In an age of 3D printing, vivid digital imagery and high-resolution colour displays, monochrome printers might seem like a hangover from an earlier era. However, these first impressions are misplaced. Monochrome printers continue to play a significant role in a variety of settings and can offer distinct advantages when it comes to meeting specific needs, reducing costs and ensuring a sustainable approach to printing.
Here we’ll take a look at monochrome printers, the latest advancements in monochrome printing technology and their continued relevance in the modern workplace.
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What is monochrome?
When it comes to printing, monochrome refers to a printer’s ability to produce printed materials in a single colour. This will typically be black. Unlike colour printers that render multiple colours, monochrome printers are limited to greyscale or black and white output. This contrasts with multichrome, which refers to the capability to produce printed materials in multiple colours, using an inkjet or a laser printer.
To some people the concept of monochrome harks back to the early days of photography. The first photographs, originating in the 19th century, marked a groundbreaking milestone in the history of visual representation. These early photographs, captured on light-sensitive materials, presented monochromatic renditions of the world. The comparison quickly ends as the process between the two is quite different: with early photographic processes like daguerreotype or calotype, these being the processes of exposing light-sensitive materials to create a latent image, which was then chemically developed; compared with a printer laying down inks or powder to make an image.
When monochrome is the best choice
Colour printing has delivered a range of benefits for domestic and commercial users. While it has its advantages, there are a number of use cases where monochrome printers may be a superior choice. In settings where colour is rarely or never used, monochrome can be the most cost-effective option. For example, in offices that principally print text-based documents, typically legal firms or administrative departments, a monochrome printer may be a better choice than an A3 colour laser printer, or something similar.
Monochrome printers are frequently a resource minimising choice, as they offer excellent legibility and clarity while minimising energy use. They can also be faster and more efficient when printing large volumes of text, making them ideal for high-volume printing environments.
As with photocopier rental, MFPs can be leased through office printer lease schemes, ensuring cost-effective access to the latest printing technology without the need for significant upfront investments. Leasing eliminates the need for significant capital outlay and provides flexibility for upgrades. Maintenance and support services are often included in leasing agreements, reducing downtime and minimizing IT burdens. Tax advantages and scalability are additional benefits. Office printer lease schemes provide businesses with convenient and affordable access to advanced printing technology, allowing them to focus on core operations.
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The new Sharp range of monochrome printers
At the end of 2022, Sharp announced that they would be launching a new range of monochrome printers that have been designed to meet the needs of hybrid workforces. The new BP-70M and BP-50M Series of A3 Monochrome MFPs include new connectivity features and state of the art-security measures to provide businesses with a seamless and secure modern print solution.
These eleven new models are geared towards the needs of the modern office and are equipped with speeds ranging from 26ppm to 65ppm. They are capable of supporting demanding tasks for both medium and large work groups, making print management simple.
The BP70M series has time-saving features such as multi-sheet feed detection and an enhanced auto skew correction to help users speed through their jobs. The 300-sheet duplexing, single-pass feature scans documents at up to 280 images per minute for enhanced productivity and efficiency.
Sharp’s introduction of the BP-70M and BP-50M monochrome models, along with the previously launched A3 colour MFPs, marks the completion of the innovative Future Workplace MFP Series. This comprehensive range of printers is designed to facilitate the creation of dynamic and secure workplaces that are adaptable to the evolving needs of the future.
With a blend of advanced features and cutting-edge technology, these printers provide businesses with the tools they need to establish flexible and secure environments that are conducive to collaboration and productivity.
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A commitment to sustainability
With increased corporate and personal understanding of the need for sustainable solutions, print technology has been under the microscope. With this in mind, Sharp designed our new range of MFPs with the environmental goals of businesses in mind.
In practice, this means that the new MFPs require fewer parts to be heated, while the new system allows for quicker warm-up, lowering the overall energy consumption of the printer.
The new MFPs were designed with businesses’ environmental goals in mind, fitted with innovative energy-saving features such as pad-fusing technology and new low melt toner properties.
This forms a part of the company’s broader, ‘Eco Vision 2050 Long-Term Environmental Vision’, which sets a range of ambitious environmental and sustainability goals, such as promoting clean energy products and services and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sharp actively pursues a circular economy by incorporating recycled materials into all products parts, minimising waste. Sharp also maintains stringent management of chemical substances to safeguard human health, the environment, and ecosystems.
Sharp’s Eco Vision 2050, established in 2019, is the company’s long-term environmental plan aimed at contributing to global sustainability. The plan focuses on three main areas: combating climate change by promoting clean energy products and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; resource recycling through product recycling and waste reduction; and ensuring safety and security by managing and restricting the use of chemicals that can harm human health or the environment. Sharp is also setting medium-term goals with specific activities and targets to expedite progress towards its Eco Vision 2050.
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Monochrome printers are here to stay
Monochrome printers still play a key role in offices and other working environments and are often a practical as well as sustainable choice. With leading printer manufacturers like Sharp developing a new range of MFPs, the demise of the monochrome printer may well have been overstated.