How to Calculate Your Printing Cost Per Page?

One of the most critical things left behind when in business or taking on personal printing ventures is the cost per printing page. So how do you do it? If you’re trying to monitor your business expenses or even cut back on home printing costs, understanding how to do this calculation is a total game-changer.

With the help of this article, you will understand how cost estimates are calculated, what influences them, and how you can save money on them. 

What is Cost Per Page (CPP)?

A CPP refers to Cost Per Page, or how much it costs to print one page. Businesses or organizations can determine the cost per printing job by performing this calculation. 

The cost normally includes the toner or ink price and paper and printer maintenance.

Suppose you printed 1,000 pages, and the ink and paper would cost $50. Your CPP would be 5 cents per page.

Though the number of pages appears to be straightforward, several factors can influence it, such as the printer model, its usage frequency, and the type of print job (black-and-white or color).

Key Factors That Influence Printing Cost Per Page

Some variables come into play in what you pay per page you print. To make a true estimation, you must consider the following vital factors:

• Ink/Toner Expense: Both printers require ink cartridges or toner. Buying toner printers (e.g., laser printers) is more expensive up front, but it’s less expensive over time, especially if you do a lot of printing. Ink printers (e.g., inkjets) are less costly to purchase but consume more ink per page, which boosts the CPP.
• Paper Type and Quality: A variety of paper types and quality levels affect the cost per print. Copy paper is cheap, but specialty or premium papers add up fast.
• Printer Maintenance: Some printers require periodic maintenance or replacement of components (such as print heads), adding to the cost per page.
• Printer Type: Laser printers are more cost-efficient per page, especially for heavy print volume use. Inkjet printers are more wasteful with ink and hence have a higher CPP.

How to Calculate Cost Per Page Printing

To calculate the cost of printing per page, you will have to obtain some fundamental facts:

• Ink/Toner Cost: Lastly, determine the cost of your printer toner or ink. If you have a toner printer, you’ll typically have a page yield (i.e., how many pages the toner cartridge will print). It is calculated by dividing the cost of toner by the number of pages it can print.
• Paper Cost: Take the cost per ream (which has 500 pages) and divide it by the number of pages you are printing. For example, if you pay $5 for a ream and print 200 pages, the paper cost would be $2.
• Maintenance Cost: Post a portion of your maintenance cost on each page printed. For example, if you pay $100 per year in printer maintenance and print 10,000 pages annually, your maintenance cost would be $0.01.
• Total Cost per Page: Calculate the cost of ink, paper, and maintenance to determine the total cost per page.

Example:

• Ink cost per page: $0.02
• Paper cost per page: $0.01
• Maintenance cost per page: $0.01

Your CPP would be $0.04 (or 4 cents per page).

Color Print Cost Per Page vs. Black-and-White

In comparison to black-and-white printing, color printing costs considerably more per page. Color printing consumes higher cartridges, namely cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK), whereas black-and-white printing only requires one black ink cartridge.

If you need to print colorful marketing materials, your per-page printing expense will rise. Color printing will cost between 10 and 20 cents per page, and black and white printing will cost between 2 and 5 cents per page.

Cost Per Page: Laser Printer vs. Inkjet Printer

Your printer is one of the determining factors when it comes to printing cost per page. Let’s compare laser printers and inkjet printers:

• Laser Printers: While laser printers are more expensive, they are less expensive per page. Laser printers are suitable for bulk printing, and you will typically have a CPP of 2 to 5 cents per black-and-white page, even lower if you print in bulk.
• Inkjet Printers: Inkjet printers are less expensive but cost more per page. This is the cost of ink cartridges, which is expensive. Inkjets can range from 8 to 15 cents per page for black-and-white printouts and as much as 20 cents or above for color printouts.

Inkjets might be okay for printing relatively small volumes, but if you’re doing a lot of print runs, a laser printer would pay off in the end.

External Factors That Affect CPP

Aside from the quality of the printer and ink, some external factors influence the cost per page:

• Usage by Printer: The higher the printing volume, the lower your CPP. The more industrial-grade printers you have, the more economical they are per page, and therefore, they are more suitable for households or companies with high print volumes.
• Power Expenses: Printers consume power, and while this may not appear to be much, it can actually cost a lot of money over time. Purchase power-saving printers, ultimately saving you more in the long term.
• Environmental Expense: Printing duplex (double-sided) halves your expenses. Recycling paper and choosing environmentally friendly printer settings will also save you money in the long term.

How to Reduce Your Cost Per Page

Now that we know how to calculate your print cost per page, let’s discuss a couple of things that you can do to lower your print cost per page:

• Choose the Right Printer: Choose a printer based on your needs. It is generally recommended to use a laser printer for black-and-white prints.
• Print Daily Jobs in Draft Mode: Print unnecessary documents in draft mode on your printer. This saves ink and minimizes the cost of printing per page.
• Print in Bulk: Repeated printing requirements, such as invoices or business flyers, can be optimized by bulk printing to minimize your cost per page.
• Use High-Yield Cartridges: High-yield cartridges can hold more ink per cartridge, lowering your cost per page of printing in the long run.
• Regular Printer Maintenance: By maintaining your printer properly, you can avoid costly repair fees and ink waste.

How to Calculate CPP for Managed Print Services or Leasing Contracts

It is more difficult to determine the per-page cost for managed print services (MPS) or lease arrangements. The lease agreements have a fixed monthly fee for print services, and the per-page cost to print falls within that monthly fee.

To calculate CPP in these agreements, divide what you spend each month on printing services by the number of pages you print. This will give you your approximate average cost of printing per page in the MPS or lease agreement.

Start Reducing Your Printing Costs Today

You can significantly impact your printing cost by becoming proficient at calculating your cost to print per page and making a couple of easy adjustments: change to a laser printer, employ high-capacity cartridges, and institute a routine maintenance procedure. If you require assistance finding the appropriate printer, we at TCS Digital Solutions are happy to help you select the most suitable label printers.

Where to Buy Label Printers

Here at TCS Digital Solutions, we carry diverse label printers for any business application. Whether you’re looking for small desktop models or heavy-duty, industrial-grade label printers, we have options available. Check out our website and browse our stock of label printers to find the ideal model for your business.

Final Takeaway

Calculating your own cost per page to print will save you money, reduce waste, and contribute to your business’s bottom line. You can keep your printing costs in check by learning what impacts these costs, choosing the right printer, and reducing waste. By understanding the factors that influence printing costs, you can make informed decisions to optimize efficiency. Selecting the right printer for your needs and reducing unnecessary waste ensures long-term savings. This approach not only benefits your budget but also supports sustainable business practices. 

Do You Have Additional Questions About Calculating Your Cost Per Page to Print? Contact our support staff by email at orders@tcsdigitalsolutions.com or call (678) 824-2304 or +1 (762) 208-6985 to answer all your queries. The TCS Digital Solutions Expert Support Staff awaits your service. To know more about Label Printers, head to our blog section and discover answers to all your questions.

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Drew Strickland

Drew is the Chief Marketing Officer and E-commerce Director at TCS Digital Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. His extensive background in marketing within this sector has deepened his passion and knowledge. He offers valuable tips and reviews on the latest printing products and innovations, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals find the most efficient and high-quality solutions for their printing needs. For a closer look into his insights and experiences, you can connect with Drew on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.