Do you know what the difference between an A3 and an A4 copier is? If not, you are in the right place! We are here to break down the specifics of this commonly asked question.

What is an A4 Copier?

An A4 copier system is a multifunctional device that usually consists of a printer, scanner, and copier all in one. A4 copiers are often used in small businesses or home offices because they are compact and easy to use.

Most A4 copiers can print, scan, and copy both color and black-and-white documents. Some models also include features such as faxing and emailing capabilities.

When shopping for an A4 copier, it is important to consider the needs of your office or business. For example, An A4 copier system is a multifunctional device that usually consists of a printer, scanner, and copier all in one.

What is an A3 Copier?

A3 copiers are a type of multifunction printer (MFP) that can print, scan, copy, and fax documents up to 11×17 inches in size. A3 copiers are available in both color and black-and-white models, and they typically offer higher print resolutions and faster print speeds than smaller A4 MFPs.

In addition, many A3 copiers come equipped with built-in security features that can help to protect sensitive documents from unauthorized access. For example, some A3 copiers allow users to set up personal identification numbers (PINs) that must be entered in order to print or copy certain documents.

Other security features include the ability to track and limit user access, as well as encryption capabilities that can help to keep data safe from hackers. As businesses increasingly adopt bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, the demand for secure A3 copiers is likely to grow.

A3 vs A4 Copiers: It Comes Down to Printing Size

Simply put, the difference between the two is the paper size that each copier has the capability of printing. An A3 copier can print a variety of paper sizes: 8.5 x 11 (letter); 8.5 x 14 (legal); 11 x 17 (ledger). While an A4 copier can only print 8.5 x 11 (letter) and 8.5 x 14 (legal).

Which is Better for Your Office?

They are both great for different reasons. It will ultimately depend on your printing needs, space, and budget to determine which is better for your organization.

Printing Needs

A3 copiers are great for organizations that need to print larger items like flyers, charts, proposals, and presentations. But, if you rarely print those items and find yourself mainly printing letter-sized documents, an A4 copier might be best. If you need more advanced finishing solutions like stapling, hole punching, folding, etc., an A3 copier is the best choice.

While it is not impossible to add finishing options on A4 machines, they may be hard to find and there will not be as many choices due to their small size. Depending upon your business’ scanning and printing volume, A3 and A4 devices may be comparable in speed, but A3 devices are built to handle more robust document needs.

Space

Since A3 copiers can print on a variety of paper sizes, these machines are larger than A4 copiers. A4 copiers are smaller and more compact, so if you do not have a lot of open space in your office, these copiers would be a great option.

Budget

If you are trying to save money on upfront costs, A4 copiers are less expensive. But you should also take into consideration supplies and maintenance costs. Evaluate the number of employees your organization has and how much printing will occur on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis, as this will determine the number of supplies and maintenance the machine will need.

Still Unsure Which Would be Best for your Organization?

Deciding on a new copier for your organization can be challenging. There are a lot of factors that go into determining the perfect copier for your needs. CEI – The Digital Office is here to help! If you are still unsure which copier would be the best fit, our experienced team can walk through your current space and discuss your needs, wants, and concerns. Give us a call today at 919-781-8885 or fill out the form below to schedule a consultation.