I haven't had a printer in years. I had an HP printer that scanned, photocopied, etc., but it broke in only about 2 years and I never replaced it.
This year, I'm a room mom and I get the feeling that I'll be working on at least a few projects that require printing labels, tags, invitations, and such. I prefer to spend extra on a quality printer rather than replacing one every year.
Please give me some recommendations. Thank you!
If you just need to print stuff I suppose any printer is fine, but if you plan to use the prints with something like modge podge to decoupage you will need a laser printer because the ink from ink jets will run. I have been extremely happy with met HP laser jet pro 200.
Keep in mind that small in-home printers aren't always that economical. Are you planning to donate all of this, or is there a budget for expenses? A lot of our school volunteers use a USB flash drive and take stuff to the local quick printer, or they email them and occasionally provide their own specialty paper. The printer helps with set-up and any mistakes are "eaten" by them and not by you. The large printers they have are more economical overall.
If you need a printer for your own purposes, fine. But those ink cartridges aren't cheap, and if you're going to be doing invitations and flyers in color, it's going to get expensive. If you get a sheet of labels stuck in there, it can make a mess. Be sure to use the right weight of paper, and use a "big name" company for labels and name tags - don't use Dollar Store cheap stuff that can't handle the heat and "making the turn" in the paper feed.
If you don't care about the expenses, then do check out Consumer Reports. We have an Office Jet printer that does all the things you want - scans, prints B&W and color, etc. It's been a workhorse, but I agree that the technology changes so fast, it's hard to keep up. I really hate that printers are designed with planned obsolescence and they don't last more than a few years most of the time, and they can't be repaired.
Why don't you ask the school office if you can print the stuff here? I know when my kids where little their school would do that.
I got an HP printer (reasonably priced, good reviews) at Costco about a year ago. When I went to set it up it told me I was part of this instant ink type service. It is supposed to be very cost effective. So far, it has only billed me one time - and they send you ink before you run out. I Googled this fully before signing up for this and it seems to be a good deal. I do not print that often - but when I do, I am printing photos. So I do use a fair bit when I do. It works for my needs. The pictures print out nicely and I just get basic photo paper for HP printers.
I am sure there are better printers out there - but for school projects, and printing photos to give to friends, etc. it is fine.
I have a Mac and also an HP PC and set up (wireless) was super easy with both - no issues.
My last HP just died without warning. I'd had it for years. So sometimes I think these things have a limited use period. That's why I don't spend a ton on them personally.
It's been a while but I remember that how often the ink cartridges need to be replaced is a big deal as that can be very expensive.
Whenever I'm looking for a techie item I go on Amazon and read the reviews. You'll probably get a lot more tips there than here. Even if you don't buy it from Amazon the reviews are still very helpful!
Gee, the technology changes so rapidly that even if I bought a printer last year the info I used to make my decision would be obsolete by now.
When ever I'm in the market to buy anything - I check out Consumer Reports.
They review multiple products and bring up questions I never would have considered.
It helps me make purchases that fit my budget and purposes.
Good luck!
I agree with Diane's advice, before you jump to buy a printer you should familiarize yourself with other options in your area. Explore the price of printing at your local "UPS Store", "FedEx Kinko's", or small printing shops. The UPS and FedEx stores even have options for customers to create things on their home computers and email them to a store email address to be printed in-store. And you do not have to worry about those printers breaking or running out of ink!
Furthermore, maybe you can print at school?
Don't buy Epson, their printers require you use their ink and if one cartridge goes out (i.e. black or color), you have to replace both of them. Big waste of money and ink. I'll never buy one again.
I've had good luck with an inexpensive HP wireless printer. You can print from your phone, computer, ipad, etc. - you just need to set it up on your wifi.
Also, I buy refilled (reused) cartridges on ebay for very little money and they work just fine (Epson has some chip in there that won't allow you to do that.)
My current printer is an HP 2540, but there are plenty of others.
I've had my HP All in one for 4 years and haven't had a problem with it.
It's color and black and white.
