When you think of cutting costs in your business, how often does the conversation turn to printing? You might be very surprised at how much of your budget is being swallowed up by inefficient print systems, particularly when so much of your print is being routed through expensive desktop printers. At Midrepro, we specialise in helping businesses like yours tackle these hidden costs through a free print audit that helps you to identify and tackle any inefficiencies and get on top of spiralling print expenses.
Why desktop printers are more expensive than you think
At first glance, desktop printers seem like a cheap and easy solution, especially when you can pick one up for under £150. But the truth is, that the low price tag can be deceiving.
The hidden costs of printer ink
Did you know that printer ink is seven times more expensive than champagne? It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true! If you’ve ever been in the middle of printing an important document only to find you’ve run out of ink, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to dash out for an expensive replacement cartridge. The problem is even worse if your printer uses separate cartridges for each colour. If one runs out, you end up replacing the whole set, talk about waste! Before you know it, the cost of replacing ink can exceed the price of the printer itself, and that’s without even mentioning the environmental impact of throwing away half-full cartridges.
The added expense of servicing and maintenance
Then there’s the matter of servicing and maintenance. While it might not be something you think about until something breaks, the reality is that keeping desktop printers running smoothly often involves costly after-sales support. Most companies outsource this to third-party maintenance providers, which usually means annual contracts that increase in cost year-on-year. These hidden costs quickly add up and inflate the true cost per printed page.
So, while the initial purchase of a desktop printer may seem like a bargain, the long-term expenses are much higher than most people realise.
How Midrepro’s free print audit can help
At Midrepro, we’ve made it our mission to help businesses uncover these hidden costs and take control of their print environment. Our free print audit is designed to identify inefficiencies and offer the right solutions for your business to help you run a more cost-effective and sustainable printing system.
What does the print audit involve?
Using specialised software, we can rapidly assess your entire print fleet, providing a clear picture of where your print jobs are going, and more importantly, where your money is going. Our software gathers data across your network to identify:
- All output devices (printers, copiers, scanners, and faxes)
- Page counts, broken down into colour vs. monochrome
- Consumables usage (so you know exactly how much you’re spending on ink, toner, and paper)
- Device information like IP vs. MAC addresses
This data allows us to calculate your total printing costs accurately. From there, we can help you analyse inefficiencies, such as:
- Over-reliance on high-cost desktop printers
- Excessive use of colour printing when black-and-white would suffice
- The financial impact of maintaining outdated or uneconomical printers
The business case for change
After collecting this data, we’ll show you the report, talk you through our findings, and recommend solutions that best suit your business needs. Often, the solution lies in consolidating your printer fleet. Many businesses make the mistake of having too many small, expensive-to-run desktop printers when they’d be better off with fewer, more efficient multifunction devices (MFDs).
For example, replacing 30 desktop printers with 5 larger, multifunction printers can significantly reduce your printing costs while increasing productivity. Larger printers are generally more efficient, have lower per-page printing costs, and require less frequent maintenance. They also tend to be more reliable and come with advanced features like double-sided printing and automated scanning, which can save both time and money.
But that doesn’t mean we’re going to recommend you throw away your entire printer fleet and replace it with bulky office equipment. Our goal is to recommend the best solution for your business, whether that’s a streamlined fleet of MFDs or a mix of desktop and larger devices.
Our priority is understanding your unique print environment and finding ways to help you save money without sacrificing efficiency or convenience. After all, sometimes the best solution isn’t what you expect. You might find that a single high-capacity printer in a strategic location is more cost-effective than maintaining multiple small printers in every department.
The benefits of our free print audit
By taking advantage of our free print audit, you’re not just identifying opportunities to save on ink and paper—you’re also making an investment in the long-term sustainability of your business. Here are some of the key benefits:
Cost savings
By optimising your print fleet and reducing unnecessary waste, you can dramatically lower your overall print expenses.
Improved productivity
Streamlined print systems mean less time spent waiting for documents to print or fixing paper jams.
Environmental benefits
Using fewer devices and more efficient printers helps reduce energy consumption, paper waste, and the environmental impact of discarded ink cartridges.
Data-driven decisions
Our audit provides you with the information you need to make smart, informed decisions about your print environment.
Final thoughts
At Midrepro, we understand that printing might not be the first thing on your mind when looking for ways to reduce business expenses. But with our free print audit, we can help you uncover hidden costs, streamline your print fleet, and find a solution that works for your business.
Contact us today to book a free print audit.
