Printers

Printers

What is a printer?! We don’t want to go into detail here, but in short, a printer takes information in the form of text, graphics or images from a computer and transfers it on paper or other media. When it comes to purchasing a printer, you need to think about what you’re using it for and what are you expecting from it.

If you’re wanting a home printer, you may be looking for something that can print a few documents and/or print a few photos here and there. If you’re a business owner, you may be wanting something that can churn out pages, at speed! Other factors to consider are the paper sizes a printer accepts and whether it prints in colour or black and white.

We’ve split our printers into a range of categories to help narrow down the choices - you’ll see these at the top of the page. Below, you’ll see the breakdown of the brands we stock and a few FAQs that should help clear up any questions you may have about printers.

At Wex, we pride ourselves on the options we offer as well as the expert colleagues we have in-store, on the phone and online. So, should want something clarified or to go through some thoughts you have on a particular product, give us a call or pop into one of our stores for a chat.

Printer Brands

Epson is a well-known household name, made famous for its exceptional print quality and wide range of printers that serve consumer-to-pro-level printing, and small to big businesses. Having stopped the production of its consumer-level laser printers, Epson doubled down on its inkjet technology and now has a stunning range of powerful and innovative ultra-high-capacity ink tank printers for all types of users.

We all know Canon make great cameras, but another area they excel in is printers. Canon offers a diverse range of printers that suit almost any requirement and budget. Combining pigment-based black ink and dye-based coloured inks, Canon printers are characterised by their crisp, high-quality document output and beautifully vibrant graphic and photographic reproduction.

HP is one of the biggest names in printers and as such, it has a large range that caters to almost any type of user. From photographers to business owners, home users to offices, HP printers consistently produce excellent quality prints and feature innately intuitive operating systems that make it easy for anyone to use.

Kodak printers are all about mobile image sharing. With simple smartphone connectivity, Kodak’s Mini and Dock series are designed to make mobile printing as easy as possible so that you can share images with your friends and family. Kodak printers merge retro instant printing with modern smartphone technology.

While Fujifilm offers a variety of professional business and creative printers, they are perhaps best known (in recent years, at least) for their Instax camera printer series. The resurgence of film photography allowed Fuilfilm to share its passion for instant film photography. The Instax camera printer series has permeated our culture, allowing modern generations to freeze time and share instant prints with friends and family.

When we think of instant cameras, in our mind’s eye, we see a flash and then someone shaking a print, eagerly waiting for an image to appear - that’s Polaroid’s legacy (although, ironically, shaking a polaroid can actually damage the film!) Founded in 1937, Polaroid is best known for its instant film and cameras that have cemented their place in modern culture through music, television and film.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to shake polaroids?

No. Despite what is shown in film and sung about in pop music, shaking your polaroid is one of the worst things you can do! Inside a polaroid are a series of chemicals and dyes that if shaken up, will not correctly develop your shot. Shaking can cause bubbles or flaws in the development process that will lead to splodges and marks. The best practice is to lay your print face down and let it fully develop for around 10 to 15 minutes.

How to connect my printer to Wi-Fi?

Most modern printers are now Wi-Fi compatible and this should be clear on the product description, in the specs, in the manual or the machine itself will have a Wi-Fi symbol on the front or side. Generally, you will start up your printer and on the screen or when connected to your computer, there will be a setup process that will detect your Wi-Fi signal and allow you to connect.

What is the difference between laser and inkjet printers?

These two types of printers differ in the way the technology prints images or text onto media. Generally, inkjet printers are more compact and cheaper but the ink can become expensive - you should always use the brand and product-specific ink for the best results. Inkjets are better for photo printing. Laser prints are better for text and documents, and usually have the lowest cost per page.

What is printer toner?

Toner is designed for laser printers. Whereas inkjet printers use ink cartridges, a laser printer uses a toner cartridge that contains toner powder. This is a dry, fine print medium made from granulated plastic that offers excellent accuracy and control when printing and is why laser printers are best for text and document printing.

Which printer is best for home users?

This depends on how you intend to use the printer. If you are printing mostly text and documents, a laser printer is best. If you want to print images and yield the best colours and image reproduction, an inkjet printer is ideal.

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