Things to Look for in Buying a Copier
A photocopier is vital for any business whether it is large or small. A good unit allows users to copy files, mass produce materials for marketing purposes and recreate important documents for employees. Here are some things you need to consider if you are purchasing a new copier for your office:
The Copy Speed
As the name implies, this tells you how fast a copier prints and produces copies at a time. This is usually depicted as number of pages per minute and is the first thing you should consider when you are scouting for a copier.
The copy speed also includes the volume of copy so if you need to print large volumes at a time, consider purchasing a faster device. If you need a copier for 3 to 10 people to use, then a copier with a print copy speed of 20-45 pages/min should suffice.
The Copy Volume
The copy volume is the page amount that a copier has been designed to accommodate. Units that are slow can accommodate fewer prints per month so a faster one can print more in a month. Most copiers are categorized according to volume rather than actual page count.
These include SOHO or small office/home office for copiers that are not used as much to copiers that generate low, mid, high and professional print. Therefore, when you are searching for a copier for your office, check the copy volume and determine how much you will use the device.
Your printing habits
One of the first things a sales rep is going to do is try and sell the ‘best’ and ‘latest’ copier in the market even if you just want a small copier for your home office. In other words, make sure you know your printing habits intimately before buying. The answers you come up with will determine what type of copier you need.
For instance, if you want a copier to print sensitive information from, then you need a unit that can also scan and fax them. Determining this will save you a lot of money in maintenance costs as well. A large copier will be more expensive in this regard.
The running cost
Contrary to what sales reps say, you will need to spend on the running cost of the copier you purchase. Always ask for a breakdown of the expenses you can expect of TCO or Total Cost of Ownership. One of the best things to do in this case is to get multiple quotes from different suppliers so that you can make an informed decision.
Search for copiers that can allow you to print a certain number of pages per month without breaking down too quickly.
A photocopier is not cheap so make sure that you do your due diligence before purchasing one. The abovementioned tips can help you narrow down your choices and make a decision based on your budget and print requirements. This way you can save a lot of money down the line and buy a copier that will suit you.
