How Do You Care For A Small Travel Printer?

Caring for small travel printers is a lot like caring for normal desktop printers but with a few added caveats related to their inherent designs for mobility. All printers need to be cleaned frequently and kept dust-free for proper operation. Paper dust, toner residue, and leftover ink can foul up all printers, creating low-quality printouts or even causing the printer to cease functioning altogether. Thermal mobile printers do not have problems with ink and toner, but should still be kept free of dust. Using a can of compressed air can clear printers from dust, residue, and stray bits of paper. Swabs dabbed in alcohol can clean away ink stains. Mobile printers should be cleaned in the same manner but more frequently, as their small sizes cause fouling to accumulate in the same place quicker.

Unlike desktop printers, mobile printers are often equipped with a rechargeable battery or can accept standard off-the-shelf batteries. For mobile printers that include a built-in rechargeable battery, always keep it charged up so that the printer doesn’t fail you when you’re on the road. Try to fully discharge it every once in awhile before charging again so that it always operates with peaking operating capacity. For printers that accept standard batteries like AA- or C-batteries, always try to use fresh ones. Do not leave old batteries sitting in the printer for extended periods of time. Old batteries can leak corrosive acids, which can damage your mobile printer.

Mobile printers are built with travel in mind; hence, they are smaller and lighter than their desktop counterparts are. This often makes them more fragile than a heavy, bulky desktop printer that never leaves the office. Be sure to always carry it in a padded protective bag. Do not expose it to excessive heat or cold. If the printer comes with a latch or lock to secure internal moving parts, be sure to set it before travelling so as not to damage any critical components.

Small travel printer care is to desktop printer care as laptop care is to desktop PC care. Much of the operation and maintenance practices are the same but a few extra things need to be taken into consideration.