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Printers used to print invoices
I would like to know what kind of printers others are using to print
invoices I use ink jet but cost is becoming a issue I am thinking of
going to dot matrix but would like to know what is more cost effective
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11 Replies
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We use Brother HL-5370DW laser printers. It is much cheaper per page. It is highly rated in Consumer Reports and we have had no problems with them.
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We use OKI-data B4600 mono printer. dry ink – lot less money
Up to 27 ppm. Up to 7,000 page toner capacity. Toner refills about $70.00 Long lasting. In 10 years in business I’ve only worn out 1.
I use it to print everything, work orders, invoices, checks, statements, etc.
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Hey josh!
I think you might have a challenge finding dot matrix printers in this
new millenia…
I used inkjet to print my work and repair orders for about the first
six months in business. I wash churning through about $100 of ink a
month – STUPID. I switched over to a wireless print, Multifunction
laser. I cleared about six acres of additional space onto the desks,
and reduced my costs of print material to about $100 every three
months. I chose a Samsung unit, but after a year and a hlaf of
service, the Sammy has elected to part ways with the shop. I’ve had
nothing but troubles with the Samsung “technical support” trying to
keep the unit running on wireless. This last episode has driven me to
buy a Dell multifunction. I got almost 2 years out of a $300
printer… hopefully this Dell will last me a shade longer.
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We are currently using HP Laser Jet p2055dn Mono printers for our Invoices and repair orders. (We use different paper for invoices) They are holding up well so far but we have only had them for about a year now. The toner seems to be expensive. It seems harder these days to find a “cost per page” report in the printer specs/reviews. Good luck.
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Most of the shops we work with use Black & White laser printers for
the best quality and for the print cost.
If you go with a cheap home/office laser it will cost you more in
toner and maintenance.
Just do the math before you buy and figure your monthly print volume
by the size/price of the toner to come up with your 1 year and 2 year
cost analysis on the printer.
Couple examples:
So if you print an average of 2000 pages per month or 24000 pages per
year.
Cost of low end Brother printer: $150
Cost of 2400 page toner: $70 (need 10 per year)
Cost of 12000 page drum unit (sometimes included with toner unit):
$105 (need 2 per year)
Cost of printer after 1 year: $150 + ($70 * 10) + ($105 * 2) = $1060
Cost of printer after 2 years: $150 + ($70 * 20) + ($105 * 4) = $1970
Here’s an example with a slightly better printer.
Cost of mid-range HP LaserJet printer: $500
Cost of 6000 page toner w/drum: $140 (need 4 per year)
Cost of printer after 1 year: $500 + ($140 * 4) = $1060
Cost of printer after 1 year: $500 + ($140 * 8) = $1620
Those are actual printer comparisons with approximate numbers. Break
even point is one year and a $500 printer is going to be faster and
more reliable than a $150 printer any day. You also have less
headache and supply changing required. Maintenance is also less
expensive on better printers. Sub $250 printers are usually throw
away items.
Using inkjet will be considerably more expensive. Using color laser
is also costly and color laser printers are known for being less
reliable, slower and have a shorter lifespan.
Hope that helps.
Paolo Ladomato
President
UserEasy Computer Systems
Providing IT Services to Auto Repair Shops since 1991
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What types of printers have you guys been using?
Have you done the math yet on how much your printers are costing you?
Some popular models we’ve used are:
HP LaserJet P3005
HP LaserJet 4250TN
Paolo Ladomato
President
UserEasy Computer Systems
Providing IT Services to Auto Repair Shops since 1991
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I use a Canon inkjet printer with generic ink. I pay about $24 for 3 cartridges of each color (15 Cartridges). Thats less than $2.00 per cartridge. I have been using them for about 5 years and have had no issues. I print out tech worksheets, authorization sheets, service reminders, envelopes, and invoices. Contact me for more info
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Yes, aftermarket ink/toner is a great money-saving tip. If you found a good quality supplier that works good. Same goes for laser printers.
However, most printer warranties will be void if your aftermarket supplies ruin the printer.
But business owners have to be risk takers too. Do the math (including potential hassles and outages) and choose what works best for your operation.
–Jesse
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We have been using a Samsung ML-3471ND laser printer for everything. Invoices,statements, reports etc and have been pleased. We average 16-20K pages per image/toner cartridge. We have a very dusty shop and office and I personaly believe with the heavy print volume and the dirt 2-3 yrs is all that can be expected from any printer. We switched from okidata and had bad paper jam issues with them no matter what paper we used. The Samsung has very seldom had a paper jam.
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I have been selling and supporting shop management system for 19 years.
If you are serious about buying a commercial business system then don’t
buy a consumer printer unless you want to keep buying a new one every 6
months to a year. I have shops that print 2000-3000 pages a month and
they use HP LaserJet P4015n. This printer is rated up to 52 page/minute.
This support printing from 5 or more computers all day long. If you have
less printing and fewer users then go with the HP LaserJet 3015n. The
last one I sold lasted the high volume customer 4 years.
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I will strongly agree with the HP. I am on my second HP 2015 LaserJet. The first one lasted 5 years and we are on year 3 on this unit. I could not tell you the number of pages per month but we print job tickets, invoices, statements and all office reports from 6 computers on this one printer. We have a cheap printer at each computer in the shop but with the problems getting the 100.00 printers to work the guys usually swith to the HP in the office.
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