Back to School: Best Printers for Different Types of Students

While much of today’s coursework is online, it never hurts to have a good printer. Whether this is for your final term paper, notes for a group study session, or handouts to get everyone on the same page, so to speak, you will need a good printer to get it done. Photography students can also benefit from a specialized printer to have complete control over their final images. Here are a few options that would make a great choice for a dorm room or apartment.

The Workhorse: Brother HL-L2460DW

If all you need is a simple printer to get your papers from your computer to class, the Brother HL-L2460DW Compact Monochrome Laser Printer will get the job done. With a print speed of up to 36 ppm you can quickly churn out documents at the touch of a button, making this a great option for days when you are running late. Automatic duplex printing is another helpful function, saving on paper and allowing you to create booklets with ease. With maximum resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi and a range of media types from 3 x 5" up to 8.5 x 14", students can enjoy great flexibility and quality. Additionally, the HL-L2460DW has Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning you don’t have to worry about running cables around your room, although USB 2.0 is still an option. Users should note that this model only offers black-and-white printing, but its reasonable price makes it a great option for students who won’t need color prints for their work.

All-in-One Upgrade: Brother MFC-L2820DW

If you want more than basic printing, an all-in-one like the Brother MFC-L2820DW is worth checking out. This printer features printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, providing more functions advantageous to students. It shares many basic specifications with the HL-L2460DW mentioned above, including its maximum resolution, size flexibility, and monochrome limitation. Scanning, employs 1200 x 1200 dpi optical resolution to create sharp, full-color images or black-and-white scans. Additionally, it has USB 2.0, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Space Saver: HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Inkjet Printer

For the student who is pressed for time and space, the HP OfficeJet 250 is the perfect fit. This printer is compact and mighty, producing vibrant, full-color prints in resolutions of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. It can print in batches, is capable of scanning and copying, and works on a variety of media including envelopes, labels, and cards. Additionally, the OfficeJet 250 supports standard plug-in and battery options for on-the-go printing, making it well-suited for the impromptu late-night study session or group project. With wireless and standard USB 2.0 connectivity options, you and your peers can print directly from a smartphone or tablet.

The Do-Everything: Canon PIXMA G6020 MegaTank

The Canon PIXMA G6020 MegaTank printer is a one-stop shop, full-color printer offering scanning, copying, and faxing. The priciest part of owning a printer is always the ink, and the new MegaTank designs should help alleviate a good portion of that stress. Capable of printing up to 6,000 black or 7,700 color prints on a single fill, this printer will last you for a long time before you even have to think about ink. It even comes with an extra pair of black inks for getting another 12,000 pages out—hopefully enough for all your papers. Generally, the G6020 is very capable, with 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution and speeds of up to 13 ipm in black and 6.8 ipm in color. There is even Wi-Fi and mobile printer support for wireless workflows.

For Photographers: Epson SureColor P700

Photographers looking to create professional-grade prints might seek a cut above a standard inkjet or laser printer. Epson offers the Surecolor P700, a reasonably priced and exceptionally capable unit that builds upon the qualities of its predecessors. This photo-specific printer distinguishes itself with a broad swath of pigmented ink to render sharp, bold, gallery-quality prints. For black-and-white printing, the 10-channel print head has dedicated channels for matte black and photo black printing, meaning no manual switching to achieve your desired photo finish. All printing settings for the SureColor P700 are adjustable and easily accessible through a color touchscreen. And, as with many of the other units, it has Wi-Fi alongside more conventional USB 2.0 and Ethernet connections.

If You Want Bigger Photos: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000

The imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 was a seriously impressive release from Canon when it first appeared, and is still one of the best professional desktop printers available today. Able to work with all types of media up to 17" wide, this model can help you expand your portfolio to include some sizeable prints. For enhanced quality, the PRO-1000 uses an 11-color LUCIA PRO pigment-based ink set with four monochrome inks. A supplemental Chroma Optimizer is employed to reduce metamerism in your prints, while the handy two-way vacuum feeder avoids damaging your media as it is fed through. Additional connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi and Ethernet for networking, alongside its standard USB 2.0 connection. This array of features and quality is part of why the School of the International Center for Photography, or ICP, uses these printers in its digital labs.

When photographers first start printing, one of the most common questions is, “Why doesn’t this look like it does on the screen?” A solution for this scenario is to calibrate your monitor using a device like the Datacolor SpyderX Pro Colorimeter, which measures the color and luminance of your screen and creates a profile that ensures a more consistent and accurate display for your color-editing work. Why tear your hair out over wasted ink? It’s a great idea to calibrate your monitor—and calibrating will ensure that your prints match what you see on the display.