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Thread ID: 112255 2010-08-29 22:45:00 How do I calculate the cost of laser printing? Sabre (285) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1132896 2010-08-29 22:45:00 I have a HP Color Laser Jet CM1015 MFP which uses 1 black cartridge @ $134 which is rated at 2500 pages at 5% coverage and three colour cartridges @ $124 each rated at 2000 pages at 5% coverage.

My question is this: how much does it cost to print one full page of colour based on these figures? Do we add all the rates together eg 2500 + 2000+2000+2000 and divide the total costs to find a per page cost, or is it more like the total cost divided by the rate for the worst performer?

This is question that must have been asked before, as it will be pertinent to all businesses and the principles will apply to all types of multicartridge printers.
Sabre (285)
1132897 2010-08-29 23:08:00 b&w = $134/2500
colour = $124(doesnt matter if 1 or 3 colours)\2000

Well, thats how I would do it + cost of paper sheet also!

100% is solid colour, no one prints solid colour for total page, so while 5% is low, average would be correct, depending on the type of use!
SolMiester (139)
1132898 2010-08-29 23:08:00 I don't think you'll be able to get an exact figure, cos even printing photos at full page varies, for example if you print a photo of the sea you will use a lot more cyan and yellow whereas a sunset will use a lot more red.

Basically I think 5% coverage may be the average from day to day use.
SoniKalien (792)
1132899 2010-08-29 23:17:00 b&w = $134/2500
colour = $124(doesnt matter if 1 or 3 colours)\2000



Yep.
Near enough to compare costs with other printers........
pctek (84)
1132900 2010-08-31 08:11:00 I am aware that 5% is quoted as this is the coverage for a page of print. And I agree the cost may vary, but surely if you were using mainly cyan for the sea you would not be using another colours so much. If we add the cost of the ink together we get $536 and this should print 8500 pages at 5% so the cost to print one page of print should be 6 cents per page. If we add a few pictures, as in a sales brochure, the coverage may rise to 10% and the cost per page to 12 cents. This does not cover the cost of paper or the capital cost of the printer. So we need to charge out at more than the 10 cents per side which has been my price. Sabre (285)
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