Beyond Photocopiers, Printers, Scanners, Plotters & Smart Boards
Printer, Scanner or Plotter: Which Does Your Office Need?
Printer, scanner, plotter or smart board? Offices and schools in Kerala often buy one when they actually need another. This guide explains what each one is for, who needs it, and when the photocopier you already have covers the job.
Printers, When You Don't Need a Full Photocopier
A dedicated printer suits low volumes, or a second device near one team that should not queue at the photocopier. Standard multifunction printers cover everyday office work. Ink tank models, such as Epson EcoTank, usually cost less per page and suit higher volumes, so compare the cost per page before you compare the price. See current options on the printers, scanners and plotters page. If you copy and print in large numbers every day, a photocopier or MFP is the better fit.
Scanners, Solving a Different Problem Than Printing
Document scanners solve a specific problem, digitizing paper records, contracts, or archives, that a photocopier’s built-in scan function often isn’t fast enough to handle at volume. A standalone scanner from a dedicated scanner dealer in Kerala is worth considering if your office regularly processes batches of documents, invoices, HR records, legal files, since dedicated scanners handle automatic document feeding and higher scan speeds far better than a general multifunction device. If you digitise records in batches, look at document scanners with automatic feeding.
Plotters, For When You Need to Print Bigger
Plotters exist for one clear reason: standard printers max out at A3, and some work simply needs to be bigger. Architects, engineering firms, and any business producing large-format drawings, blueprints, or technical diagrams need a plotter, not a printer. Before you buy, ask for the maximum print width, the ink type and the running cost per print. See plotters and large-format printers on the main page.
Teachmint Smart Boards, Built for a Different Audience Entirely
A Teachmint smart board is a touch-enabled 4K display built for classrooms and training rooms, with optional cameras for hybrid or recorded sessions. To choose a size and see what else to budget for, read our Teachmint smart board size and price guide, or browse interactive panels and displays.
How to Decide What Your Office or Institution Actually Needs
The simplest way to think about it: photocopiers and printers handle everyday document output, scanners handle digitizing what you already have on paper, plotters handle anything too large for a standard printer, and smart boards are a classroom tool, not an office one. Most businesses only need one or two of these, not all four, so the right move is matching the equipment to the actual problem you’re solving, not buying based on what sounds comprehensive.
- Only print: a printer.
- Print, scan and copy, shared by a team: an MFP.
- Scan records in batches: a document scanner.
- Large drawings or posters: a plotter.
- Teach in a classroom or training room: a smart board.
Not sure which one you need? Send us your monthly page count and room details and the team will suggest a fit.
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FAQ's
Do I need a scanner if my photocopier already scans?
If your scanning needs are occasional, your photocopier’s built-in scanner is probably enough. A dedicated scanner is worth it once you’re processing regular batches of documents.
What's the difference between a printer and a plotter?
Printers handle standard paper sizes up to A3. Plotters are built for large-format printing, architectural drawings, blueprints, and posters, well beyond what a standard printer can produce.
Can a Teachmint smart board be used outside a classroom?
Yes, training rooms and corporate meeting spaces use them too, though they’re most commonly deployed in schools.
Which is better for a small office, a printer or an MFP?
If you also scan and copy, an MFP replaces three devices. If you only print, a printer is simpler and cheaper to buy.
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