If you are tight on budget, go for Inkjet Printer. Inkjet Printers are more economical compared to Laser Printers. You have wide choice of Inkjet Printers. There are varieties of Inkjet Printers available in the market to select from. You can select your own printer based on the kind of print quality you require.

If you are graphic designer and have more concern with quality of images and graphics, you must go for Inkjet Printer. It gives excellent quality of images and graphics. If you need better text printouts then go for Laser Printers. It is essential to confirm your requirements before buying your Inkjet Printer. Check out these important tips before you buy Inkjet Printer.

Things to check before buying Inkjet Printers

* Speed is the main criteria to be checked before buying any printer. Always check the speed in normal mode as speed rated by manufacturer is always tested on fastest print mode.

* Buffer Memory plays important role while you share the printer over the network. For networked printer it is always recommended to go for higher buffer memory.

* Computers nowadays mostly have USB ports therefore buy a printer with a USB interface to get higher speed of data transfer.

* Never overlook total cost of ownership. Depending on pages you print, even a small difference in ownership cost will save your sizeable amount over the lifetime.

* Ensure to get required quality of photo printouts if you are buying the printer for photo printouts. If needed you have to also purchase an extra ink cartridge, as photo printouts need more ink.

* Check compatibility of printer with software.

* You must check the manufacturer's Web site for the type of support offered. Check whether they offer regular software updates, patches for new operating systems.

* Check the dimensions of printer so that it will comfortably fit on your desk.

* You must place the cartridges in the right packaging. Use factory-supplied containers to store extra cartridges. If you use both color and black ink frequently, store the swapped-out cartridge in zip-lock bag.

* Never use the switch on a surge protector to switch off your printer instead of that use your printer's power switch.

* Paper jam is the common problem with printers. To avoid it clean the rollers and the internal mechanism with mild alcohol. Place the paper carefully in the tray to avoid paper jam.

* Before placing the paper stack in the tray confirm that you have to loosen the paper stack to separate them from each other to avoid paper jams.

* Use a mild glass cleaner on a soft cloth to clean exterior side of the printer.

* The quality of printouts depends upon the quality of paper you use. The standard A4 size paper is most ideal for inkjet printers. The poor quality paper absorb the ink resulting in smudge images. To get the best possible images refer your printer manufacturer recommendations. Also while printing photos, use manufacturer-recommended photo paper for better results.

* Use nozzle cleaning function to restore the original print quality. As printer become older it will deliver faint prints and you will see lines running across the page. A nozzle cleaning function blows ink through the nozzle and unclogs it.

* Don't be a penny-wise and pound-foolish. Always use an original ink cartridge. Temptation of using cheap refilled cartridges will prove expensive in long run.

* Avoid shaking the ink cartridge as this can create bubbles in the cartridge that can shut down the printer.

* Call an authorized service person if you find ink leakage. Never open the printer on your own.

Krishna Pai is a webmaster and a writer.

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