How is cost per page calculated?

Divide the price of a cartridge or toner by its rated page yield. For example, an $80 toner cartridge rated for 2,500 pages costs approximately 3.2 cents per page. Page yields are based on standardized 5% coverage test documents.

Are ink tank printers cheaper to run than laser printers?

Ink tank printers can print thousands of pages from a single set of ink bottles at costs below one cent per page for black-and-white, making them competitive with or even cheaper than laser printers for ongoing costs.

What is total cost of ownership for a printer?

Total cost of ownership includes the purchase price plus all consumables (ink/toner, paper), maintenance kits, and electricity over your expected ownership period of three to five years. This gives a more accurate comparison than the sticker price alone.

Understanding Cost Per Page: The True Price of Printing

How Cost Per Page Is Calculated

Cost per page is determined by dividing the price of a cartridge by its rated page yield.

Page yield ratings are based on standardized test documents at 5% coverage.

Ink vs. Toner: Running Cost Comparison

Traditional inkjet cartridges typically produce 200 to 500 pages, while laser toner yields 1,500 to 10,000 or more pages.

Ink tank printers have disrupted this equation with costs below one cent per page.

Total Cost of Ownership

Factor in paper costs, maintenance kits, and electricity consumption beyond ink or toner.

Estimate your monthly page volume and multiply by the cost per page over your expected ownership period.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is cost per page calculated?: Divide the price of a cartridge or toner by its rated page yield. For example, an $80 toner cartridge rated for 2,500 pages costs approximately 3.2 cents per page. Page yields are based on standardized 5% coverage test documents.
Are ink tank printers cheaper to run than laser printers?: Ink tank printers can print thousands of pages from a single set of ink bottles at costs below one cent per page for black-and-white, making them competitive with or even cheaper than laser printers for ongoing costs.
What is total cost of ownership for a printer?: Total cost of ownership includes the purchase price plus all consumables (ink/toner, paper), maintenance kits, and electricity over your expected ownership period of three to five years. This gives a more accurate comparison than the sticker price alone.