Whatever printer you buy, make sure you’re happy with the wireless printing capabilities. Modern printers can usually print from any device on your home Wi-Fi network. You can print from both computers and mobile devices, eliminating the need for the old-fashioned method of connecting a cable to your PC. In some printers, the ink can deteriorate and clog the inside if the device is not used for an extended period of time. If you think you’ll only use your printer a few times a year, it may be more economical (and less stressful) to outsource the printing.
On-demand printing (face-to-face)
If you don’t have or want a printer, but you need to print something quickly, your best option, other than asking a friend or family member, may be to go to a nearby print shop or your local library.
At FedEX Office, you can copy or print documents in color or black and white on a variety of papers, and employees there can help with design. For basic documents, it costs about 21 cents per page. You can bring your document to a FedEX Office store on a USB drive and plug it into the copier, or you can email your document to FedEx to be printed. Staples, UPS Stores, and Office Depot also offer similar printing services.
Of course, other local printing shops also offer customized services, and even supermarket business centers may offer paid printing services.
When it comes to photos, you’ve probably seen print kiosks at retail stores like CVS or Walmart. Typically, you can connect your mobile device to the kiosk, plug in a USB drive, or upload photos through an app. If they use an app or photo service website, you can upload your images at home, pay for your prints, and pick them up later when they’re finished.
Many people are surprised to find that their local library lets them print for free (within certain limits). My local public library charges 10 cents per page for black and white and 50 cents per page for color, but offers patrons $5 off their first print. It’s hard to beat that offer.
If you’re traveling, your hotel’s business center will likely offer free printing, which can be helpful if you need to get a paper boarding pass last minute or have other travel-related printing needs.
On-demand printing (not face-to-face)
If you can wait more than a few days, browse the various online printing services to find the best one. Photo printing services like Printique and Snapfish have made quite a name for themselves and are perfect for projects like photo books and custom gifts, like personalized calendars and holiday photo cards.
VistaPrint, CatPrint and GotPrint are services that offer a wide range of printing jobs, from documents to business cards, t-shirts and wedding invitations.
We’re moving towards a cashless, fully digital society, but some tasks still require printing. Thankfully, these days, you don’t necessarily have to own or maintain your own printer.
