Do you need A3?
Ask who prints A3, even occasionally. If one person does, or you want a second or third paper drawer, choose an A3 copier. With no A3 work at all and a team under about ten, A4 usually covers it. Compare A4 office printers.
Choosing
How to choose a photocopier for your office
Seven questions narrow the full range down to the machine that fits. Work through them below, or let the finder answer in five taps.
- Seven questions
- Paper size
- Speed and pages
- Grade and budget
How much you print picks the machine, and most of its running cost.
What speed suits your team?
Speed is quoted in pages a minute. A workable rule: 20 to 25 pages a minute for a team of up to 5; 25 to 35 for 5 to 15; 35 to 45 for 15 to 30. Beyond 30 people, go faster again or split the work across two machines.
How much do you print each month?
Your recent toner orders give a clue; the meter readings from your current supplier give the answer. Monthly volume sets the size of the machine and, above all, the running cost. See what a copier costs over its term.
Colour, or black only?
A colour page costs more to produce than a black one. Rarely use colour? A mono machine keeps the bill down. Use it often? Take colour and make black the default setting.
Will finishing earn its place?
A finisher staples, punches or folds booklets as pages leave the machine. It pays its way when reports, handouts or packs go out every week.
What about scanning and security?
In most offices the scanner now works as hard as the printer. Look for single pass double sided scanning, scan to email and to folders, and PIN or card release so confidential pages wait for their owner instead of sitting in the tray.
Which grade: new, renewed, refurbished or used?
Heavy use and the longest life point to new. Renewed comes close to new in looks and running, at a lower cost. Refurbished is the value pick for most offices. Used keeps the outlay lowest. Compare the full range.
Prefer the phone?Compare your options with a copier specialist.Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
(03) 7056 9994Get a quote Copier finder
Answer five, see what fits
Five quick questions about your office, and the finder suggests a size, a speed, a grade and a way to pay. Want actual machines? Leave your details for two or three, each with figures.
Question 1 of 5
How many staff will share it?
Question 2 of 5
Will anyone need A3 paper?
Question 3 of 5
Do you need colour, or will mono do?
Question 4 of 5
Which grade would suit you?
Question 5 of 5
How do you want to pay?
Best fit for you
Machines like these are often on our list:
Rental is from $15 a week plus GST. Leave your details for two or three actual machines, each with its own figures.
PDF guide
Choosing an Office Copier: The Copier Store Guide
Monthly pages, paper size, colour, speed, the four grades and the true cost of running a machine, plus a checklist to complete before any supplier quotes you.
Download itEnquire
A shortlist of two or three, with written figures
Say what the machine must do, or name a model. You get two or three that fit, each with figures in writing. No obligation.
Rather speak to someone? Ring (03) 7056 9994, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Want us to narrow it down?
Describe your office and get two or three machines from the range to compare. Every enquiry is answered the same business day.
Questions
Choosing a photocopier: common questions
What is the best photocopier for a small business?
The one sized to your monthly pages, low in cost per page, and serviced close by. For a typical small office that is a refurbished colour A3 machine in the 25 to 35 page a minute class, or an A4 MFP when A3 never comes up.
A3 or A4: which should I pick?
Pick A3 when anyone prints A3 or you want extra drawers. Pick A4 when nobody does and the team is small.
How should I compare photocopiers?
Line them up on identical terms: speed, paper size, colour, the black and the colour cost per page, what each cost covers, and who will service the machine. Compare copier brands puts the makers next to each other.