Color copiers are digital, and function like a computer scanner attached to a laser printer. After scanning the original, the copier subsequently transfers the information to a charged image drum via laser. Prior to being transferred to paper, the color toner adheres to the charged areas of the drum. As is the case with a laser printer, the final step is to heat the toner on the page to fuse a permanent image.

High-quality and expensive models apply all four colors in a single application, while the comparatively cheaper machines take four passes of the same image, rolling the paper around the drum four times to apply each color. In the cheaper machines, low-end technology also makes for slower copying speeds.

Standard features on digital color copiers in general are border erasing, image centering, color adjustment, and color balancing. There are a few models that can offer you a whole menu of additional editing functions, like colorizing. Colorizing enables you to create color documents from black and white originals.

Such advanced editing techniques are no doubt impressive. But, at the same time, they might prove to be difficult and time-consuming to learn. Moreover, if your copier is set up as a network printer, you can do much more complex image manipulations using standard image editing software at your computer, and then simply print the results. For most users, however, basic editing functions are quite sufficient to meet their requirements.

If you decide to purchase an editor, or a model that includes one, and set out to compare features available in different models, you will surely find the process frustrating. You will discover that most of these editing features are named differently from model to model, even though their functions may be identical. It will be wise if you ask a sales representative to demonstrate exactly how to use the editing features you need.