16 WebsiteCompass However, there are exceptions. You’ll probably want to keep your printer if you work from home, ship a lot of packages and need labels, or frequently print items for crafting or children’s projects. A printer can also make sense if you’re one of those people who simply just don’t trust technology as much as a sheet of paper you can hold in your hand. Outdated Reasons for Printers For many years, a home printer was considered essential for tasks including theses: • Printing boarding passes, event tickets, and the like • Document signing • Income tax preparation • Scanning • Printing photos Now these activities can either be done digitally—such as presenting a boarding pass or event ticket on your phone—or you can have the printing done elsewhere. Where to Get Things Printed If you decide to get rid of your home printer, there will still be the occasional times when you need to print a document or make a few copies. Here are some commonly available options. Public libraries. This is a good place to start. Most public libraries offer free or low-cost printing, sometimes to people without a library card. Check out your local library’s website for more information about printing services and costs. Shipping or courier centers. Places like FedEx and The UPS Store often provide printing services, whether you need huge printing jobs like banners and posters, or just need a document of a few pages printed. Keep in mind that the computers and printers are accessed by all the staff, so these places are not the best option if you need to print documents with sensitive information. You May Not Need a Home Printer There are ways to avoid owning this annoying piece of equipment Let’s face it. People love to hate printers. The ink cartridges are ridiculously expensive, the paper jams at inopportune times, and they take up a bunch of space on your desk. Can you get along without a printer at home? These days, many people can. Beyond the Basics
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