Download This Special Report

Sunday, May 13, 2007

The Computer Consulting Kit: Tips for Reducing Small Business Printing Costs

Printer ink can be incredibly expensive. Joshua Feinberg and the Computer Consulting Kit along with other professional experts recently weighed in on their opinions of how small businesses can cut printing costs and be more productive.

The Computer Consulting Kit: Printer Ink is Expensive

Business leaders need to look at what they print before they print. As an example, the going rate for a bottle of Cristal Champagne is $350; but if small business owners were to fill that bottle of champagne with printer ink, it would cost about $1,350.

The Computer Consulting Kit: Printing Costs Often Go Undetected

Printing costs often don’t figure into regular business operations because much of the cost comes out of petty cash for small businesses. So how can small businesses figure ink into the bottom line?

Most small and mid-sized businesses count on in-house printing but are always watching costs. The printer business has been most lucrative for hardware manufacturers such as HP, Lexmark and even Dell and is driven mainly by custom-fit ink cartridges. New types of printing techniques such as outsourcing, laser printers and multi-function devices are taking over traditional inkjet printers. Still, major manufacturers continue to entice small businesses.

The Computer Consulting Kit: Tips to Cut Printing Costs

Many small businesses get creative when they think about alternatives to high ink bills. Joshua Feinberg of The Computer Consulting Kit and other professionals say,

1. Laser printers are a good investment and have come down in price. They will have a lower printing cost per page than inkjet printers.

2. Study manufacturing specifications on printers and also on cartridges. Checking settings and resetting settings such as the duty cycle and others can help improve the efficiency of a machine.

3. Set computers to duplex printing. You will not save on ink, but you will save on paper and storage space for documents.

4. Keep print jobs in-house, as outsourcing printing jobs can cost as much as three times more on average.

5. Look out for hidden costs and think about the “headache factor,” which comes from installation, maintenance, lost productivity during paper jams and other inconveniences. There are software programs that can track consumable expenses like ink and paper, but The Computer Consulting Kit expert warns they can lead to more trouble than they are worth.

The Computer Consulting Kit: The Bottom Line About Printing

The majority of small businesses have made progress when it comes to getting away from paper processes and using email and digital filing systems. But printing needs continue to be an issue. These tips from The Computer Consulting Kit can help professionals save money and grow their businesses.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit