Colour Laser printer - is it worth it?

[Dial a Copier]

Hi,

I own a company called Dial a Copier and my recommendations would be as follows;

Find out who of the larger copier companies provide service in your area, specifically service contracts. Then try to find a decent colour laser to rent or purchase outright, that can be placed on a service contract. The larger machines are cheaper to run and on service contracts the toners are included. Also, should the machine break-down, the repairs are covered. These factors need to be weighed against your business needs and the exact number of copies printed.

To give you an idea of what Dial a Copier would propose;

R220pm - Monthly rental of HP Colour Laser
R24pm - Insurance
R105 - Minimum service billing (includes 100 colour prints - high quality)

R349 - Total fixed monthly costs including all toners, maintenance, service calls. Excess colour copies at R1.05 and Mono prints at 17 cents each. When you run out of toner you simply make a phone call and a new cartridge is dropped off. Depending on volumes, these costs should be extremely competitive and also offer you peace of mind, back-up, quick support, and a far superior machine to the R1500 jobs you buy at Makro and similar stores. This machine would also become your after 60 months - rent to own.

I hope this helps,

Regards,

The Dial a Copier Team

[IanF]

Hi,

I own a company called Dial a Copier and my recommendations would be as follows;

Find out who of the larger copier companies provide service in your area, specifically service contracts. Then try to find a decent colour laser to rent or purchase outright, that can be placed on a service contract. The larger machines are cheaper to run and on service contracts the toners are included. Also, should the machine break-down, the repairs are covered. These factors need to be weighed against your business needs and the exact number of copies printed.

To give you an idea of what Dial a Copier would propose;

R220pm - Monthly rental of HP Colour Laser
R24pm - Insurance
R105 - Minimum service billing (includes 100 colour prints - high quality)

R349 - Total fixed monthly costs including all toners, maintenance, service calls. Excess colour copies at R1.05 and Mono prints at 17 cents each. When you run out of toner you simply make a phone call and a new cartridge is dropped off. Depending on volumes, these costs should be extremely competitive and also offer you peace of mind, back-up, quick support, and a far superior machine to the R1500 jobs you buy at Makro and similar stores. This machine would also become your after 60 months - rent to own.

I hope this helps,

Regards,

The Dial a Copier Team

Hi Dial
You finance a laser over 60 months would the machine have a useful life of 5 years? We finance our copiers production machines over 3 years max. With the new technologies starting to come out a 5 year finance term is too long. Look at memjet printers they will change the scene a lot if/when the major players adopt this.

[Pap_sak]

I have a samsung CLP315 (cheap color laser) and must say have been very impressed. You cannot print photo's but it's great for letterheads and for solid colors. Way, way better than inkjet for a small business IMO

[Newretailer]

I have been through a couple of HP laserjets. One was a dud from the beginning. The one I have now has lasted a very long time and we use it quite heavily. The laser quality is really much better.

If you don't need to print colour much, I would go to the closest print shop too.

[Dial a Copier]

Hi Dial
You finance a laser over 60 months would the machine have a useful life of 5 years? We finance our copiers production machines over 3 years max. With the new technologies starting to come out a 5 year finance term is too long. Look at memjet printers they will change the scene a lot if/when the major players adopt this.

Hi,

Machines generally have a useful life of 5 years and beyond but I fully agree that 5 years is a very long time in the technology stakes, and I guess it's a horses for courses scenario. Businesses that do simple print jobs e.g. A4 Mono, generally dont care about new technologies, they just want a reliable solution that delivers a quality product. When we start talking about production machines and high-impact colour etc, then technology begins to play a massive part, and yes, 36 month rentals are far more preferable.

Having said that though, are you guys financing through the copier company (rental finance) or an HP agreement with a bank where the machine becomes your asset? To me this makes a massive difference when deciding on finance periods and would like to discuss further to get your thoughts on the subject.

I'm going to Google Memjet Printers, please forward any links etc, interested to learn more.

Regards,

Gavin
Dial a Copier

[IanF]

Gavin
Google is your friend for memjet. There was a guy selling a memjet printer at the sign show in JHB. I could not get anything useful out of him or see it in action.
Here is the link So this may be the start. The one problem they still have to overcome is to get the price down on inkjet coated paper for the fine printing.

[Dial a Copier]

Hi Ian,

I have been in contact with memjet USA and they have directed me to their Europeam divison for further info. Sounds interesting!!

[Dial a Copier]

Ian, as you say, cost is a VERY important factor for most businesses, colour and speed oft sacrificed for the basics. The specialist printing market is but a tiny percentage of total prints. Hope to meet you for a chat when next in JHB.

Cheers