How to choose the right copier features for your business

Copier features may seem like a one-size-fits-all solution for the office, but individual businesses can benefit from hand-picking features that best suit their industry.

Most businesses narrow down their copier selection based on monthly copy volume. This is the average amount of copies that an office makes per month, estimated over a 12 month span. Your monthly copy volume will determine the size of copier you choose: low, medium, or high-speed. From there, you can hone in on the best copier features for your industry to improve workplace functionality and output.

Selecting copy machine features by industry

As mentioned above, some copy machine features are general, and others are industry-specific. Standard copy machine features may include:

  • Print
  • Copy
  • Scan
  • Fax
  • Network-ready connectivity
  • Data security

The above photocopier features are a given that will benefit the average office. You can dig deeper and tailor features to your business industry, like:

  • Color printing/copying - Color capabilities aren't necessary for all industries; graphic design firms, ad agencies, and educational facilities may need to make color copies daily.
  • Color scanning - Offices that primarily scan, print, and copy images will benefit from this high-quality imaging feature; color scanning may be used in publishing houses, ad agencies, and real estate offices to print listings.
  • Borderless photo printing - More specifically, photographers and portrait studios can utilize borderless photo printing in multiple sizes: 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10, and 8.5 x 11.
  • High-speed printing - A higher-volume office may require a copier with an automatic document feeder and higher print speed (more than 24 ppm) to support multiple employees; law firms, accounting offices, and banks may make round-the-clock copies.
  • ePrint - Some copier manufacturers, like HP, offer remote ePrinting technology—ideal for offices with telecommuters or traveling employees, like sales offices, startups, and e-commerce retailers.
  • Advanced finishing - Varied finishing options like duplexing, hole punching, stapling, pamphlet printing, and saddle stitching can be used in professional environments with a high copy output: publishers, law firms, and universities that print student curriculums.

Photocopier features influence price

Business owners know that you get what you pay for. Monthly copy volume can increase copier price as a starting point: low-volume copiers are cheaper than high-volume commercial copiers.

From there, your top features may increase copier price accordingly. The good news is that many of the tech-forward features listed above have become mainstream and thus more affordable. Remote ePrinting technology is available from a number of copier manufacturers at a reasonable price.

You can expect to pay as little as $150 for a no-frills, all-in-one small business copier with network connectivity. A mid-sized color copier with automatic duplexing may start at $550. A high-volume, all-in-one large business copier with advanced scanning features and remote device access may start at $1600.