An A3 inkjet printer produces prints up to 11” x 17” and some have A3+ capabilities allowing them to accept larger paper that produces images up to 13”x19”. HP, Canon and Epson are a few of the companies that build these unique machines. Different models have various capabilities with prices ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The printers are especially good for photography but are also used for posters, notices, booklets, scrapbooking or newsletters. The more expensive models will accept special paper rolls for printing banners.
The A3 printers are manufactured as laser printers, inkjet printers or dye sublimation 
printers. The laser printer produces fast high quality text but the price of the printer combined with toner cartridges make it cost prohibitive for many businesses and particularly for individuals. The inkjet printers not only produce high quality text but exceptional photographs though they print slower than the laser versions.
The dye sublimation is the most expensive of all the machines but their wax-based inks are water resistant ensuring that whatever is printed will last a considerable amount of time. These printers take the longest to produce a finished image.
Other factors to consider when calculating cost is to determine what functions are necessary. Printers with copy and fax capabilities may be more expensive than purchasing each separately. Individual machines are built to do what they do well and depending on how often each function is needed, separate devices may be more cost effective in the end.
Each printer has a dpi (dots per inch) rating and some printers have a greater dpi rating than others, which means they provide sharper images while using less ink. An A3 inkjet printer requires 4 to 8 cartridges depending on the model. Cartridges for various machines range from $15 to $40 each. Different printers require various sized cartridges; sometimes the larger containers print more pages for a lesser cost. There are ink specialty stores that sell refilled, refurbished or copycat cartridges but not all devices will accept compatible cartridges.
Some newer versions have connectivity and networking capabilities which may or may not be required. The newer models have USB ports while only some have Ethernet connectivity, WiFi connectivity, memory card slots and PictBridge options. Since the printer is connected to a PC, an Ethernet connection is not necessarily vital. Likewise, when the PC has PictBridge and memory card slot capabilities these options are not essential on a printer. Certain models have large touch screen panels where all printing choices can be delegated. Others require the accompanying program and instructional DVD be installed on the computer to access all of the printing choices.
Some inkjet printer models are equipped with only one paper tray and the trays vary as to the number of sheets they hold. Other injket printers have multiple trays to accommodate various types of media. A few versions have automatic sensors that detect the type of paper loaded into the tray. A few printers have a limit to image size options. Printers also vary as to how quickly they print each page. The longer the machine takes to complete the job the more energy it requires to operate.
Newer printers may have compatibility issues with older operating systems. Certain models are compatible with Windows XP and newer systems and some are not compatible with Mac’s. Still other printers are compatible with Mac’s, Windows 2000 and newer OS.
The A3 inkjet printer is a nice addition to a home or business office. Designed for the artistic creative professional, these machines and the cartridges are made to be a convenient, cost effective alternative to conventional printing methods. Prospective buyers must factor in each model price, price of individual model cartridges, number of prints per cartridge, pages printed per minute and dpi in addition to model features to find the most cost effective printer for the job. Consumer reviews can provide specifications at a glance to compare various models.
No related posts.
{ 2 trackbacks }