Are Consumables Included in the Managed Print Service Plan?
For many businesses, printing is an essential part of daily operations. Whether you’re printing invoices, contracts, educational materials, marketing collateral, or client documents, maintaining a steady flow of printer supplies—especially consumables like toner, ink, and paper—is vital. However, managing and tracking these consumables can be both time-consuming and costly, particularly in fast-paced environments.
That’s where Managed Print Services (MPS) come in. One of the most frequently asked questions by businesses considering MPS is:
“Are consumables included in the managed print service plan?”
The short answer is yes—in most comprehensive MPS agreements, consumables are indeed included. But there’s more to it than just having toner delivered when you need it.
In this article, we’ll explore what consumables are, how they’re handled in a managed print agreement, what’s typically included (and what’s not), and why including consumables in your MPS plan can dramatically improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and save your business money.
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What Are Printer Consumables?
Before we get into what MPS covers, let’s clarify what qualifies as printer consumables. These are the parts and supplies required for a printer to function and produce printed materials. They include:
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Toner cartridges (used in laser printers)
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Ink cartridges (used in inkjet printers)
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Imaging drums
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Developer units
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Waste toner bottles
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Paper trays or rollers (in some cases)
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Staples and finishing supplies (for advanced multifunction devices)
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Paper (often not included, but we’ll cover this)
These consumables wear out or are depleted over time and must be replaced regularly to keep the printer running efficiently.
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Are Consumables Included in Managed Print Services?
In most standard Managed Print Service plans, yes—consumables like toner and ink are included as part of your agreement. These supplies are monitored and automatically replenished by your MPS provider, so you never run out or need to place manual orders again.
However, what’s included can vary depending on the provider, contract level, and your business needs.
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What Consumables Are Usually Included:
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Toner or ink cartridges: Typically the most expensive and frequently needed supplies, toner and ink are almost always covered.
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Drums and imaging units: In many laser printers, the drum is a separate unit and can be included in the plan depending on your print volume.
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Waste toner containers: These are often forgotten until they’re full—but many MPS plans ensure these are replaced proactively.
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Staples or finishing supplies: If you have a multifunction printer with stapling or binding, these consumables may be included upon request or for high-volume agreements.
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What May Not Be Included:
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Paper: While paper is a consumable, most MPS agreements do not include it by default, as businesses often have unique preferences for type, weight, and size.
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Specialty media: Items like photo paper, card stock, or labels may not be included unless specified.
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User-caused damage or misuse-related repairs: Some wear-and-tear parts may be excluded from the consumables agreement if the damage is due to improper use.
That said, some providers—like Printcom in Perth—offer fully customisable MPS plans where businesses can choose to bundle in paper and other specialty supplies if desired.
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How Consumable Fulfilment Works in an MPS Plan
One of the standout benefits of MPS is automation and convenience. Rather than relying on your office staff to track toner levels or place orders reactively, MPS providers install monitoring software that tracks usage in real time. Here’s how it typically works:
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Automated Monitoring
Every device in your print environment is monitored 24/7. The system detects:
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Low toner or ink levels
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Usage patterns and expected depletion dates
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Maintenance alerts (e.g., when a drum is near end-of-life)
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Proactive Replenishment
When toner or other consumables reach a pre-set threshold (often around 20% remaining), the system automatically triggers a shipment to your office—arriving before you ever run out.
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Centralised Management
If you operate across multiple departments or locations, consumables can be delivered directly to the correct branch, floor, or department, reducing delays and confusion.
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Cost Tracking and Usage Reports
Every cartridge shipped and used is logged in your monthly print usage report, allowing you to track:
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Toner consumption per user or device
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Cost-per-page breakdowns
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Forecasting for budgeting purposes
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Cost Savings of Including Consumables in MPS
Many businesses make the mistake of buying toner and ink through retail channels or online marketplaces. While convenient, this often results in:
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Paying premium prices for genuine cartridges
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Risking compatibility issues with generic or third-party supplies
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Over-ordering or stockpiling (tying up cash flow)
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Emergency purchases that interrupt workflow
By including consumables in your MPS plan, you benefit from:
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Wholesale Pricing
Providers negotiate directly with manufacturers and pass savings on to you.
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No Overstock or Waste
You only receive what you need, when you need it.
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No Last-Minute Shopping
Eliminates time wasted by staff scrambling to find supplies.
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Consolidated Billing
Your consumables, hardware, support, and software are typically included in one predictable monthly invoice—making budgeting easier.
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Improved Security and Compliance
For industries like healthcare, law, and finance, secure document handling is essential. But did you know consumables management also plays a role in compliance?
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Untracked toner usage can indicate unauthorised or excessive printing.
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Improper disposal of cartridges may violate environmental or data privacy policies (e.g., used cartridges that still contain data in intelligent chips).
MPS providers often offer secure cartridge disposal programs and consumable usage reports for auditing purposes—keeping you in line with data protection laws and ESG policies.
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Environmental Benefits of Consumables-Inclusive MPS
Managed Print Services that include consumables often provide:
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Cartridge recycling programs
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Consolidated deliveries to reduce emissions
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Eco-friendly toner and energy-efficient printing recommendations
This contributes to your company’s sustainability goals and reduces your carbon footprint.
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Why Choose Printcom for MPS with Consumables in Perth?
If you’re based in Perth or Western Australia, Printcom is a trusted local provider offering comprehensive Managed Print Services, including consumables.
With over 30 years of experience, Printcom delivers:
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Automatic toner replenishment
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Usage tracking and reports
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OEM-quality consumables at wholesale rates
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On-site support and maintenance
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Customised plans for businesses in healthcare, law, education, retail, and construction
📍 Location: 53 Railway Parade, Mount Lawley WA
📞 Phone: (08) 6270 5500
🌐 Website: www.printcom.com.au
📧 Email: sales@printcom.com.au
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Conclusion: The Consumable Advantage in MPS
So, are consumables included in a Managed Print Service plan? In most cases—absolutely. Toner, ink, drums, waste containers, and sometimes even finishing supplies are covered under your agreement. By integrating consumables into your MPS plan, your business benefits from:
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Lower overall print costs
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Zero supply-related downtime
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Reduced administrative burden
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Enhanced security and sustainability
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Simplified procurement and invoicing
If you’re still manually managing printer supplies, it’s time to consider a smarter, more automated solution. Speak to a reputable MPS provider like Printcom and discover how consumables-inclusive MPS can improve your operations today.
Tags:
#ManagedPrintServices #PrintcomPerth #ConsumablesInMPS #OfficePrintingSolutions #TonerReplenishment #BusinessEfficiency #PrinterFleetManagement #SecurePrinting #EcoFriendlyPrinting #PerthPrintingSupport #TonerDelivery #PrintCostSavings #PrinterMaintenanceWA
