs and budgets. From home to office, low-cost inkjet to high-end large format, it’s important to choose the right printer for your needs.

In this guide, we look at some of the different types of printers available on the market today and help you choose the perfect printer to suit your needs.

What different types of printers are there?

So, where do you begin when looking for your ideal printer? With such a diverse range of models, features and specialised functions to choose from, it can be difficult to understand which printer is best suited to your needs.

Here are some of the most common types of printers available.

Laser Printers

Laser printers are known for their speed and precision. They use laser technology to create sharp text and graphics, making them ideal for office environments.

Best for: Offices and businesses requiring high-quality text documents and high-volume print jobs.

We recommend: The Xerox WorkCentre 7120 Series – a multifunctional colour laser printer which lets you create and share critical business information seamlessly.

Solid Ink Printers

Solid ink printers utilise solid ink sticks made from non-toxic vegetable oil that are melted and applied to paper. They offer vibrant colour printing and eco-friendly benefits, while many models are built to be small and portable.

Best for: Creative professionals who need high-quality colour prints.

We recommend: Xerox ColorQube 8880 – An economical unit, giving you colour printing for the price of black and white, utilising cartridge-free Solid Ink technology to generate up to 90% less printing waste than laser.

LED Printers

LED printers are similar to laser printers but use light-emitting diodes instead of lasers for printing. They are energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Best for: Businesses and home offices looking for impressive results across a wide range of media.

We recommend: JETRIX LXi8 UV-LED Printer - a robust and stable flatbed designed to meet the most exacting requirements, with faster printing speeds and eco-friendly printing.

Business Inkjet Printers

Business inkjet printers offer a balance between quality and affordability. Used for a range of purposes, these models are versatile and durable while often saving valuable space.

Best for: Small businesses, particularly those with a focus on document printing.

We recommend: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C579RDWF Inkjet A4 4800 x 1200 DPI 34 ppm Wi-Fi – benefitting from low running costs and powerful scanning capabilities, this model is a great all-round inkjet printer for businesses.

Home Inkjet Printers

Designed for personal home use, home inkjet printers are functional and versatile, offering great printing for documents and family photos.

Best for: Home users who want to print photos, school work, and personal documents.

We recommend: Canon imagePROGRAF TA-20 large format printer Wi-Fi Inkjet Colour 2400 x 1200 DPI A1 (594 x 841 mm) Ethernet LAN – designed for smaller print jobs, this model offers fast and flexible printing, maximising ink and media usage and minimising costs.

Multifunction Printers

Multifunction printers (MFPs) combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing in one device saving you time and space.

Best for: Home offices and small businesses with limited space.

We recommend: Xerox 550/560 large format multifunction printer – a high-performance multi-functional printer with faxing and scanning capabilities, high printing resolution and accurate colour reproduction.

Dot Matrix Printers

An old-school printer not widely available on the modern-day market, dot matrix printers use a matrix of pins to produce text and graphics.

Best for: Businesses that require continuous form printing, like invoices and labels.

We recommend: Epson LQ-310 Dot Matrix Printer – fast and affordable, this model offers efficient printing with low operational costs.

Large format printers

Large-format printers are designed to facilitate large-scale prints, making them essential for graphic designers, architects, and photographers.

Best for: Professionals in the creative and design industries.

We recommend: HP DesignJet Z6810 Large Format Photo Printer – ideal for those looking to print low-volume, short-term signage with high-quality text and graphics.

3D Printers

A fairly new addition to the market, 3D printers turn digital designs into physical objects.

Best for: Engineers, designers, and hobbyists interested in 3D modelling.

We recommend: HP Jet Fusion 580 Color 3D Printer - an easy-to-use solution that integrates material mixing and loading, printing, and reclaiming material in one device.

Find your perfect type of printer at Perfect Colours

At Perfect Colours, we know printing. Our team of dedicated experts are on hand to help you choose the perfect printer for your needs. Whether you need a printer for your home, office, art projects, or specialised tasks, we offer a wide range of large-format printing solutions to fit your requirements.

Get in touch today and discover your next printer with Perfect Colours.