HP Color Printers

Printers are a staple in any home or office environment, and an HP color printer is the perfect accessory to suit all of your printing needs. Both color and monochrome models are linked directly to a computer and work by transferring text and graphic images onto paper. They come in a variety of sizes and speeds, and can actually save you money over having copies professionally done.

Sizing Up the Benefits of an HP Color Printer

HP is just one brand of color printer that Staples carries in its line of computer accessories. Need ink replacements? Check out HP 06 cartridges for use with compatible printers. These machines deliver quality printing with every page. Choose a compact design for use in a teens' room or college dorm to assist with homework, or place one in a home office for printing invoices, coupons and even family photos.

Before choosing an HP color printer, decide what the primary use will be. These devices can be used to create full-color flyers for special sales and events at work or to produce greeting cards and other media. You can even pair one of the products with a mobile device to copy receipts or to generate a copy of an order for a customer.

Understanding the Options of Color Printers

HP printers provide a multitude of choices to select from. All-in-one designs let you copy, fax and print from a single machine, while some machines are made for one purpose in mind. Choose two-sided printing to help save money on paper or single copying when creating flyers.

If you work in a busy office that shares a single HP color printer, a wireless device is ideal for the job. They are easy to set up and can handle as many devices as you need as long as they don't all need to print simultaneously. Large thermal inkjet printers have the ability to print banners on canvas, while smaller photo printers work best when creating prints from a memory card or your device. You can also opt for a high-capacity printer with a large paper tray that saves time on reloading, or choose a small device to save space.

What Is the Difference Between an Inkjet and a Laserjet Printer?

The biggest difference between an inkjet and laserjet printer is the print speed and text print quality. Inkjet printers tend to be significantly slower, which is better for home offices or for those with smaller print needs. Laserjets can print up to 45 pages per minute or more, which is ideal for large companies and print production. Laserjet fuses toner onto paper for smudge-proof prints, while inkjets use ink that requires a drying time.

What Is the Best Paper for Printing Photos?

The quality of the photos you print typically depends on the quality of the paper and not the ink itself. When generating photos from an HP color printer, be sure to purchase a matte paper that bears the ColorLok Technology logo. The logo ensures the paper has been pretreated with a solution to make the prints look brighter and more realistic.

What Does PPI Refer to in Printing?

PPI refers to the pixels per inch that a printer delivers. The greater number of pixels, the higher quality your pictures will be. A high PPI capability means that pictures will be sharper and look better.