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Answer three questions: the largest paper size you print (A4, F4, or A3), whether you need color, and how many pages a month. Most small offices are fine with a black-and-white A4/F4 multifunction machine. Only choose A3 if you regularly print large formats.
1. Paper size: A4, F4, or A3?
Many Indonesian offices and government agencies still use F4 for official documents. If you print F4 often, make sure the machine supports it. An A3 machine prints every size, but it’s bigger and costs more to rent.
| Size | Dimensions | Used for | Machine choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 cm | Letters, invoices, everyday documents | A4 |
| F4 | 21.5 x 33 cm | Official documents, contracts, government paperwork | A4 that takes F4 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 cm | Posters, floor plans, technical drawings, large menus | A3 |
2. Black and white or color?
A color machine is useful for restaurant menus, brochures, and marketing materials. If 90% of what you print is text, black and white is cheaper, because a color page costs far more. For design and photos, choose a high-resolution color machine such as the MZ series in the catalog.
A middle ground we often suggest: one black-and-white machine for everyday printing, plus a smaller color machine for the marketing team.
3. How many pages a month?
Count how many reams of paper you use in a month. One ream is 500 sheets. Choose a machine whose recommended volume is a little above your needs, so it isn’t overworked.
- Fewer than 1,000 pages a month: buying your own printer may be cheaper.
- 1,000 to 4,000 pages: an A4 multifunction machine such as the Kyocera MA4000x is enough.
- More than 10,000 pages: choose a faster machine or an A3 machine.
4. How fast does it need to be?
Speed is given in pages per minute. You notice it when you print a lot at once, such as month-end reports or exam papers.
| Speed | 500 pages (1 ream) done in | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 25 pages per minute | about 20 minutes | Small offices, reception desks |
| 40 pages per minute | about 13 minutes | Offices of 10 to 30 people |
| 60 pages per minute | about 8 minutes | Busy offices, schools, copy centers |
Example machines for each need
| Need | Example machine | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small office, A4/F4 printing | Kyocera MA4000x | Compact, copies, prints, and scans |
| Small office, everything over Wi-Fi | Kyocera MA4000wifx | Same as the MA4000x, plus Wi-Fi |
| Busy office, black and white | Kyocera MA6000ifx | Maker recommends up to 30,000 pages a month |
| Need A3 black and white | Kyocera M4132idn | An affordable A3 black-and-white machine |
| Need A3 color | Kyocera M8124cidn | Color for office documents |
| Design studio | Kyocera MZ2501ci | Sharp color for graphic design |
| Scanning large archives | Epson DS-790WN | Scans stacks of double-sided documents |
Features people forget
- Printing from Mac and iPhone. Every machine in the ASG catalog supports AirPrint.
- Print limits per department. Kyocera machines include free Job Accounting.
- PIN printing. Documents only print after a PIN is entered, good for clinics and HR.
- Duplex scanning in one pass. Important if you scan thick documents often.
- Automatic double-sided printing. Cuts paper use by up to half on long documents.
3 common mistakes
- Choosing A3 when you rarely print large. A bigger machine, a higher bill, and less room in the office.
- Choosing a machine that only just fits. A machine pushed past its recommended volume jams more often.
- Forgetting F4. You find out when an official document has to be printed and the machine can’t take it.
