Posted by Mitch_MD on 8/31/05 9:54am
Msg #62829

Your printing experiences?

I've been helping another SA expand their business over the past couple of years and directed them to a 10,000 page per month machine awhile back. Now the business has grown to 14,000 pages worth of printing just in August alone(!) and I was asked how they could save on costs (discounts for cartridge returns, other routes to take, etc.).

I had never expected their business to out-strip the monthly capacity of the printer so rapidly, so once I picked my jaw up off the floor, I quickly figured the operating costs of new cartridges vs. remanufactured vs. compatible vs. refilling with a toner kit. The toner kit wins in the pure cost category, of course, but my post is about other aspects, such as:

- How much monthly printing volume do other forum members have?

- If you choose the toner refill path, how successful has it been for you? I know you get less sheets per charge, but do you get the same quality printing? Are you concerned about the warranty of the printer being voided by using refills?

- What monthly volume printing level do you target for future growth with your purchases? 25,000? 50K? 100K?

- And finally, do you purchase your bulk paper from somewhere other than CostCo for better pricing?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Reply by Art_MD on 8/31/05 11:12am
Msg #62853

I average about 5000 pages per month. But, I'm only part time.
At present, I look at a printer as a consumable - brother 5140. When the drum goes, I'll get another.
I refill. I had a partial original cartridge and printed a sample with the original, and the same with the refilled cartridge, couldn't tell the difference !!
I don't worry about the warranty.
At present I buy at Office Depot - like the free delivery. May switch to Cosco - from everyone I've talked to, they are the cheapest.

Sould like your friend is doing a great business - at 200 pages/signing, thats 70 signings per month of e-docs plus any overnite packages !!

Where in MD ? I'm anne arundel.

Art

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/31/05 12:47pm
Msg #62898

I'm averaging 18 reams of paper per month & 3-4 cartridges (or fills). I buy new cartriges and refill them up to three times before I notice streaking. I'm not using "professional sized" printers. I have an HP 3015, 1320 and my old stand by Samsung 4016. I, like you Art, think of my printers as disposable.

Reply by Mitch_MD on 9/1/05 4:20am
Msg #63200

Thanks for the tip about refilling 3 times before streaking. Good info!

Reply by Mitch_MD on 9/1/05 4:18am
Msg #63199

Thanks for the info, Art. I'm in western Montgomery County.

Reply by Barry Silver on 8/31/05 2:38pm
Msg #62951

Irecently purchased a Cannon imageRunner 2230 from Danka for my business. When you start printing that sort of volume, you need to move into the heavyduty equipment. It is also a scanner and fax machine as well as copier. I did pay $7000.00 for it, but I also have a service contract where they maintain it, and they pay for the toner. It also prints at 24 pages per minute. It is a G-3 fax, which is presently the fastest fax speed on the market. The machine can also be leased, and leased to own. Furthermore, it is autoduplexing with two drawers (two additional drawers can be purchased) and it will hold 11"x17" paper for those who want to print their own newsletters.

Reply by Anonymous on 8/31/05 4:19pm
Msg #62993

InkWerk/CA

Average Volume: 100,000+ pages month
Printers: Nothing but HP laserjets
All printers free & clear and paid for themselves.