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“Print to email” can mean three different things: sending an email to a printer for paper output, scanning paper and emailing the scan, or turning a digital document into a file to attach to an email. The right steps depend on which direction you mean: email to paper, paper to email, or document to email attachment.
Email to paper: send a message or file to a printer
Email-to-print lets you email a document or photo to a compatible printer so it prints on paper. The printer must support the service and usually needs to be registered with its manufacturer’s system. Epson describes its own Email Print service as letting users email photos and documents to a compatible printer from a device that can send email; that is Epson’s service description, not a universal printer standard. Epson’s 2012 announcement explains the concept, while its Email Print FAQ gives service-specific requirements.
Compatibility and limits depend on the service
Not every printer accepts email jobs. For Epson Connect, the printer must be connected to the internet, and Epson specifies supported file formats, attachment limits, and recipient rules. Its FAQ states a limit of up to 10 attachments and 10 MB total, with only one address in the To field. These are Epson Connect details, not general limits for other manufacturers; check the documentation for your printer and service for current rules.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCheck who can send jobs
Email-to-print can expose a printer to unwanted jobs if anyone who knows its email address can send to it. Epson says its default setting allows anyone who knows the printer address to send jobs, and it offers an Approved Senders List to restrict permitted addresses or domains. If transferring or disposing of a printer registered with Epson Connect, Epson advises removing the printer from the service so mail intended for it does not print elsewhere. Other services may use different controls, so review the settings for the specific printer.
#1 Best Overall
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
Paper to email: scan a page and send it as an attachment
Scan-to-email converts a physical page into a digital file and sends that scan as an email attachment. You can do this with a multifunction printer that supports scanning and email, or scan with a phone or computer, save the file, and attach it to a message. Epson describes its iPrint app as able to scan and share files by email; the available steps depend on the device and software. For device-specific approaches, see this guide to scanning and emailing a document.
A wireless all-in-one printer may suit frequent or multi-page paper scanning, but check the exact model for scan-to-email support and setup requirements. For occasional scanning, a phone or computer may be enough.
Rank #2
- The OfficeJet Pro 8125e is perfect for home offices printing professional-quality color documents like business documents, reports, presentations and flyers. Print speeds up to 10 ppm color, 20 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, scan, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder, and a 225-sheet input tra
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
Digital document to email: attach the file instead of printing
If the document already exists on your device, you usually do not need a printer. Attach the existing file to your email. If the recipient needs a PDF, use your device’s PDF export or print-to-PDF option, then attach the resulting PDF. The menu names and sequence vary by operating system and app, so use the instructions for the device you have rather than assuming one universal workflow.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The OfficeJet Pro 9125e is perfect for offices printing professional-quality color documents like presentations, brochures and flyers. Print speeds up to 18 ppm color, 22 ppm black.
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, copy, fax, auto 2-sided printing and scanning, auto document feeder, and a 250-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
Rank #4
- Professional Performance: Dominate your business printing with this Brother Genuine color laser printer delivering exceptional print speeds up to 19 ppm and stunning laser-quality output that makes your documents stand out from the competition
- Advanced Connectivity: Take command of your workflow with dual-band wireless networking (2.4GHz/5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, and USB 2.0 interface, enabling multiple users to connect and print seamlessly from any device in your office
- Productivity Powerhouse: Maximize efficiency with the 50-sheet auto document feeder, 250-sheet adjustable paper tray, and automatic duplex printing, ensuring uninterrupted performance for your demanding business needs
- Smart Integration: Transform your workflow with the intuitive 3.5" color touchscreen featuring 48 customizable shortcuts and direct access to popular cloud services including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote for seamless document management
- Mobile Command Center: Leverage the power of mobile printing with remote access capabilities, toner level monitoring, and complete printer management directly from your mobile device through the exclusive companion app
Rank #3
- AFFORDABLE ALL-IN-ONE FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Print, copy, and scan on one compact wireless printer designed for everyday home office printing, schoolwork, documents, and reports. Produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- FULL-SIZE FEATURES IN A COMPACT DESIGN: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- MOBILE PRINTING MADE EASY: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6).
Choose the workflow that matches your goal
| What you want to do | What happens | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Email to paper | An email or attachment is sent to a printer and printed. | A compatible printer, the manufacturer’s email-print service, and the required setup. |
| Paper to email | A physical page is scanned and sent as an email attachment. | A scanner or multifunction printer, or a phone or computer that can scan. |
| Digital document to email | An existing file, or a PDF made from it, is attached to an email. | An email app; a printer is not needed just to send the file. |
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