Being new to purchasing a new multifunction printer or office copier is indeed overwhelming, especially when you are researching different options to secure buying the correct machine to meet all the office needs. While searching, you will come across the terms like A3 and A4. In this blog, we shall elaborate on the meanings of A3 and A4 and state how you should decide the machine type perfect for business.

A3

11.69 x 16.53 inches is the international paper size for A3. It is similar to Ledger papers of 11 x 17 inches. An A3 multifunction printer can handle A4, A3, ledger, letter as well as the selected smaller sized paper like envelopes.

A4

8.27 x 11.69 inches is the international size of the A4 size papers. It is similar to Letter papers of 8.5 x 11 inches. An A4 multifunction printer is more compact, skilfully designed for handling A4, legal, letter and selected smaller sized papers like envelopes. It will not be able to print A3 or ledger-sized papers.

How To Decide on the Right Printer for Your Office?

While deciding on the ideal office printers for your business firm in Perth, you have to take care of multiple factors along with the paper size capabilities.

Printer Size

Is space among the major concern at your official space? An A3 printer is larger compared to an A4 printer since A3 printers have to accommodate handling 11 x 17 inches of paper, which results in a larger frame. The printer could occupy a lot of space in an office, but its size favours more durable parts along with solid construction.

Alternatively, A4 printers are much smaller in size since they just handle smaller paper sizes. A4 printers range from small desktop machine standalone devices having multiple drawers. An A4 multifunction printer is not only a desktop printer.

Functionalities of the Printer

Your business might need finishing capabilities like 3-hole punching, folding, and stapling.

Suppose you have planned to create a brochure, or a booklet or a 3-hole punched document - then you will need an A3 printer, that will even serve as the official photo printer for your business unit in Perth. The A3 printers consist of a lot of optional equipment accessories as well as finishing products. Since A4 printers are smaller in size, so it becomes difficult in including the finishing options. A4 printers have limited accessory options, for instance, stapling.

Differences in Pricing

Are you aware of the cost price each time you are printing? The printer's base cost will be higher while using the A3 printer, due to its design and greater capabilities. Nevertheless, along with the equipment, the cost of supplies and services even affect the all-around costs.

Printing with the A4 printer with keeping the costs low is a challenge, taking the supplies and services into account, which are typically higher. Most A4 multi-function printers do not have high page yields. Thus, ink and toner will have to be regularly used for replacement. It is because of this that A4 printers cost more for each page.

It will be easy for you to determine the cost-effective office printer for your business on the basis of your anticipated page volume as well as your working environment. If you have to print less than 5000 pages each month, or your office has been split into smaller workgroups, then the cost-effective option for you is an A4 printer. But if you have to print above 5000 pages each month, and a lot of people have to use the device, then an A3 printer will be the best office printer choice.

Even if your business plan is creating large volumes of scans and copies, then the correct choice is the A3 multifunction printer.

Define Your Printing Needs

A series of factors determine the printing needs. The document type being printed, whether colours are needed and the available floor space are the chief factors. Once you have the completely defined picture of the printer type as your business need, then you can select the appropriate office printer. Include the employees in your discussion, for evaluating how and what are they printing. Before you have decided on a printer you have to assess your budget and include all the continuing maintenance costs as well.

As soon as you are clear with the differences between the A3 and A4 printers, then it will become convenient for you to make a proper decision. An A4 printer is suitable for smaller projects, which does not need much accuracy. But when the print volume needs high, then definitely, the safer choice is the A3 printer.