A printer is a hardware output device that accepts soft copies from a computer or other devices and prints them on paper, sheets. A wide variety of printers exist, catering to different needs, from low-cost inkjet photo printers to high-end laser printers capable of producing sharp and vibrant full-color documents, as well as 3D printers that can print objects.
When choosing a printer, users should consider how much printing they do, what type of documents they’re printing (text-based or image-based), the quality required and whether speed is important. The size of the printer and its paper tray are also important considerations, as some machines have limited capacities while others can handle larger loads with ease.
The printer’s print head must be able to move easily over the surface of the paper, and its duty cycle is an indication of how many pages it can reliably produce over time. The higher the duty cycle, the better, as this indicates that it can handle heavy loads without requiring maintenance.
Printers can be connected to computers via dedicated data cables like USB, short-range radios such as Bluetooth, or over a local network using Ethernet or wireless options such as WiFi. They can also function on their own, independent of a host computer, using a memory card or portable data storage device.
Printer paper varies in size, brightness, material and glossiness, with choices including recycled paper, wood pulp, hemp and banana papers. Its coating can be glossy, matte or satin, with each affecting color reproduction and durability. Its thickness is also an important factor, with thinner papers being more brittle, while thicker paper is more rigid.
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MUNBYN Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer, 130B Wireless 4x6 Shipping Label Printer for Shipping Packages Small Business Office or Home, Compatible with iPhone Android iPad Windows macOS Chrome Etsy eBay
$79.97 (as of July 3, 2025 21:49 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
HiHTV Sticker Printer - Mini Sticker Maker Machine with 3 Roll Tapes, Bluetooth Portable Inkless Printpods Pocket Printer for Kids Study Notes, Anatomical Diagrams, Photos, Kids Gift
$16.99 (as of July 3, 2025 21:49 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
$119.99 (as of July 3, 2025 21:49 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 24" - Large Format Printer, Poster & Plotter Printer, Automatic Roll & Cut Sheet Paper Feeder, Includes 280 ml of Ink, White
$749.00 (as of July 3, 2025 21:49 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
HP Laserjet MFP M235sdw All-in-One Laser Wireless Printer, Scan/Copy, Black & White, Duplex, Best for Office
$209.00 (as of July 3, 2025 21:49 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Epson EcoTank ET-2980 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer with up to 3 Years of Ink, Refillable Tanks, Perfect for Home, 15 PPM, 1.44" Color Screen, Auto 2-Sided Printing - Black
$249.99 (as of July 3, 2025 21:49 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)