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Buying a printer should be simple, yet the choices are messy: inkjet vs laser, mono vs colour, cartridges vs tanks, A3 vs A4, wired vs wireless. This guide cuts through the noise for New Zealand homes and small businesses. You’ll learn how a printer works, the main types, what each is good at, real-world pros and cons, and a clear process to pick and set up the right device for life in Aotearoa.

Whether you need fast black-and-white pages for work, lab-quality photos, a wireless printer for the family, or a reliable machine for GST invoices and courier labels, you’ll find the essentials here—explained in plain English.

What is

A printer is a device that turns digital files into physical documents or images on paper or labels. In New Zealand, most households use an inkjet printer for schoolwork and photos, or a mono laser printer for crisp, low-cost text. Offices often choose an all-in-one printer (also called a multifunction printer or MFP) that scans and copies as well.

Key outcomes a modern printer can deliver:

• Sharp text for reports, invoices, and forms
• Colour graphics and charts for study or client work
• Photo prints on glossy paper, borderless if needed
• Labels for parcels, storage, or barcodes
• Duplex (two-sided) printing to save paper

How it works

Inkjet printing in brief

An inkjet printer pushes microscopic drops of liquid ink onto paper through a print head. Most use CMYK colour (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Some photo printers add extra colours for smoother gradients.

• Print head: thousands of nozzles eject ink. Thermal heads heat ink to create bubbles; piezo heads (common in Epson models) flex tiny crystals to push ink.
• Cartridges or tanks: cartridges are sealed containers; ink tank printers (also called refillable or bulk-ink) use bottles to top up fixed tanks.
• Resolution (DPI): more dots per inch can mean finer detail, though paper quality matters as much.

Laser printing in brief

A laser printer uses static electricity and toner (fine powder) to fuse an image onto paper.

• Imaging drum: a laser “draws” your page on a charged drum.
• Toner cartridge: toner sticks to the charged areas, then transfers to paper.
• Fuser: heat and pressure bond toner to the page for crisp, durable text.

Laser printers are typically faster, with sharp black text and a low cost per page. Colour laser models add toner for cyan, magenta, and yellow.

Paper handling and connectivity

• Paper path: trays for A4, some for A3; a manual feed slot for heavy media; an automatic document feeder (ADF) on many all-in-one printers for scanning stacks.
• Duplex unit: flips pages for two-sided printing automatically.
• Connections: USB, Ethernet, or Wi‑Fi. Most wireless printers support AirPrint (Apple), Mopria (Android), and Wi‑Fi Direct for quick phone printing.
• Drivers and apps: Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS install drivers; mobile apps handle scanning to phone or cloud.

Types / examples

Inkjet printer

Great for mixed use. You’ll get good colour for schoolwork and photos. Keep in mind the ink can dry if not used for long periods.

Ink tank printer (refillable)

Also an inkjet, but with refillable tanks and bottles. Very low running costs and excellent for families or small offices that print a lot.

Mono laser printer

Fast, reliable black-and-white pages with sharp text. The best choice if you mostly print documents and want the lowest hassle and cost per page.

Colour laser printer

Good for business graphics and charts with clean edges. Photo quality lags behind photo inkjets, but durability and speed are strong.

All-in-one printer (MFP)

Print, scan, copy, and often fax in one device. Popular for home offices, schools, and SMEs across NZ. Look for an ADF if you scan multi-page documents.

Photo printer

Optimised for photo paper and colour fidelity. Some print up to A3+ for posters or portfolios.

Portable and label printers

Compact devices for on-the-go A4 printing or dedicated thermal label printers for shipping labels and barcodes (handy for Trade Me sellers and small e-commerce stores).

Quick comparison

Type	Best for	Typical cost per page	Speed (ppm)	Pros	Cons
Inkjet	Mixed home use, photos	Mono ~5–10c; Colour ~10–30c	5–20	Good colour; compact; affordable upfront	Ink can dry; higher per-page cost
Ink tank (refillable)	Families, home offices, heavy users	Mono ~0.5–2c; Colour ~1–3c	5–20	Very low running cost; less waste	Higher purchase price
Mono laser	Text documents, study, invoices	~2–5c	20–40+	Sharp text; fast; toner doesn’t dry	No colour
Colour laser	Business graphics, durable prints	Mono ~3–6c; Colour ~10–20c	18–35	Clean lines; reliable; duplex common	Bulkier; photos not lab-quality

Pros and cons

Inkjet printer

• Pros: strong colour, photo-friendly, lower upfront cost, compact size
• Cons: cost per page can be high with cartridges, nozzles may clog if rarely used

Ink tank printer

• Pros: cheapest cost per page, great for students and families, fewer cartridge changes
• Cons: higher initial price, still needs occasional prints to keep heads clear

Mono laser printer

• Pros: ultra-reliable text, fast first page, toner stores well, ideal for GST invoices and forms
• Cons: black-and-white only, colour devices cost more

Colour laser printer

• Pros: durable output, smudge-resistant, accurate business graphics
• Cons: larger footprint, heavier, photo realism limited

All-in-one printer (MFP)

• Pros: scanning and copying built in; ADF saves time; good value for home offices
• Cons: more moving parts; if one function fails, servicing affects all

How to use or choose

How to set up a new printer (step-by-step)

1. Unbox carefully and remove all blue/orange tapes and protective inserts.
2. Install cartridges or toner as shown in the quick start guide. For ink tanks, fill to the max line and cap bottles firmly.
3. Load paper: start with plain A4; adjust guides snugly to avoid jams.
4. Power on and select language, region (New Zealand), and time.
5. Connect: use USB for a simple, single-computer setup, or Wi‑Fi for phones and laptops. Prefer 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi if the printer doesn’t support 5 GHz.
6. Install drivers/apps on Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS, or use AirPrint/Mopria on phones.
7. Run alignment and a nozzle check (inkjet) or a calibration (laser) for best quality.
8. Update firmware if prompted to improve reliability and security.
9. Enable duplex printing by default to save paper.
10. Print a test page, then set scan-to-email or cloud if your all-in-one printer supports it.

How to choose the right printer in NZ

• What you print: mostly text? Pick a mono laser printer. Mixed documents and photos? An inkjet or ink tank printer suits better. Heavy colour charts? Colour laser.
• Monthly volume: check the recommended duty cycle. Occasional printing is fine for most devices; frequent batches (hundreds per week) call for a sturdier laser or an ink tank printer.
• Running cost: compare cost per page. Use the cartridge or bottle price divided by the ISO page yield (mono and colour). This matters more than the ticket price.
• Paper size and features: need A3, borderless photos, an ADF, or duplex printing? Make a must-have list first.
• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi and AirPrint/Mopria support make phone printing simple. Ethernet helps in busy homes and offices.
• Space and noise: measure the desk or shelf, including space to open trays and the scanner lid.
• Supplies in NZ: check cartridge/toner availability from local retailers (PB Tech, Noel Leeming, Warehouse Stationery, Harvey Norman) and online stores.
• Warranty and service: look for at least a 1–2 year warranty. Business users may want on-site service or managed print support.
• Sustainability: auto-duplex, high-yield supplies, and energy-efficient modes reduce waste and power use.

Running costs explained

Cost per page (CPP) = supply price ÷ ISO page yield. For example, if a black toner costs $120 and yields 3,000 pages, CPP is 4c per page. Colour CPP usually totals the three colour toners plus black divided by their yields. Choose high-yield cartridges or bottles when possible to cut costs and reduce packaging.

Maintenance and longevity

• Inkjet care: print a colour page every week or two to keep nozzles clear. Use genuine or high-quality third-party paper for photos to avoid smudges.
• Laser care: store toner sealed and flat; avoid humid rooms to reduce paper curl and jams.
• Paper matters: cheap paper sheds more fibres; choose a 80–90 gsm office paper for everyday work, heavier stock for double-sided colour.
• Firmware and security: keep updates on; set an admin password; enable WPA2/WPA3 for Wi‑Fi printers.
• End-of-life and recycling: don’t bin e‑waste. Many councils run e‑waste drop‑offs, and TechCollect NZ accepts eligible devices at partner sites. Empty cartridges can often be recycled via manufacturer or retailer schemes.

FAQ

What’s the difference between an inkjet printer and a laser printer?

Inkjet printers spray liquid ink and excel at colour and photos. Laser printers use toner and a fuser for fast, crisp text and low running costs, especially in mono.

Which printer is cheapest to run?

Ink tank printers and mono laser printers usually have the lowest cost per page. For heavy colour use, ink tanks often beat colour lasers on running costs.

Is a wireless printer reliable on NZ home Wi‑Fi?

Yes, if your router signal is strong near the printer. Use 2.4 GHz for longer range, assign a fixed IP if you have dropouts, and keep firmware updated.

Do I need an all-in-one printer?

If you scan or copy more than occasionally, an all-in-one printer with an ADF saves time. If you rarely scan, a simple single‑function printer plus a phone scanning app may be enough.

What is duplex printing?

Duplex printing automatically prints on both sides of the page. It saves paper and gives documents a tidy, professional look.

How important is print speed (PPM)?

For occasional jobs, any modern printer will do. If you print often, aim for 20+ ppm mono for lasers and 10–15 ppm for inkjets. First page out time matters too.

Can I print from my phone?

Most modern wireless printers support AirPrint (iPhone/iPad) and Mopria (Android). Connect to the same Wi‑Fi and print from the share menu.

Should I buy an A3 printer?

Choose an A3 printer if you plan posters, plans, spreadsheets wider than A4, or photo enlargements. Otherwise, an A4 printer is smaller and cheaper to run.

Are third‑party cartridges safe to use?

Quality varies. Some work well; others can clog heads (inkjet) or give poor yield. Using non‑genuine supplies may affect warranty terms—check the manufacturer policy.

Where can I recycle an old printer in New Zealand?

Use e‑waste drop‑off services run by councils or programmes like TechCollect NZ. Many retailers also accept devices for recycling—check local options before you go.

What features matter for small business?

Look for an all-in-one laser or ink tank printer with duplex, ADF, Ethernet, secure printing (PIN), and easy scanning to email or cloud. Confirm toner or bottle availability and service support in NZ.

Why does my inkjet printer show lines or banding?

Run a nozzle check and head clean, align the print head, use the right paper setting, and choose a higher quality mode for heavy colour areas.

What’s duty cycle?

It’s the maximum number of pages a printer can handle per month. Stay well below the absolute maximum; use the “recommended monthly volume” as your guide for longevity.

Final tips for Kiwis

If you mostly print black text, a mono laser printer is hard to beat. For families that print a bit of everything, an ink tank printer balances colour quality with low running cost. Check supply prices before you buy, verify Wi‑Fi features like AirPrint and Mopria, and set duplex as default to save paper. When the job’s done and the printer’s life is over, recycle it responsibly—there are good options across New Zealand.