The Hidden Cost of Printing
Most Philadelphia businesses spend more on printing than they realize. Between paper, toner, maintenance, and energy, the average office spends $500 to $2,000 per month on print-related costs. The good news is that simple changes can cut that number by 20 to 30 percent.
Set Smart Defaults
The single most effective change is adjusting your printer defaults:
- Default to black and white. Most internal documents do not need color. Setting B&W as the default prevents accidental color prints that cost 5 to 10 times more per page.
- Default to duplex (double-sided). This cuts paper usage in half for most documents.
- Set draft mode for internal documents. Draft quality uses less toner and is perfectly readable for internal use.
These changes cost nothing to implement and start saving money immediately.
Consolidate Your Fleet
Many offices have too many printers. Desktop inkjet printers scattered across the office are expensive per page and difficult to manage. Consolidating to fewer, higher-capacity copiers reduces cost per page and simplifies maintenance.
A single Ricoh A3 copier can replace three to five desktop printers while producing better quality at a lower cost per page.
Consider Managed Print Services
Managed print services (MPS) take the guesswork out of print management. With MPS, we:
- Monitor your copier fleet remotely for toner levels and service needs
- Ship toner automatically before you run out
- Provide all maintenance and repairs as part of a flat monthly rate
- Generate monthly reports showing your print volume and costs
Philadelphia businesses using our managed print program typically see a 25 percent reduction in total print costs within the first year.
Track and Audit
You cannot improve what you do not measure. Modern Ricoh copiers include built-in tracking that shows:
- Total pages printed per department or user
- Color vs black-and-white breakdown
- Paper size usage patterns
- Peak printing times
This data helps you identify waste and set policies that reduce unnecessary printing.
Get a Free Print Audit
We offer a no-obligation print audit for Philadelphia businesses. We review your current equipment, print volumes, and costs, then provide a detailed report with specific recommendations for savings.
Call (215) 995-2400 to schedule your free audit.