STACK #219 January 2023

TECH FEATURE

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PERFECT PRINTING

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How to get the best from your printer Wired or wireless? A wireless printer connects to a home network via the Wi-Fi router, making it accessible to any computer/device on that network. A wired printer connects directly to a single computer or laptop with a USB cable. Prime position Never position a printer in direct sunlight or on the floor. Leave approximately 15cm of space on each side to allow for adequate airflow. Paper pointers Use good quality paper that’s unlikely to leave a dust residue inside the printer. Always make sure it’s squared in the tray and not misaligned to prevent a frustrating paper jam. Keep it clean Smudged print and smeared colours can really ruin a print job, and can be a sign that your printer needs cleaning. Many printers have a self cleaning function that will do the job for you. But if there’s still a problem, switch it off and unplug it, arm yourself with some cotton buds, and get to work. Dried ink can sometimes clog the print heads of inkjet cartridges, and can be removed with a cotton swab. Using the printer regularly can prevent blockages. Laser printers can be more finicky due to the powdery nature of toner. Slip on some rubber gloves and a mask before cleaning. Never touch the drum and always avoid skin contact with toner.

A printer is an important part of the back to school tech inventory, and the good news is you don’t need to search an office supply store for one. That’s right, JB Hi-Fi is your one stop shop for printers that suit all needs and budgets, along with printing essentials like ink, toner and photo paper. Before you start shopping for a printer and accessories, check out the fine print on what to consider right here.

Choosing the right printer

W hether it’s a school project, essay, assignment, or an important document that needs to be signed, a printed hard copy is not only an invaluable backup, but also lets you physically confirm the content and presentation is up to scratch. There are several options when selecting a suitable printer – inkjet, laser, and multi-function – and the type you choose should be determined by what you want to use it for, and how often. For general use Inkjet printers use ink-filled cartridges and are a popular choice for occasional and everyday use. They suit a variety of needs, from printing basic text documents like essays and assignments, to full colour graphics, labels, and photos. For bulk printing Laser printers are faster than their inkjet counterparts and best for high volume printing, particularly text documents. They use a powder based toner that provides more print mileage than ink cartridges. For multi-function convenience

The Swiss army knife of printers, multi-function printers will also scan documents and serve as a copier. Many can also print directly from a memory card or USB stick and feature fax capability. For paper saving Duplex printing prints double-sided documents; check if the printer supports this function and opt for automatic re-feeding of the paper for convenience and speed. smartphone via Bluetooth, enabling you to print a high quality physical photo on instant film. Jazz up school projects, share snaps with classmates, friends and family, or stick them on the fridge. Check the specs Always make sure the printer you choose is compatible with the devices you wish to print from (computer, laptop, smartphone), and check the product specifications for PPM (pages per minute) to gauge printing speed. Also look for the DPI (dots per square inch) number – the higher it is, the better the print quality will be. For portable photo printing Pocket-sized photo printers connect to a

18 JANUARY 2023

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