Buying guide ·
The Total Cost of Owning an Office Copier
What an office copier really costs over its life: equipment, toner and service, paper, energy, downtime and disposal, and how to compare models on total cost.
Equipment
The purchase price or lease payments, plus options such as trays, finishers and card readers.
Supplies and service
Toner, drums and service are usually the largest cost over a copier's life. Compare cost per page for black and color, and check what the service agreement covers.
Paper and staples
Paper is rarely included in service plans. Two-sided printing by default can cut paper use substantially.
Energy
Modern copiers use low-power sleep modes and wake on approach, so energy is a small but real line item for machines that run all day.
Downtime
A machine that is too small for the work, or poorly serviced, costs staff time in jams and waits. Sizing and service terms matter as much as price.
Disposal and data
At the end of its life, a copier's stored data should be cleared or the drive removed before it leaves your office, and the machine recycled or returned.
Comparing models
Estimate five years of monthly pages, multiply by the cost per page, add equipment and options, and compare totals rather than sticker prices.
Ready to compare options? See our buying service or request a written quote below.
