If you're looking into managed print services, one of the first questions you'll probably ask is, "How much is this going to cost?"
The honest answer is...it depends.
That might sound frustrating, but there's a good reason for it. Every organisation prints differently. A primary school with a handful of multifunction printers has very different requirements from a manufacturing business with multiple sites and hundreds of users.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all package, managed print services are designed around how your organisation actually works. That means you only pay for what you need, and often discover opportunities to reduce your printing costs along the way.
Here's what affects pricing and what you can expect to pay.
No two organisations have the same printing habits, which is why most providers start by reviewing your existing setup before putting together a quote.
They'll look at things like:
Once they understand how your business prints today, they can recommend a solution that's tailored to your needs—not one that's packed with services you'll never use.
Although every quote is different, pricing is usually built around four main factors.
More printers generally mean more maintenance, more consumables and more support.
That said, having lots of devices doesn't automatically mean paying more. In fact, many organisations discover they have far more printers than they actually need. A managed print review can often reduce the number of devices while improving efficiency across the business.
The amount you print each month has a big impact on your costs.
In many cases, higher print volumes lead to lower managed print services cost per page because fixed costs are spread across more pages.
Every organisation has different priorities.
A school might need rapid engineer call-outs to avoid disruption during term time, while an office may value remote monitoring that spots issues before anyone notices there's a problem.
Higher levels of support can increase your monthly costs, but they also reduce downtime and keep your team productive.
Some organisations already have suitable printers and simply need ongoing support. Others want to replace ageing equipment with newer, more efficient devices.
If your contract includes new multifunction printers or photocopiers, this will naturally influence the overall cost.
One of the most common pricing models is a simple cost-per-page agreement.
Instead of worrying about separate maintenance bills or ordering toner, you pay a fixed amount for every page you print. This makes monthly costs much easier to predict and helps avoid unexpected expenses.
Paper is often excluded, so it's always worth checking exactly what's included in your agreement.
Typical managed print services cost per page in the UK is around:
The exact figure depends on your print volumes, devices and support requirements.
While every organisation is different, these figures offer a useful starting point.
Businesses, charities or schools with lower print volumes and only a few devices typically spend between £50 and £300 per month.
Organisations with several departments or multiple locations often pay between £300 and £1,500 per month, depending on their printing needs.
Businesses with high print volumes, academy trusts or organisations operating across multiple sites can expect to invest £1,500 or more each month.
These figures are only intended as a guide. The best way to understand what managed print services will cost your organisation is to look at your current print environment and identify where savings can be made.
When comparing quotes, it's tempting to focus on the monthly price—but that's only part of the picture.
A cheaper contract isn't always better if it leaves you paying extra every time something goes wrong.
A good managed print agreement should clearly include:
It's also worth asking about any additional charges before you sign.
Watch out for things like:
Knowing exactly what's covered makes it much easier to compare providers fairly.
When organisations think about printing costs, they often focus on lease payments or toner.
In reality, they're only seeing part of the picture.
The true cost of printing also includes:
Looking at the total cost of ownership often reveals that managed print services can save far more than expected, not just in money, but in time as well.
The cheapest quote isn't always the best investment.
A good managed print provider should help you reduce waste, improve reliability and take the hassle out of managing your print environment.
Look for a provider with experience in your sector, clear and transparent pricing, responsive support and a solution that can grow alongside your organisation.
At the end of the day, the right managed print service should make life easier, not more complicated.
If you'd like to know what managed print services would cost for your organisation, the Keeley Travis team can provide a tailored estimate with a clear, jargon-free breakdown of what you'd pay, what's included and where you could save. Get in touch today to start the conversation.
Get in touch with a member of the team today!
Image Source: Konica Minolta