INKJET & LASER PRINTER GUIDE

Print A4 invoices from your phone

A wireless printer prints full-page GST invoices straight from Baskit on your phone - no PC needed. Here is how ink tank, cartridge and laser printers compare, and what to look for.

Wi-Fi printer printing an invoice sent from a phone

MOBILE FIRST

Wireless printer + your phone = no PC needed

1

Connect the printer to Wi-Fi

Use the printer's screen or its free app (HP Smart, Epson Smart Panel, Canon PRINT, Brother Mobile Connect) - a one-time setup.
2

Keep your phone on the same Wi-Fi

Your phone finds the printer automatically. No driver or cable needed.
3

Open the bill in Baskit and print

Choose your Wi-Fi printer and print a full-page A4 invoice - straight from your phone.

Works with Android and iPhone over your shop's Wi-Fi.

INKJET VS LASER

Ink tank, cartridge or laser?

All three print A4 invoices. The real difference is the cost per page and how much you print. Prices below are for Wi-Fi models.

Lowest cost per page

Ink tank inkjet

₹11,000 – ₹18,000

Refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges. Costs more to buy, but one set of ink bottles prints thousands of pages - in black and in colour.

Running cost: Under ₹0.50 per page
Best for: Most shops printing invoices every day

Cartridge inkjet

₹5,000 – ₹8,000

The cheapest printer to buy, but cartridges are expensive and run out quickly. Ink can dry if the printer sits unused for weeks.

Running cost: About ₹3 – ₹6 per page
Best for: A few invoices a week

Laser (black & white)

₹11,000 – ₹20,000

Prints fast, sharp black text that never smudges. Toner does not dry out, so it is ready even after weeks without use.

Running cost: About ₹1 – ₹2 per page
Best for: High volume, wholesale and office use

	Ink tank	Cartridge inkjet	Laser
Printer price	₹11,000 – ₹18,000	₹5,000 – ₹8,000	₹11,000 – ₹20,000
Cost per page	Under ₹0.50	₹3 – ₹6	₹1 – ₹2
Colour	Yes	Yes	Black only (colour lasers cost more)
Speed	Moderate	Slow	Fast
If unused for weeks	Print a test page now and then	Ink may dry	No problem
Best for	Daily invoices, low running cost	Occasional printing	Large volumes, crisp text

CONNECTION

Choose a wireless printer

To print from your phone, the printer must have Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct. Many printers also have USB or LAN, so a PC can print to them too.

Print from mobile

Wi-Fi

The printer joins your shop's Wi-Fi. Any phone, tablet or PC on the same Wi-Fi can print to it - no cables.

Works with: Android phone, iPhone, tablet, PC

Wi-Fi Direct

The printer makes its own small Wi-Fi network, so your phone can connect and print even without a router.

Works with: Phones and tablets, no router needed

LAN (Ethernet)

Connects to your router with a cable. Very reliable, and every device on the network can print.

Works with: Any device on the same network

USB only

Connects to one PC with a cable. Cheapest, but you cannot print from your phone.

Works with: One Windows PC

A USB-only printer cannot print from your phone. Look for "Wi-Fi" or "wireless" in the model name - for example models ending in "w" or "dw".

FEATURES

What else to look for

Mopria & AirPrint

Look for "Mopria" (Android) and "AirPrint" (iPhone) - they mean the printer works with your phone's built-in printing.

Duplex (2-sided)

Prints on both sides of the paper automatically - halves your paper use for long invoices and reports.

All-in-one (scan & copy)

A built-in scanner lets you scan and copy purchase bills, ID proofs and documents.

Print speed

Measured in pages per minute (ppm). Lasers usually print faster than inkjets.

Monthly volume

Check the recommended pages per month. Choose a printer rated well above what you print.

Service & ink supply

Pick a brand with service centres and genuine ink or toner easily available near you.

RECEIPT VS A4

Do you need an A4 printer?

Most walk-in customers are happy with a receipt or a WhatsApp bill. An A4 printer is for full-page tax invoices for business customers.

	Receipt printer	A4 printer
Paper	2 or 3 inch thermal roll	A4 sheet
Looks like	Shop receipt	Full GST tax invoice
Ink	None - prints with heat	Ink or toner
Speed per bill	Instant	A few seconds
Best for	Walk-in retail customers	Business customers, wholesale, large orders

Need a receipt printer instead? See the receipt printer guide.

WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Our pick for your shop

Billing on your phone

Wi-Fi ink tank printer

Print A4 invoices straight from your phone, at the lowest cost per page.

Wholesale or distributor

Wi-Fi mono laser with duplex

Fast, crisp invoices in large numbers, ready even after weeks of no use.

Occasional A4 invoices

Wi-Fi cartridge inkjet

Lowest price to buy. Fine if you print only a few pages a week.

Retail counter with business customers

Receipt printer + Wi-Fi A4 printer

Thermal receipts for walk-ins, A4 tax invoices when a business asks.

Already have a printer?

Baskit has been tested with inkjet and laser printers over USB, Wi-Fi and network. If yours has Wi-Fi, you can print from your phone.

See supported hardware →