Finding your perfect printer

Are your printers the right size for your new needs? Your current models may still get the job done, but with many businesses downsizing their office space, it might be time to re-evaluate if you still need as many larger models. From an 18% reduction in space demand for European offices predicted over the next 3-4 years (and some industries such as finance and tech seeing even higher demand), to 63% of UK businesses taking the steps to reduce office space, it’s clear that organisations now have less room to play with. While they may once have needed multiple A3 printers, that may no longer be the case.

There’s no need to downsize if you’re still making full use of each A3 printer’s features. But if some of them could be replaced with A4 models, making this switch could free up a lot of valuable floor space. This is particularly salient if your teams find they make more use of scanning features than printing features, as underutilised A3 printers can easily be replaced with a much slimmer A4 device — for example, our MX-B468F black & white MFP is compact enough to fit on a desktop. 

On top of this, with greater flexibility over where they can be placed, A4 models offer a wider range of install locations, making them perfect for both individual or group use. Today’s A4 printers, such as Sharp’s A4 range, are designed to slot neatly into any office set-up and maximise available space, complementing your existing set-up without compromise. 
 

The way you work has changed, so it’s likely the way your teams use the office printers has changed, too. Research from IDC shows an acceleration of activity to optimise the number of devices within an organisation.* For example, tailoring device-placement to suit employee traffic, or an increase in MFPs replacing single-function devices. 

If you deal with a high volume of large-format printing like posters or brochures, you’ll naturally want to keep using your current selection of printers equipped to handle this. But with a growing focus on environmental impact, you may find yourself printing large sizes and quantities less frequently. If so, it might be wise to swap to something smaller. 

Ask yourself what functionality your teams need from a printer. If it’s just printing, our compact MX-C428P and MX-B468P models will serve you well. But if you need scanning and copying capabilities too, you’ll need an MFP. For simple single-sheet scanning, choose an A4 model with an RSPF (Reversing Single Pass Feeder) such as the BP-B537WR or BP-C533WR. Or for faster, multi-page scanning, choose one with a DSPF (Duplex Single Pass Feeder) like the BP-B547WD, BP-C542WD, or BP-C533WD for speedier performance.

If you require finishing capabilities, consider models that have an optional finisher, like the BP-B547WD, BP-B537WR, and BP-C542WD.

Next, consider your print volume. The paper capacity on our A4 devices range from 200-2850 sheets, and the output capacity ranges from 150-300 sheets, so there’s no need to spend more for extra capacity that you may not need. 

And finally, think about where your devices will be placed within your space. Are they for single-person usage, or shared by a team? For personal printing, the MX-B468F and MX-C358F models are suitable for use on a desktop, while our other A4 devices are floor standing with a small footprint, enabling them to slot in where A3 devices can’t. 

Either way, Sharp’s new A4 range has the same intuitive functionality and robust security features that your teams are used to, only in a more compact, space-saving package.  

*Source: IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Imaging, Printing, and Document Solutions 2024 Predictions. 

Your staff will be the ones using the printers, so it’s crucial that whichever set-up you choose meets their needs. As such, it’s vital to get their feedback on your current printer selection before diving into any changes. 

It can be all too easy to assume your team feels one way or the other about the printers in your office, but just because they haven’t volunteered their feedback yet doesn’t mean that they’re satisfied. There’s simply no other way to ensure that any new equipment will provide the right experience for them than to ask for their opinion, and doing so will eliminate the risk of frustration down the line. 

For example, do you know if they needed finishing capabilities (such as those provided by our optional finisher models, the BP-B547WD, BP-B537WR, and BP-C542WD) or stapling (possible with the MX-C358F, MX-C528F, MX-C428F, and MX-B468F models)? Ask them what they use your office printers for most, how they find using them, and what would make the experience easier for them — you might be surprised with the answers you receive. 

If they have cold feet around adapting to new tech, Sharp’s consistent user interface is designed to help all parties easily get to grips with the new models while minimising disruption and maximising productivity in the process.