Archive for December, 2010

Solid ink printers are known for the impeccable color quality they can create on regular paper and their environmental benefits.  Ink sticks do not require cartridges, eliminating the use of plastic and oil, and use less packaging, reducing the overall waste created.  The technology is innovative and the perks are undeniable, but they sometimes require special care.  In fact, something as simple as moving a solid ink printer before it has cooled down could damage it beyond repair.

There are a few drawbacks of solid ink printers, but the primary focus of this article is the potential danger of moving these devices when hot.  You see, the way this technology works is that solid ink sticks are installed into the printer, and when a task is sent to be printed, the machine heats up and melts the stick into a liquid ink.  The liquid ink is distributed through nozzles, much like inkjet technology, and the ink immediately hardens on the paper. Continue reading “Moving Solid Ink Printers” »

Wireless printers are a great way to share a single device among multiple users without having to resort to running Ethernet cables or other wires throughout your home or workspace. The setup process for connecting a printer to your existing wireless network is fairly straightforward; however, there are a few things to consider, such as the location of the device, to ensure the best results.

Before you begin, make sure you know the name or SSID of your wireless network. If the network is password-protected, make sure you have the password readily available prior to starting the setup process. You should also choose a location for the printer that is easily accessible for all users, but is also in close enough proximity to your wireless router that it can make a strong connection. Continue reading “Setting Up Wireless Printers” »

Has the time come to unplug the current office printer for the last time and move on to a new machine?  Every office goes through this, so rest assured that any resource you could possible need is out there.  First, though, you must figure out what is required not only to handle the volume and pace, but also increase overall productivity. Continue reading “Upgrading Your Business Printer” »

As shared network printers and even wireless printers become more common in the workplace, users are left with the problem of keeping documents secure. Secure printing can be a constant problem for government agencies, healthcare providers, and other offices where sensitive documents need to be managed. Users often need to print documents to a shared machine, but how do you keep them safe from prying eyes or unauthorized users before they have time to pick up their printout? Previous solutions like password-protected printing offer some protection, but newer methods like secure biometric printing can offer even better protection that is much more difficult to circumvent, as it uses fingerprints to identify an authorized user. Continue reading “Secure Biometric Printing” »

Printing can be as simple as clicking the ‘print’ button and collecting your document(s) from the output tray.  However, there are a number of printer settings that allow you to customize each document, which opens the door to a number of creative and cost-effective options.

You can access these settings by selecting Properties on the Print menu that comes up when you go to print a document. In Windows, you can also go to Devices and Printers in the Start Menu, then right-click on the printer you are using and select Printing Preferences.

The actual Print window that initially pops up will give you the option to select how many copies of the original you want to print, single or double-sided printing and the page range you want printed (i.e. printing pages 2-6 of a 10-page document).

The settings in Properties or Printing Preferences are a bit more complex.

Continue reading “Common Print Settings” »

Most personal printers that are being manufactured these days have wireless capabilities.  If you are working with a single desktop PC, a USB connection will suffice, but if there are multiple computers or other mobile devices in the home, wireless is a must.  A printer that includes wireless support right out of the box, such as the Canon PIXMA ip100, opens up printing options for just about every device in the home, without the need to run ugly wires. Continue reading “Wireless Printing at Home” »

Image: MC Morgan

Relative to printing, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a queue as:

• A sequence of messages or jobs held in temporary storage awaiting transmission or processing.
• A data structure that consists of a list of records such that records are added at one end and removed from the other. Continue reading “Understanding Print Queues” »

There are so many photo printers to choose from- which one is the best for you?

Printing photos is easier now than ever before as major printer manufacturers are designing photo printers to produce high-grade, long-lasting, vivid pictures right at home.  Deciding which photo printer is the best for you is contingent on your photo printing needs.  Do you print pictures as a hobby or for a living?  Do you have a need to print pictures that vary in size? Do you need a printer that can grow with your needs?

Understanding your requirements will help you narrow down the selection, and be sure you get the features you need without overspending.  Below is a list of some of the features found on many of the top photo printers on the market; use these to figure out which photo printer is right for you: Continue reading “Selecting the Right Photo Printer” »

Most users know to plug sensitive electronics into a surge protector to protect from power spikes and surges that could damage their equipment. Some users even use an Uninterruptible Power Supply, or UPS, to keep their computer running in the event of a power outage. When it comes to printers, however, there are pros and cons to each method. Let us look at the three methods of plugging in a printer, and the potential advantages and disadvantages of each.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

A UPS includes a fairly large battery in order to provide backup power. The major benefit of plugging a printer into a UPS is that it can keep the machine running even when the power goes out. Some units also offer a feature called voltage regulation or line conditioning, which can regulate the voltage and protect against things like brownouts. Most UPS units also protect against surges. Continue reading “Printer Surge Protection” »

Kyocera-Mita produces printers and all-in-one devices primarily for office use.  These machines are traditionally reliable and durable, but naturally, errors will occur from time to time.  There are a number of errors that you can fix yourself, however, many require Kyocera-Mita Technical Support. If you feel the problem is too complex, seek help rather than potentially damage the machine any further. Continue reading “Kyocera-Mita Printer Error Codes” »