What is the difference between a photocopier and a scanner

Some multi-function printers have scanners built in, in which case the scanner doubles as a copier as part of a multi-purpose machine. Scanners are useful for creating high-resolution digital images from text or photos. You can then send the digital copies via email or share them over your network with other people. Scanners usually operate page-by-page, which makes them slower than copiers, which handle multiple pages in quick succession. Additionally, copiers create multiple copies of your scanned documents, so reproducing large documents is quick and fairly simple.

High-end copiers may also collate and staple sets of documents, which isn't possible with scanners. Living in Canada, Andrew Aarons has been writing professionally since Our customer support help-desk technicians will guide you through the next steps, to assist you with your query.

Overview Overview: What is the difference between a scanner and a photocopier? Contact Sales Support We currently have 0 positions, browse to join our awesome team Browse All. Birmingham Manchester Wales. Area of Interest? A multifunction printer, on the other hand, is designed with multitasking in mind. MFPs generally print, scan, copy, and fax, as well as a copy to file such as creating a PDF from a scanned document.

This is where copiers and multifunction printers become more different. Copiers and MFPs have different features that lend themselves to a different use. Copiers are well-suited to heavy use and document production. Copier-based machines are often designed to do heavy-duty work with finishing features such as binding and sorting. Multifunction printers function well for everyday office use.

They can handle the brunt of regular scanning, copying, faxing, and printing, and are generally a good all-around machine for the office to share. Photocopiers are standard pieces of office equipment and have been since the s. As technology has developed, the majority of photocopiers in offices today are 'multifunction' devices.

It can be hard to distinguish the difference between a photocopier and a scanner as they appear to operate in similar ways, yet the method of output is vastly different. The beginning processes of photocopying and scanning are identical. You place a document on the platen - the flat glass surface on the top of the device, or in the document feeder which allows multiple sheets to be copied or scanned at once.

You then push a button, and the machine acquires a digital image of the document. The next stages of the process are quite different, however. If the machine is a photocopier, it simply prints the digital image onto one or more blank sheets of paper. If the machine is a scanner, it stores a digital copy of the image and transmits it to a computer via email or network , or stores it on a USB or memory card.

Copying documents is a simpler process than scanning. Most photocopiers require users to press a button to start the photocopying process. Additional buttons are available to change the print quality or increase the number of copies. In contrast, scanning requires users to have a basic knowledge of computers to manage the transmitting, storage and editing of scans. When you press the button for scanning, you may be faced with a pop-up message, asking you what to do next - scan to folder or email.

Scanners are the tool for business owners that want to go 'paperless', yet if the paper is your medium of choice for document transmission and recording, then a copier will suffice. However, any devices combine the two functions today. Multifunction devices combine a printer, copier and scanner into one device, giving you all the options, as well as the option of fax. Contact Us. Pay My Account. Invoice Usage. Remote Support.

Web Mail. Customer Login. What is the difference between scan and copy? The History of the Copier The history, or evolution, of the copier, is very similar to that of the digital camera.

What Is a Copier? What Is a Scanner? Thankfully, small-business owners can choose the features that are best for their applications by taking a good look at the differences between scanners and copiers. The beginning steps of scanning and copying are identical: you place a document or image in the machine, push a button, and the machine acquires a digital copy of the image. The results, however, are quite different. If the machine is a copier, it simply prints the digital image onto one or more blank sheets of paper.

If the machine is a scanner, it stores a digital copy of the image on a memory card or USB device, or it transmits the image to a computer. The three most popular types of machines for copying are a dedicated copier, an all-in-one also called multifunctional printer, and a fax machine that is able to copy images.

Scanning, on the other hand, usually requires a computer or a memory device in addition to the scanner. A scanner is most effective when partnered with a computer to allow images to be edited, emailed, printed, and saved to disk.