Choosing a printer is really choosing what every page will cost for the next few years. An ink tank printer, a mono laser, a colour multifunction, a label printer and a production printing machine for a print shop all solve different problems. The cheap printer on the shelf can become the expensive one if its cartridges cost a fortune. Tell us what you print, how much and on what paper sizes, and local printer dealers will send you a free, no-obligation quote with the running costs.
Types of printers and printing machines
- Inkjet and ink tank: inkjets for light home use; ink tank printers refill from bottles and suit colour printing at a low cost per page.
- Laser printers: mono for fast, cheap text pages; colour for reports and marketing.
- Multifunction: print, copy and scan, often with a document feeder and network.
- Label and thermal printers: for parcels, barcodes, shelf tickets and receipts.
- Photo printers: for photo studios and events.
- Production machines: digital presses, wide format printers and DTF printers for print and shirt shops.
How to choose a printer machine
Start with your monthly page count and the share in colour. Compare the cost per page (ink or toner plus drums and parts), the duty cycle (how many pages a month it is built for), paper sizes (A4 only or A3), automatic duplex, network or Wi-Fi, and the scanner and document feeder. A busy office usually spends less on a laser or a rented copier than on a cheap inkjet; see photocopier rental. For a print business, ask about the media it takes and its speed in real jobs. For DTF shirts, see DTF printing.
Setting up and common mistakes
Before you buy, check the power supply and space, and plan for load shedding: lasers draw a lot of power when warming up, so ask the dealer about a suitable UPS or inverter. Have the dealer set up network printing and scan to email if you need it. Common mistakes: buying on the machine price alone, choosing a printer whose cartridges are hard to find locally, and running a small printer far past its duty cycle. Ask how easy it is to get toner or ink cartridges for the model in your town.
Printer price and what to ask the dealer
Printer prices range from small home inkjets to production machines, so we quote per model and need. What affects the price: the type, speed, colour or mono, A3 or A4, finishing options, installation and the service plan. Ask:
- What will a page cost in mono and in colour, including parts?
- What is the warranty, and who repairs it locally?
- Are cartridges and parts in stock in our area?
- Do you install, set up the network and train staff?
What to include in your request
- What you print and how many pages a month
- How much is colour, and the paper sizes
- Print only or print, copy and scan
- Network, Wi-Fi and duplex needs
- Installation, training and service plan
Printers and Printing Machines for different clients
- Families and individuals: an ink tank printer for homework, photos and documents without costly cartridges
- Small businesses and start-ups: a colour multifunction for quotes, flyers and scanning invoices to the accountant
- Companies and offices: a fleet of networked laser printers and multifunctions across floors and branches
- Shops, restaurants and salons: label and thermal printers for price tickets, parcels and till slips
- Events, conferences and clubs: a photo printer and a label printer for prints and badges on the day
- Schools, churches and NGOs: a robust mono laser for worksheets and an A3 colour printer for projects
- Government and municipalities: printers bought against a tender, compared on cost per page and local service
- Designers, agencies and resellers: a digital production printer, wide format or DTF printer for a print business
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of a printer?
Laser or inkjet: which printer should I buy?
Which label printer do I need?
Who will quote me for a printer?
Printers and Printing Machines by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg