Office Printer Costs
It can be tempting to hold onto your old office printer, especially if it looks like it’s still going strong. Perhaps it might not seem like something that needs replacing. But beware: your outdated office staple is actually costing your business money in more ways than one. In fact, today we’re listing seven ways it’s costing you – and you’ll definitely want to consider buying a new printer after reading them.
#1: Replacement parts are expensive
If your printer is upwards of eight years old, you may find that the manufacturer has stopped supplying spare parts for repair needs. In this case, you’ll have to research other sellers and this is where it can get expensive. As time goes on, the decreasing supply of replacement parts drives up the price.
Instead, it is much more logical to invest in a new printer altogether. And don’t just opt for the cheapest new printer on the market, either. They often end up costing you more in maintenance and supplies.
#2: Older printers burn through cartridges
As printers get older, they tend to need more replacement cartridges even if your needs haven’t changed. Ink and toner cartridges generally aren’t the cheapest to continually replace. And when your printer seems to burn through them like no tomorrow, it’s a sign you should be looking to upgrade.
The good news is that with new technology comes improved efficiency. You’ll find that printers such as the Brother MFC-L3745CDW actually go through fewer cartridges than older printers since its toner cartridges are high-yield. This will save you money in the long run because you won’t need to replace the cartridges as often.
#3: Your needs might be different
You might find that your old printer is no longer keeping up with the multifunction needs of your office. For example, you may realise that the copying speeds aren’t fast enough for your creative and professional needs. Though it may have been quick five years ago, it could be a very different story today. While this doesn’t necessarily cost you money, it does cost you time and convenience.
A good example of a multi-function printer is the OKI MC363DN. It’s a high-speed colour printer with a multi-function centre perfect for any office. Its most notable features include:
- Mobile printing
- Up to 30ppm colour and monochrome printing
- Up to 30cpm colour and monochrome copying
- Network printing
- Automatic double-sided printing
- Fax capabilities
#4: It gets more expensive as your office grows
Increased use can further degrade your old printer. If your office is expanding, for example, more people will be relying on the printer. The more it’s used, the faster its parts will start to fail and issues will quickly arise.
Though this might not seem like a massive issue, don’t be mistaken: the IT department cannot fix the printer if it has internal issues. You’ll need to call a dedicated printer service. With a busier office, this means you’ll need to get your old printer serviced more frequently. It adds up quickly – a single onsite call can cost around $100.
With maintenance costs like that, you’re better off looking for a new printer altogether. You should look for one that is designed for higher output but can still produce high-quality documents, such as the Brother MFC-L3770CDW.
#5: You can’t control much with an older printer
Older printers don’t have the security controls of new printers. Old printers have no way to mediate who sees the documents that get printed. This is bad news for confidentiality and might even mean that certain employees need their own printers, costing your business even more.
Therefore, you should ensure you upgrade to a printer that has features that will protect valuable company information. Printers like those in the HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP M479 Series are equipped with additional security controls. The multifunction printer in the series is the M479FDW.
- Control access to print jobs
- Manage devices and features using the JetAdmin management menu
- Go into password-secured/authentication print mode (which ensures confidential documents are protected)
- Produce double sided printing and double sided scanning
These features are immensely valuable for any business. Essentially, they will give you more control as to who can print and how they print it. If that’s not enough, control features like authentication print modes also help to lessen toner, ink and paper wastage by only beginning the print job once the code has been entered. This eliminates the issue of forgetting the print job in the out tray.
#6: Older printers have a higher cost per page
Older printers generally can’t get the best use out of cartridges and this means they have a higher cost per page. You’re much better off going for a new printer that has a high page yield because doing so can dramatically cut your cost per page.
Worried about the quality of high-yield printers? You’ll find that newer printers can actually produce high-quality prints without using as much ink or toner. Overall, saving on your cost per page will quickly justify the cost of buying a new printer.
#7: Older printers consume more energy
Older printers are typically inefficient for energy consumption compared to newer printers. New printers, for example, typically have sleep or standby modes and will help to save on your energy bills. The M479FDW has a sleep mode and automatically ‘wake up’ when the print job is ready to go.
To avoid buying a printer that is going to cost a fortune in energy bills, look for EnergyStar-approved products. These are energy-efficient printers and will save you money in the long run.
Tonerink supplies a wide variety of printers, ink cartridges, and toner cartridges. You can buy ink cartridges online for your new desired printer, or browse through our brands. We are happy to help you with any questions you might have. Just give us a call on 1300 738 194!