There are several choices you will need to make when purchasing a printer for your home based business. You have a basic or standard printer, a dedicated photo printer or an all in one printer copier also known as a multifunction printer (MFP). There is also the choice of technology: laser or ink jet, color or monochrome. You also need to consider the speed of the printer if you plan on doing a lot of copying or printing. Most new printers have a wireless connection built in for convenience when printing from multiple computers. Price is a very important factor when choosing your printer.

The following is a list to help you choose the right printer for your home business.

Ink jet or multifunction printer:

* You want to print in color
* High quality photo’s are more important than text, graphics and speed
* Light duty printing needs
* Concerned with initial price rather than speed or total cost of unit over its lifetime

Monochrome Laser or Monochrome Laser based multifunction printer:

* No need for color
* High quality text is important
* Speed
* Moderately heavy output volume
* Concerned with total cost of printers lifetime rather than initial cost

Color Laser printer:

* Color printing
* High quality text and graphics are more important than high quality photos
* Speed
* Moderately heavy output volume

Photo printer:

* Very high quality photo printing
* Printing from your camera or a memory card

Multifunction printer:

* Combination of printing, copying, scanning and faxing
* Space is limited

Network connection (wireless):

* Sharing printer with multiple computers