Print artifacts printer rental and photocopier leasing

Find out how to deal with print artifacts, what they could mean for the lifetime of your printer / copier & how photocopier leasing can help prevent issues in the future.

In this article we will consider some of the 'Artifacts' relating to printers & photocopiers which may arise and find out how to tackle them.

Many of you will be thinking. 'How does an object of archaeological interest relate to my printer, as it isn't THAT old?'  Actually, in this case, it refers to any oddity, peculiarity, or deviation from what is normal, therefore making it unsatisfactory. Such anomalies could occur during the visual representation of digital graphics during printing.

Typical Print Artifacts: 

This can be anything that is out of place or looks wrong.  The printer could be incapacitated by some sort of problem, meaning that it is incapable of doing what you need it to, in which case it's time to check out other models.  The problem in question could be a generic fault with a particular model, perhaps.  In this case, trawl the internet for any complaints from others, indicating that the problem is a chronic one, which may be related to the manufacturer, rather than poor maintenance on the part of your provider.

Some Common Artifacts:

1. Problems with paper

Some artifacts may be related to specific types of paper.  Good printer stockists not only give advice on the machine, but also on the amount of ink it will use and the best paper to select, to give optimum performance.  When using glossy paper, check to see if all the colours look shiny or do the blacks look matte and flat?  Alternatively, do they appear bronze? Do your photos look rather muddy due to the ink bleeding too much on plain paper?  You may need to experiment to ensure you get the best results for your particular machine. 

2. Banding:

This term is often used interchangeably to cover three very different problems.

Firstly there is print head banding, alternating horizontal bands which appear on the image.  This happens when the print density is different on left-to-right passes than on right-to-left passes of the print head.

Next there is something known as colour banding, which happens due to an inability to render enough shades of a given colour to produce a smooth result.

Finally, should you find discoloured lines, which stretch horizontally across the page, it could mean you have a clogged nozzle in the print head.  

So is the prognosis good or bad?

If your machine has colour banding, it means the printer is very limited in what it can achieve.  With print head banding, you'd probably be better biting the bullet and replacing your unit entirely, although with the last type it's probably a temporary problem with that can be rectified.

  • Paragon Comment

Instead of spending endless time on The Web, you could head directly to us!  Paragon will give you the comprehensive guidance that you need regarding any problems with your printer or photocopier, along with unbiased advice when you come to select your new printer or photocopier.  We'll be objective about the best models to choose for your budget, highlighting any glitches or disadvantages that we are aware of with the model in question.  Our experts have a plethora of knowledge regarding all makes and models that are available on today's market.  We only deal in the most leading manufacturers, like Cannon, Konica, Toshiba and Kyocera, well renowned for their reliable products and excellent warranties. So if there are any problems with your machine, they can be efficiently rectified, fast. Paragon will also advise you on the benefits of photocopier leasing or renting your printer rather than buying outright.

3. Costing Problems

So what will be the overall cost of my new printer?

Often people buy a printer without thinking about the running costs.  Initial price tags may look attractive, such as on those models costing less than £100. Yet you need to consider that this initial purchase price is only just the beginning!

  • In Conclusion

Models which appear cheap at the outset, don't always work out to be the most cost effective option.  The costs involved in feeding and caring for your printer often far outweigh the original price tag.  So ensure you consider the costs of any consumables like inks and toners for example.  Inkjet printers are the most inexpensive options available on the market, with models often costing around £100. Yet replacement inks and specialty papers often negate any initial savings and drives up the cost of ownership quite significantly. Typically, inks cost around £20 per cartridge and last between 100-800 pages for higher-capacity models.  Yet more expensive printers often prove more cost effective in the long run, as you don't need to replace everything when only one colour runs out due to their higher capacity, separate ink tanks, for each colour.

Toner cartridges for laser printers, alternatively, vary significantly in yield, print capabilities but also in price.  For the networked, large 'work horse' laser printers, cartridges average around £200 for the higher capacity cartridges, whilst toners for personal laser printers are more moderately priced at around £12 for a small cartridge.  Toner costs for 'high end' printers do seem significant, but then so too is the yield.   Typically, these cartridges produce between 2,500 and 10,000 pages, although some claim that they will print as many as 30,000, so cost per page is only a few pence for text and only slightly more for images.  Something to remember though…. make sure you check for expiry dates, as some cartridge makes will stop working at a set time, even though there is still some ink left! 

  • Paragon Comment

There is a lot to consider here and some excellent advice- well worth heeding.  Whether you are an experienced buyer, or indeed stepping your toes in the water for the first time, there are always things to bear in mind before making your selection.  Here at Paragon, we'll walk you through the specifications on all our products, explaining everything you don't understand in simple terms, along with providing details on prices, to ensure you get the printer that suits you.  Furthermore, we'll provide a pre/ after-sales service that is unsurpassable.  This includes a 4 hour, nationwide call out service, replacement inks and toners, an expert team of engineers who'll provide a professional installation and personal tuition/guidance about how to get the best out of your appliance.  What's more, our price match promise ensures that you'll pay no more than you need.  We'll match any quote from our competitors, ensuring that you get the very best deal.  If you decide you'd rather rent your printer or lease your photocopier, we also have this option available too.  Why not contact us today and find out more.

Your local photocopier leasing company:

Photocopier Leasing Solutions are the photocopier company you can rely on:
Serving, London, Surrey, Essex, Kent, Middlesex, Hertfordshire & Nationwide

Request a call back

We will match any other photocopier leasing price, guaranteed!