Community colleges cater to a diverse population of students and offer a wide range of courses that require various printing needs. Such colleges typically need to print a large volume and a wide range of syllabi, lecture notes, college books, marketing materials, and administrative documents. As a result, there can be tremendous demands on a college's printing resources.
Community colleges cater to a broad spectrum of students, including recent high school graduates, working adults, and those seeking to change careers. This diversity means that the printing needs can vary widely across departments and services.
For instance, the administrative office may require high-volume printing capabilities for forms and records. Meanwhile, the graphic design department may need printers with high-resolution color output. The challenge is to find printers that can handle these varied tasks efficiently. Compromising on quality or running up exorbitant costs is not an option.
Generally speaking, printers can be either inkjet or laser type. Inkjet printers are ideal for printing college-level books, handouts, and other materials that require clear text and vibrant color images. They’re particularly useful in departments like art and design, where the quality of printed photos is critical.
In addition, inkjet printers are usually more affordable than laser printers. This makes them a cost-effective option for budget-conscious institutions. They’re also generally more energy-efficient, which aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainability in education.
However, one major downside is that inkjet printers tend to be slower than laser printers. This might be a drawback in departments that require fast printing of large volumes.
Laser printers may be the better option for departments that need to print large volumes of text-based documents quickly, such as administrative offices or libraries. Laser printers are known for their speed and efficiency. They’re ideal for producing multiple copies of syllabi, reports, and other lengthy documents.
On top of speed, laser printers have a lower cost per page compared to inkjet printers. This is essential when printing large volumes like books for college students and academic journals. The longevity of laser toner also reduces the need for frequent replacement, which can mean less downtime and lower maintenance costs.
However, the initial cost of laser printers is higher than inkjet printers. This might be a huge deciding factor for community colleges that have limited budgets.
Multifunction printers (or MFPs) combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into a single device. MFPs are an excellent choice for community colleges that need to maximize their resources.
An MFP can be a cost-effective solution for departments that require multiple functions but have limited space and budget for separate devices. For example, an MFP in the administrative office can handle everything from printing enrollment forms to scanning student records. Meanwhile, an MFP in the library can be used by students to print, scan, or copy college-level books and other learning resources.
MFPs provide all-in-one convenience. They reduce the need for multiple machines, simplify maintenance, and can lead to significant cost savings over time.
Specific college departments—such as those focused on architecture, engineering, and graphic design—may require wide-format printers. These printers can produce oversized prints like posters, blueprints, and high-resolution banners, which are essential for presentations and projects.
Wide-format printers may not be necessary for every department, but they’re invaluable in fields requiring detailed, large-scale visuals. Investing in a few of these printers for specific departments in a community college can significantly enhance the learning experience and output quality of students working on large-scale projects.
Selecting printers for your community college entails understanding the unique needs of your departments. You’ll need to balance functionality, quality, and cost.
To recap, inkjet printers offer high-quality output for materials like books for college students, while laser printers provide speed and efficiency for high-volume tasks. Multifunction printers offer a space-saving, all-in-one solution, and large-format printers cater to specialized needs in fields like design and engineering.
If you need help deciding what printers your college should acquire, SumnerOne is here to help. We provide unbiased, vendor-agnostic advice to community colleges searching for the best printing solutions to meet their unique needs. We’ve provided superior print solutions and support to schools across the Midwest for over seven decades. With us, you can rest assured that your college's printing infrastructure will be both efficient and cost-effective.
Get in touch with us today to book a free consultation with our print specialists.