A printer is one of the top resources for teachers.
Even in the modern era, where technology is slowly seeping into every aspect of regular life, the printed hard copy document is quite valuable for students in the classroom.
Many school budgets don’t include laptops for everyone, which is why hard-copy documents are so crucial for teachers.
Education is a vast world that’s never one-size-fits-all. What works for a Kindergarten teacher is completely different than what works for someone teaching high school English.
While every teacher looks for different aspects when getting a printer at home, there are some great products on the market that cover a lot of the important needs of every educator.
Let’s dive in and see what works for your classroom and budget.
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Who Should Get This
If you’re a teacher, you need to print documents to keep your students on track. So, the question isn’t necessarily if teachers should get one, but which model best fits their situation.
Elementary school teachers will want to print in color and have the option to create beautiful pictures for their blossoming students.
In contrast, high school teachers who teach more advanced concepts may not need as much creative flair. Black and white should be fine.
Best Color Printers for Teachers: Our Picks
Here are our top recommendations, along with a quick review of each printer so you get to know its pros and cons.
1. HP Envy 6055e Wireless Color Printer
HP is a wildly popular brand with teachers due to its ease of use and affordable pricing. This printer is the epitome of versatility.
It allows you to print, scan, or copy pages and beautiful pictures in all different size ranges. This also has a mailing label option for those progress reports home to parents.
You never have to worry about ink either thanks to the HP Ink program that mails you refills at a fraction of the regular ink prices.
What We Like:
- HP Smart app allows printing and scanning through your smartphone
- Included one year warranty
- 24/7 HP Customer Support
- 2-sided printing option saves on paper
What We Don’t Like:
- Print speed could be faster
2. Brother DCPL2550DW
What this printer lacks in mobility, it makes up for in performance and speed. With its 36-pages-per-minute print speed, the Brother DCPL2550DW cuts your planning time down significantly.
With its 250-page paper tray, you won’t waste all of your time constantly refilling paper. The high-volume performance doesn’t stop there, either. You can also scan up to 50 pages at once.
What We Like:
- Wireless printing available from any device
- Toner Save Mode
- Fast, efficient performance
What We Don’t Like:
- Black and white only printing is a bit limited
3. Canon PIXMA G5020 MegaTank
The MegaTanks printers from Canon have a great reputation due to their speed and ink quality. They also never run out of juice thanks to the innovative GI-20 ink bottles that take the guesswork out of printer ink.
Just check the levels and refill as needed with their easy pour bottle. Don’t fret too much on ink supply, however, as the tank holds enough ink to supply you with over 6,000 pages before running out. Even teachers can’t out-print this one.
What We Like:
- Save hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars on ink
- Prints beautiful color images
- Ideal for the busy teacher with a big workload
What We Don’t Like:
- Printer installation and setup can be tricky
Choosing a Color Printer for Teachers: What to Consider
Speed
Let’s face it, teachers work long days, and nobody wants to add to that time waiting for documents to print.
One of the most important features to look for in a teacher’s printer is how many pages per minute it can produce.
Fast models reduce downtime and let you get back to more important tasks. Faster is always better.
Wireless Connectivity
Teachers should always ask themselves how important it is to be able to print from a mobile device. The ability to print wirelessly can save some time and effort.
It may also be beneficial for those last-minute, or unexpected, print jobs in the middle of a lesson. Look for this feature whenever possible.
Ink Refills
Anyone who owns a printer knows how expensive it can cost to keep your machine filled with ink.
For teachers who, more often than they should, have to fork over their own hard-earned money for supplies, the cost of ink can add up fast.
Many printer companies have special ink programs that can save you hundreds on ink refills. Look for those and try your best to get one that matches your use.
Some Useful Tips
It seems like we’ve beaten the ink and paper supply issues to death, but if you find yourself printing a lot, you could need a part-time job just to pay for extra classroom supplies.
Fortunately, there are a couple of simple ways to save on ink. The first is to start printing all of your documents front and back. That greatly saves on paper in the long run.
As for ink, you can always join a subscription plan. Brands like HP offer special deals that give you two free months of ink upon setup and numerous discounts afterward.
For those teachers who are printing machines, this plan could save you hundreds of dollars a year. Other printers offer Toner Save Mode or the ability to use less ink and print slightly less rich text. Again, these are small steps towards big savings.
Final Thoughts
Printers are often the backbone of teachers’ lessons because of the content they provide their students on a daily basis.
Yes, virtual learning may be the wave of the future, but nothing beats getting every kid engaged in a lesson with accompanying worksheets that drive home your point. If you need a reliable device, the above machines are for you.
Do you use a printer in your classroom? What do you use it for the most? Let us know below!
