Did you know that about 1.6 trillion papers are printed annually?
That’s a lot of paperwork!
Considering the ever dynamic world of business, these numbers may rise even higher. More paper means more trees cut down.
Scanners are among the first office tools invented in an effort to reduce paperwork.
If you’re looking to reduce clutter in your office and conserve the environment, you may want to consider investing in a scanner. But, what are the different types of scanners and which one is appropriate for you?
Read on to find out which scanner is right for your business.
What Are the Different Types of Scanners?
Scanners read printed texts or images on hard copies and convert them into digital files. This reduces paper loads in the office, giving you ample space to be more productive.
Some of the common types include:
1. Flatbed Scanners
Flatbeds are one of the most common types of scanners used in an office. They’re characterized by a large glass surface with a scanning mechanism beneath and a protective lid at the top.
Despite their hefty price tag, flatbeds can be used to scan legal-sized documents and even larger items, such as books. You can also use them to scan photos, 3D objects, and DVD covers.
For businesses with high processing needs, flatbeds come in handy thanks to their high scanning speed.
2. Sheetfed Scanners
These types of scanners are similar to flatbeds, but they’re smaller and more affordable.
To use this device, place a document or photo into the automatic feeder. Although these scanners can scan large stacks of papers, they can’t work on books and large-sized papers that don’t fit into the feeder.
In addition, sheetfed scanners are known to occupy less space, further de-cluttering your office space.
3. Large-Format Scanners
Both flatbed and sheetfed scanners have limits when it comes to the size of the document they can scan. If you’re working with large pages, large-format scanners are your best bet.
Typically, these scanners are used to scan architectural drawings and blueprints. As such, they occupy a significant amount of space.
They work pretty much like sheetfed scanners, where you feed your large-sized document on one side, it goes through the scanning mechanism and comes out on the other side.
4. Portable Scanners
Portable scanners are designed to solve your scanning needs while you’re on the go. While their small size enhances portability, they can only scan a document line by line.
Also, if quality is your priority, portable scanners may not be your ideal type of a scanner, especially if you’re scanning images. Nonetheless, they’re the best scanners to scan business cards.
5. Integrated Scanners
If you’re looking for cutting edge technology, consider investing in an integrated scanner.
Integrated scanners have a strong read performance and can scan efficiently in low light conditions. This makes them suitable for scanning images as well as barcodes.
Choose the Right Scanner for Your Business
The first step toward choosing the right scanner is knowing what are the different types of scanners available on the market. From there, you can make a decision depending on the functionality of each type of scanner.
At Hartford Technology Rental, we rent out all types of scanners to businesses. Give us a call at 888-520-5667 or get in touch with us to rent the right one.