How to Receive a Color Fax

How to Receive a Color Fax

Learn how to receive color faxes using either a traditional color fax machine or an online internet fax service, along with setup instructions and details on associated fees.

In the past, only black-and-white documents could be sent by fax. Today, however, you can also send color documents via fax. This allows people to transmit not just text documents, but also photographs and other colored materials. If you have never tried receiving a color fax, here are the steps you need to follow.

• Prepare your color fax machine. There are two ways to receive a color fax. One way is through the use of a color fax machine. This method is similar to using a regular fax machine, but you need to make sure your device can handle and process color fax messages and documents. Read the manual that comes with your fax machine to determine whether it is capable of receiving color faxes. To set up the machine, simply connect it to the power source and the phone line. Also, make sure you have enough paper loaded and sufficient color ink for the machine to print the document.
• Use an internet fax service. An alternative to using a physical color fax machine is to use an online fax service. This allows you to receive faxes even if you do not own an actual fax machine. You can simply use your own printer to print out the fax messages in color. Most printers today support color printing anyway, which makes it easy to receive color documents through internet fax services.
• Set up the program. If you opt to use an internet fax service, you will need to set up the program first. To do this, you will need to install the software or sign up for the service. If you choose a downloadable program, you will first need to get the file from the online fax service provider of your choice. The software is usually free to download and install, although you may incur charges when sending faxes through the program. Once you have finished downloading the application, simply run the file to install it. An installation wizard will guide you through the setup process.
• Check for new faxes. After you have finished installing and setting up the internet fax service, the program will run in the background and notify you whenever new fax messages are waiting. Usually, a pop-up box will appear whenever you receive a new fax message.
• Know the charges and rates. Before receiving or sending color faxes, you should be aware of the applicable rates. Usually, receiving faxes is free, even for color documents. However, if you send a fax message, you will typically be charged based on the document size or the number of pages. If you send a fax via long distance, standard long-distance rates may also apply.

With these points in mind, you should be able to easily receive color fax messages, either through a conventional color fax machine or through online fax services.