FAQ:

Printers and Copiers

When should I switch from a box store all-in-one machine to a commercial quality printer/copier?

When you’re printing and copying more than 2,000 pages per month, you can save money by switching to a commercial machine.  When you’ve had it with “throw away” machines, you can save waste by switching to a commercial machine that will last you for years and years.  Finally, when you want to print and copy onto 11x17 inch paper, you have to get a commercial machine.

Is the ability to print in color really worth the cost?

Research on color in business documents indicates a clear yes.  Here’s a few facts to consider.  Color can increase payment response by up to 30%.  Color increases reader’s attention spans and recall by 82%.  Color increases comprehension by as much as 73%.  Color reduces errors by 80%.  Information can be located 70% faster if it’s in color.  Color increases learning and retention by 78%.

Why is it that I only get 3.500 pages from a toner cartridge when the yield is supposed to be 5,000 copies?

Toner yield is based on 5% page coverage.  This is about the coverage of a business letter on a page.  If you’re getting 3,500 pages from a toner cartridge with standard yield of 5,000 pages, it doesn’t means that you are not getting full usage of the cartridge.  It means that your average coverage for the documents you produce is about 7%.

What should I know about shopping for a used copier?

If you’re buying the machine from another company, contact the dealership that maintained the machine to get their opinion of it.  If you’re buying the machine from an equipment dealership, make sure you know the cost per copy that they want to maintain the copier for you.  Also, insist on trying out the machine at your company for a week or so before committing to buy or lease it.

Is there a way to block unwanted faxes?

Unwanted faxes are a waste of both paper and toner.  If you have a commercial quality fax or MFP, you can set up a table of phone numbers that spam you with unwanted faxes so that they are blocked from being received on your equipment.

My lease is coming to an end and I don’t like the machine or the company I bought it from.  Is there anything I can do?

Yes.  Be sure to check the terms of your lease.  You can notify the leasing company that you intend to ship the machine back to them at the end of the lease, but you must do this within a certain time frame, sometimes as long as three months in advance.  If you buy your next machine from Blackburn Office Equipment, we can ship your old machine back for you.

Where can I find unbiased information about digital imagers and faxes?

Buyer’s Laboratories is a company that tests and rates commercial digital imagers and faxes.  This is a subscription based service and not generally available to the public.  Blackburn Office Equipment subscribes to the Buyer’s Laboratories reporting service and we can provide you with Buyer’s Labs reports and product comparisons, if you request them.

Is there a way to scan a printed document that will turn it into a Word file that I can edit?

Yes.  Scanning using optical character recognition (OCR) software can convert printed text into a Word file.  Moreover, it can also convert a printed spreadsheet into an Excel file.  This software comes as a standard scanning feature on Sharp commercial copiers.

Commercial copiers are so expensive.  How can I avoid a mistake when investing in a copier?

To avoid buyer’s remorse, buy based on quality, not price.  Ask for a demo before buying to find out the features the equipment has to offer.  Also, ask for references to make sure you’re dealing with a quality company that is easy to work with.  Finally, buy from an authorized equipment dealership to assure that the technicians are well trained.

Why should I get a commercial printer/copier for my business when the box store machines do the same thing?

If you make more than 2,000 copies per month, then you’re paying more for printing and copying using box store machines than you would using a commercial printer/copier.  Also, with commercial equipment, you can get a maintenance contract to keep it running for hundreds of thousands of copies.  So, when you have had it with the “throw aways,” it’s time to get a commercial machine.

What are the factors to consider when buying a photocopier/printer?

Value is foremost.  This does not mean the lowest price.  This means the machine that will best meet your needs.  Read the reviews on the equipment in addition to talking with the sales people.  When making your decision, don’t forget to factor in ease of use and what your options will be if the machine breaks.