Deciding whether to repair or replace your commercial printer can be a difficult decision. You need to consider a number of factors, such as upfront vs long-term costs, the age of your machine, your current needs, and much more.
This helpful guide aims to help you make an educated decision regarding your commercial printer.
What is the lifespan of a commercial printer?
The lifespan of a modern commercial printer would typically be around 5 years. However, this number can vary based on multiple factors. For example, a poorly maintained machine is likely to operate less effectively, and run much more slowly. Likewise, your machine may break down much quicker if parts aren’t maintained, and therefore degrade faster.
However, with regular maintenance and servicing, commercial printers are often easily able to outlast this 5 year lifespan, maintaining their efficiency and effectiveness.
What to consider when your printer breaks
When your printer breaks, you first need to consider the potential causes of the breakdown and understand if any basic troubleshooting steps might be all that is needed to get the printer back online:
Check power and cables - Ensure that power lights/screen displays are lit, all cables are securely plugged in and without damage.
Power cycle printer - It might seem like a simple fix but, all too often, broken machinery is experiencing temporary glitches which can be solved through a simple reset.
Test connectivity issues - If your printer is wireless, issues are often due to connectivity problems. Test your printer again using a wired connection, as this should help you to determine whether the issue is a connectivity one.
If the basic troubleshooting steps don’t work, and you think the device may have a more serious issue, you should consider whether the next option is to repair or replace the machine:
Compare costs - Consider the costs associated with repairing the printer. If your device would require certain parts which are hard to find, or if you’re experiencing a major issue, it may actually be more cost-effective to replace or upgrade your printer.
Assess printer age and current value - Newer printers which are vital to your work are more likely to be worth repairing than older models which perhaps weren’t optimal.
Breakdown frequency - If you’re noticing that your machine is regularly breaking down, full replacement is likely to be a more cost-effective solution over time.
The benefits of replacing vs repairing a printer
There are a variety of benefits associated with replacing a damaged or broken printer, as well as benefits to repairing the machine. Often, printer servicing or repairs are worth it.
To begin with, here are some of the benefits of repairing a printer:
Lower upfront cost - Usually, the cost of repairing a printer will be cheaper upfront than buying a brand new one, particularly for the high end models used in commercial offices.
Environmental benefits - Repairing your printer reduces the amount of e-waste produced. This is important for businesses who are concerned about their impact on the environment.
Familiarity with current machine - If your commercial printer is (up until it broke down) fit for purpose, and those using it are familiar with its features and functionality, repairs are often beneficial for the purpose of simplicity.
Consider one off printer servicing if you think your machine just needs to be repaired.
Next, let’s look at the benefits of replacing your commercial printer:
Ability to upgrade - Choosing to replace your printer instead of repairing it frees up your options for an upgrade. If you’ve already been considering a newer model, and now your current printer is breaking down, a replacement might be the better choice.
Long-term cost efficiency - Whilst paying for a new printer can be a big upfront investment, it reduces the need for constant repairs, and is also likely to run more efficiently. Pairing a newer model with ongoing printer maintenance will actually cut costs in the long run.
Improved performance - If you’ve been experiencing issues such as poor print quality, repeat breakdown, or low efficiency, replacing your printer provides an improvement in performance across the board.
Signs your commercial printer needs replacing
There are some warning signs that a commercial printer should be replaced instead of repaired:
Frequent paper jams
Poor print quality
Slow performance
Increasing maintenance needs/costs
Outdated technology
Increasing operational costs
How to know whether to replace your printer or have it repaired
Deciding whether to replace or repair your printer means weighing up costs vs benefits, as well as considering whether your current printer can still be relied upon, even after repair work.
If your printer is still relatively new, you’ve not experienced any major technical issues, and the cost of repair is under 50% of the price of a new printer, then repairs are likely the better option.
However, if your printer is breaking down regularly and needs constant repairs, you want an upgrade on tech, or your machine is outputting low quality work, it’s probably time to consider replacement.
Get in touch with Copy Print Services for printer repairs, replacement or maintenance.
