The question of the difference between office copiers and multifunction printers is asked quite often here at STAT Business Systems in Sunrise, Florida.
There are many different types of printing and copying machines and they look somewhat similar which can make it really hard to know the difference and what is actually needed for your office. There are also a lot of companies out there that use incorrect definitions of printing and copying machines especially after inkjet printers started offering extra features many years ago.
This article provides a direct comparison of office copiers and multifunction printers to help clear up any confusion. STAT Business Systems is your go to copier and printer leasing company. We offer office copiers and multifunctional printers including color and black and white models.
What Is A Standard Office Copier?
A standard office copier is designed to complete one task only. That is to copy documents. When you put a page into the scanner a copy is produced either in color or black and white. Color copiers typically have a slower printing speed and are more costly to purchase and operate versus black and white office copy machines. They also may have additional features such as an auto tray feeding system, automatic stapling, and digital image retention. This is where the line starts to get blurred a little… Modern office copiers typically now have the ability to scan and are accessible over an office network for digital storage, sharing, and editing purposes. Although standard office copiers used to be a go to machine they are no longer the top choice for typical modern offices with one exception; speed. If a company is looking to produce thousands of copies and is looking to do so as quickly and cost effectively as possible then a dedicated office copier is the correct choice in 2022.
What Is A Multifunction Office Printer?
A multifunction office printer is often referred to with different names such as a multifunctional copier, office copy and print machine, office printer, and more. These machines are usually accessed by multiple people in the office due to their functionality and cost savings. One capable and modern machine is often shared by multiple staff so that the printing machine will be higher volume and have more features than individual desktop units. A multifunction office printer is defined as a machine that offers more than one function; typically printing, copying, faxing, and scanning.
Multifunction Office Printers – Typically The Right Choice!
As we eluded to above a multifunctional office printer is usually the right choice for most companies unless there is a need for a huge volume of copying. In the past copiers were also chosen because they were less complex and much easier for staff to learn and operate. With advancements in technology multifunction printers (MFPs) have become extremely user friendly, provide many more features such as printing, scanning, faxing, etc. and come in many different sizes from single workstation machines to whole office printers. There are also many different types of specialty printers that can be perfect for your actually office needs. The bottom line is that as technology continues to progress we are seeing less office copiers and more multifunction printers in the field.