If you’re looking for a new printer or office copier, you’ve probably seen machines labeled “A4” and “A3.” This combination of a letter and a number may not mean much to you if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology. However, these labels can tell you a lot about a copier.
If you want to know the difference between an A4 and an A3 office copier, look no further. Here, we’ll discuss the two machines and explain what sets them apart.
What Is an A4 Copier?
An A4 copier is a multifunctional machine representing a blend of office copier, printer, fax machine, and scanner. Most A4 machines can handle both black-and-white and color documents. Many modern A4 copiers have email features that can help you streamline your workflow and enhance productivity.
A4 copiers are usually easy to use and compact. They’re suitable for businesses with low printing needs or home offices. These office copiers can handle only smaller paper sizes like A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches) or US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches). Some A4 copiers can also work with legal-size paper (8.5 x 14 inches) and smaller paper like postcards and envelopes.
If the functionality of an A4 copier suits your needs, this machine can be a budget-friendly option.
What Is an A3 Copier?
An A3 copier is also multifunctional and can be used for copying, printing, faxing, and scanning documents. Like A4 copiers, A3 copiers are available in black-and-white and color models. An A3 office copier usually offers higher resolution and print speed compared to an A4 copier. Many A3 copiers have built-in security features that ensure protection against unauthorized access.
An A3 copier can handle many paper sizes, including US tabloid-ledger, legal, letter, A4, envelopes, and postcards. The largest paper size this copier can handle is 11 x 17 inches (A3).
A3 copiers are ideal for those with high printing needs. Think of them as office workhorses that offer incredible versatility, durability, and efficiency.
Differences Between an A4 and an A3 Office Copier
Here are the key differences between an A4 and an A3 office copier.
Cost
When you’re purchasing a copier, one of the most important things to consider is the price. Generally, A3 copiers tend to cost more than A4 models because they’re larger and more versatile. However, this isn’t a universal rule. For example, a basic A3 copier with limited options can cost less than the latest A4 office copier with advanced features.
Keep in mind that the initial cost isn’t the only important factor. You should also think about the cost of maintenance and supplies over the machine’s lifespan. Think about your printing needs, calculate the total cost of ownership, and then make a decision.
Volume
As mentioned, A4 copiers are smaller than A3 copiers and therefore hold less toner. Those who have high printing needs and use an A4 copier will need to replace toner bottles often, which can be time-consuming. If your company prints more than 4,000-5,000 pages per month, you should invest in an A3 copier because it’s designed to handle a higher workload. An A4 office copier is a great choice for those who print less than 4,000-5,000 pages per month but still want excellent quality.
When considering the volume, it’s important to pay attention to your future printing needs. If you want to expand your business, you can expect to have higher printing needs in the near future. You don’t want to purchase a machine that can’t handle an increased workload and regret your decision in a few years.
Print Speed
Print speed represents the number of pages a printer can produce in a specific time. In most cases, this speed is expressed as “ppm” (pages per minute). A3 copiers tend to have higher print speeds. But this isn’t a rule. The print speed of every office copier varies depending on the manufacturer. It’s important not to confuse print speed with volume. A3 copiers can handle a higher volume, but that doesn’t mean they can always print more pages per minute.
Features and Capabilities
Both A4 and A3 copiers can be manufactured to handle tasks like copying, scanning, printing, and faxing. However, an A3 copier typically has more features and capabilities. For example, if you want to use a machine for stapling, folding, booklets, stacking, or three-hole punching, an A3 copier is the way to go. A3 copiers feature high-capacity drawers, allowing you to stock thousands of pages at once. These office copiers usually have an intuitive interface with a touch screen that works like a tablet. Last but not least, A3 copiers can handle larger paper sizes, which isn’t the case with A4 copiers.
Some models of A4 copiers, especially modern ones, offer plenty of interesting and useful features. However, they usually don’t come close to those of A3 office copiers.
Footprint
An A3 copier is what we usually picture when we think of an office copier. Since it can handle larger paper sizes and has a greater capacity than an A4, this copier takes up a lot more space (at least 3 x 3 feet).
A4 copiers are smaller and can be a great option for those who don’t have a lot of available space.
Durability
A3 copiers are typically made with high-quality materials. Since they’re manufactured to handle a high volume, these copiers are quite durable.
This doesn’t mean that A4 copiers are no good. They also feature excellent materials. However, they tend to have a shorter lifespan because they get overused. People often don’t estimate their printing needs correctly and use an A4 office copier for more than it can handle, which leads to faster wear and tear.
Choose the Right Office Copier
If you’re having trouble deciding between an A4 and an A3 copier, think about your team’s printing needs. Besides the volume, consider which printing size you use the most. For example, if you want to print flyers, charts, brochures, proposals, or other larger items, an A3 office copier is a better choice. On the other hand, if you want to print letter-sized documents, an A4 office copier is the way to go.
If you’re looking for a high-quality office copier and are located in the New York, Totowa, Pennsauken, Edison, or Ft. Washington areas, contact Docutrend. Whether you’re looking for a Canon office copier, Kyocera office copier, or something different, our experts will help you make the right choice for your business.