a3 Color Laser Printer – Get the Facts

An a3 color laser printer is easier to find than expected.  Many different manufacturers make an a3 color laser printer.  Let’s take a look at the facts about a3 size paper first and then discuss which manufacturers currently have an a3 color laser printer to offer.

a3 and a4 are international paper standards (ISO paper sizes) that are used throughout the world except for in North America.  a3 paper actual size is 11.69 x 16.54 inches (297 x 420 millimeters), while an a4 actual size is 8.27 x 11.69 inches (210 x 297 millimeters).  If an a3 is folded in half along the short side, it will be the size of an a4.

When looking for an a3 color laser printer, don’t assume since a printer will print 11×17 inch (also called tabloid, ledger or wide formatted) paper that it will also print a3 paper.  a3 is slightly larger than 11×17 inches and manufacturers will specify whether their color laser printer supports a3 printing.

For individuals and businesses based in the US and Canada who work with the international community, an a3 color laser printer is a must have.  Documents that are produced for business associates in the US and Canada will need to be converted for a3 or a4 printing for international business associates.  Converting an 8.5×11 inch sheet to a4 or an 11×17 inch sheet to a3 before printing may require changing the margins, changing the font size or editing the contents.  This will be based on how complicated the contents of the document are that is to be printed on the a3 color laser printer.

A separate printer is not needed to handle a3 paper.  Almost every manufacturer produces an a3 color laser printer.  But verify that on the printer specifications a3 is listed.  An a3 color laser printer can be bundled with multi functional features like faxing, copying and scanning or used for only printing.  a3 printing is available on both personal printers and very large workgroup printers.  Prices start from around $500 (refurbished) and go up depending on the functionality and size of the a3 color laser printer.  Hewlett Packard, Konica Minolta, Xerox, and Lexmark all have a true a3 color laser printer.  Other manufacturers like Ricoh support document printing as large as 12×18 inches, however, do not specify that they will support an a3 format.  Brother is another manufacturer that does not list an a3 color laser printer.  Before buying a printer without a3 support listed in the manufacturer’s specifications, contact the manufacturer and get it in writing that the printer will support a3 format.  This can be a safe guard against any future issues with an a3 color laser printer that is purchased or its warranty.

Business and personal relationships are frequently worldwide, printer manufacturers are producing printers that support their world wide customer base including an a3 color laser printer.  Finding an a3 color laser printer is easy, just be sure to verify with the manufacturer that their printer supports a3 output.