Choosing Business Office Supplies: The Copier

Buying a copier, or any costly business office supplies, can be a daunting task. The copier is usually one of the most vital pieces of office equipment. With so many on the market and varying price options, it can be difficult to determine which product is right for your company.

-First determine your budget. A copier is an expensive piece of equipment. Once you settle on a budget, you can narrow down your choices and decide on what features you need.

-Make a list of the features that you want your copier to have. An automatic feeder is a must for high volume printing. The capacity is essential to your decision. How big is your office and how often will the machine be used? Even small businesses need a machine that can hold a few hundred sheets. Some copiers offer security features which can limit who uses the machine and how many copies a person can make. If you copy multi-page documents, a finisher can staple, bind, or punch holes into your documents.

-Now you must choose between black and white or coloring printing. Black and white is much cheaper than color. If your office is big on colorful presentations or creative designs, however, than this should be an easy choice. Unfortunately, a color copier may set you way over budget or you may have to skimp on other important features that you want. Color copiers are also slower than black and white. Don't forget to factor in the cost of higher quality paper for color copies and the cost of toner. Always try to search online for discount office supplies.

-Digital copiers can be a great all-in-one product. Most can scan, copy, print, and fax. If the copier is hooked up to your network, employees can do all these tasks from their desks. A multifunction copier can also be a space saver for most offices.

You've determined what model to purchase and you're ready to buy, but are you getting ripped off? Cheaper models should cost around $1,500 and are capable of 20 ppm (pages per minute). Mid-level copiers can cost anywhere between $3,000-$10,000 and can handle 21-35 ppm. A high end machine can be nearly $40,000 but will average between 36-56 ppm. If you're in the printing business or just want quality top of the line business office supplies, some copiers can cost $100,000. They can handle 100 ppm and volumes of 600,000 pages per month.

Before you make such a hefty purchase, your last decision is whether to buy or lease. Many companies will choose to lease simply because they do not have the money up front to make such a large purchase. Leasing can be more expensive in the end but some vendors will allow for upgrades to newer machines. If you choose to lease, always read the fine print and make sure there are no hidden costs. If you decide to buy, never pay full retail cost and always search for discount office products.