How to Pick the Perfect Printer (Without the Headache!)

We all know that feeling - you need a new printer, but the options are overwhelming. Do you go for thermal transfer or direct thermal print? What size? What connectivity? It's enough to make your head spin!

That's where we come in. At Sciamed, we're not just another online retailer pushing boxes - we're true specialists who take the time to understand your business needs. In our latest blog post, we caught up with Katy Macdonald, our sales specialist and resident printer guru.

With over 20 years of experience in print systems, Katy has developed a sixth sense of matching businesses with their perfect printer solution. Understanding exactly how different printers work - and how they fit into specific business operations - is her superpower. She's helped countless customers avoid costly mistakes by cutting through the technical jargon and recommending solutions that actually work in the real world.

So put down that Amazon shopping basket and let Katy guide you through what really matters when choosing a printer. Trust us, your future self will thank you.

Start with the basics: What’s the Job?

First things first - what are you printing? I always start by asking customers this because it makes all the difference.

If you're making address labels or shipping items that will last a few days, a direct thermal printer will do the job just fine. You know those parking tickets that turn black if you leave them on your dashboard? That's direct thermal—perfectly good for short-term use but not something you'd want for important labels.

Now, if you need labels that can handle a bit of rough and tumble - maybe they're going on machinery, or need to survive outdoors - you'll want thermal transfer. It's a bit more expensive, but the labels last ages. Think of it like the difference between a biro and a Sharpie - both do the job, but one's definitely more permanent!

Size isn’t everything (Really!)

Here's something that surprises a lot of people - the size of your labels doesn't always mean you need a bigger printer. I've lost count of how many customers have told me they need a 6-inch printer, when actually they could just turn their labels sideways and use a 4-inch one. That simple trick can save you hundreds of quid.

Desktop or Industrial? How much power do you need?

Now, let's talk about how much printing you're actually doing. If you're just doing the odd label here and there, a desktop printer will be perfect - they're like the reliable family car of printers. But if you're running a busy warehouse where the printer's going all day every day? That's when you need an industrial model - built to keep up with proper heavy use.

Is your printer critical to your business success? It’s important to consider the cost of not having a working printer whenever you’re tempted to opt for a cheaper option. That extra bit you spend on a proper workhorse printer will save you so much grief down the line.

USB, ethernet or wireless? Why your printer's connections matter

The boring bits matter, too! How is your printer going to connect to everything?

USB is fine if it's just sat by one computer, but if you need to move it about or have multiple people using it, you'll want Ethernet or wireless. And trust me — it's always cheaper to get the right connections built in from the start rather than trying to add them later.

Think Ahead (Because No One Likes Regret)

Here's my golden rule — think ahead. I've seen so many businesses buy a basic printer and then come to me for some guidance six months later. By this point, they're kicking themselves because they ordered a printer online, and it’s not fit for purpose.

If you think you might need thermal transfer later, get a printer that can do both from the start. The same goes for print quality — if you think you might need really crisp barcodes or small text down the line, go for 300 DPI now rather than having to replace the whole printer later.

The takeaway

And finally - don't forget about support! There's nothing worse than your printer packing up and being told you've got to wait two weeks for a repair. That's why I always recommend brands like Zebra - their service is top notch, and when your business depends on your printer, that peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.

At the end of the day, your printer isn't just another bit of office kit - it's how you get your products out the door, your deliveries sorted, your stock managed. Get it right first time, and you'll save yourself so much hassle (and probably a fair bit of money too).

If you're still not sure what you need, just give us a bell - I'm always happy to talk printers!