Why Rent a Printer Instead of Buying One? 7 Smart Ways It Cuts Business Costs Instantly
If you are asking why rent a printer instead of buying one, you are already thinking like a cost-conscious leader. Buying a device locks up cash, shifts maintenance onto your team, and can leave you with an outdated model long before it is paid off. Rental flips that script. You pay a predictable monthly fee, get the exact features your workflows need, and keep expert support on speed dial. For small organisations and large enterprises alike, this shift from CAPEX (capital expenditure) to OPEX (operating expenditure) can improve cash flow, reduce downtime, and right-size your print environment. In Perth and across Western Australia, Printcom combines flexible printer rental with on-site repairs, warranty support, and a broad selection from brands you trust. The result is simple. You print what matters, while Printcom keeps everything humming in the background.

Why Rent a Printer Instead of Buying One? The Big-Picture Answer
Think about your last major equipment purchase. You probably mapped out the TCO (total cost of ownership), compared models, and still worried about surprise repairs. Rental reduces that uncertainty. Instead of a large upfront outlay, you convert the cost into a monthly operating line that scales with your team. You stay current with technology, from robust security features to energy-saving modes, without being stuck with yesterday’s spec sheet. Just as importantly, you get a service partner who is accountable for uptime under agreed service terms. For Printcom clients, that means qualified technicians on-site, fast response, and access to consumables like toner and drums. Because Printcom is an authorized dealer for Brother, Kyocera, HP (Hewlett-Packard), Oki (Oki Electric Industry), Epson, Fuji Xerox (Fujifilm Business Innovation), and Samsung, you also choose from an extensive range of printers and photocopiers that match your duty cycles, paper sizes, and finishing needs. When conditions change, you can upgrade, downgrade, or add devices without sunk-cost anxiety.
7 Smart Ways Printer Rental Cuts Business Costs Instantly
Cost savings begin on day one because rental packages are engineered to strip out waste. Many organisations over-spec or under-spec their devices when buying. With rental, Printcom assesses volumes, media types, and locations, then recommends the right mix of mono and colour, desktop and floor-standing, A4 and A3 capable, and single or multifunction printer MFP (multifunction printer) units. You avoid paying for features you rarely use and stop underpowering teams that need heavier-duty engines. Then there is predictability. Service and parts are often included, and consumables can be supplied under contract, turning spiky repair bills into a steadier line item. According to industry benchmarks, organisations can trim 15 to 30 percent of print-related spend with smart fleet design and proactive maintenance. Add in reduced downtime, which some studies tie to a 5 to 10 percent productivity lift in document-heavy roles, and the financial story strengthens further. Finally, rentals guard against obsolescence. When security standards evolve or workflow needs change, you swap models rather than replace an owned asset at a loss.
Watch This Helpful Video
To help you better understand why rent a printer instead of buying one, we’ve included this informative video from The Grapevine. It provides valuable insights and visual demonstrations that complement the written content.
- No upfront capital drain. Keep cash free for growth projects while converting printing to OPEX (operating expenditure). This can improve ROI (return on investment) timelines across the business.
- Right-size every device. Match duty cycles and features to real usage. Printcom audits volumes so you stop overspending on colour where mono will do, and vice versa.
- Service and parts included. Eliminate surprise repair costs with qualified technicians on-site with agreed service terms and warranty support.
- Fast replacements. If a device is problematic, it is swapped instead of repeatedly patched, reducing downtime and staff frustration.
- Consumables managed. Toner, drums, and maintenance kits can be supplied under contract, cutting emergency purchases and stockouts.
- Security and compliance. Up-to-date firmware, pull-printing, and data-wipe features arrive with current models, not as expensive retrofits.
- Scalable and flexible. Add, relocate, or return devices as teams grow or consolidate. You pay for what you use, when you use it.
What Does Printer Rental Really Cost vs Buying?

It helps to see numbers. Buying looks simple at first glance, but the TCO (total cost of ownership) includes depreciation, service calls, parts, lost time during breakdowns, and the eventual hit of replacing outdated devices. Rental aggregates those variables into a predictable figure and shifts performance risk to your provider. Below is a simplified comparison for a mid-volume colour MFP (multifunction printer) used by a 20-person team printing 5,000 pages monthly. Real pricing varies by brand, model, and features like stapling, hole punching, and advanced security. Printcom tailors each quote, and may include maintenance and offer consumables under contract to protect your budget. As a rule of thumb, if you value cash flow stability, minimal downtime, and easy upgrades, rental tilts the numbers in your favour, especially when you operate multiple sites or have seasonal demand. And if you already own devices, hybrid models can blend owned equipment with rented units to optimise costs.
Cost Component | Buy Scenario | Rent Scenario |
---|---|---|
Upfront payment | AUD 5,500 plus installation | AUD 0 upfront |
Monthly cost | Variable service calls plus consumables | AUD 149 to 219 including service, parts, and agreed prints |
Downtime exposure | Owner pays for delays and loan units if needed | Provider supplies on-site repairs and swap-outs per agreed service terms |
Upgrade path | Trade-in value uncertain, model may be outdated | Planned refresh to newer models during term |
Typical 36-month outcome | Higher variability and risk of obsolescence | Stable costs, current tech, and defined support |
Note: Figures are illustrative. Print volumes, coverage, and model selection affect per-page costs. Ask Printcom for an audit to model your exact TCO (total cost of ownership).
How Printcom Minimises Risk and Downtime
Print disruptions cost real money. A device out for a day can delay invoices, stall project bids, or clog patient and student workflows. Printcom reduces that risk with a service-first rental approach. First, a qualified technician audits your environment to map devices to volumes and locations. Next, you get a plan that includes on-site repairs, warranty support, remote monitoring for proactive fixes, and scheduled maintenance. If a device does fail, fast dispatch and ready access to parts keep teams moving. Because Printcom is an authorized dealer for Brother, Kyocera, HP (Hewlett-Packard), Oki (Oki Electric Industry), Epson, Fuji Xerox (Fujifilm Business Innovation), and Samsung, replacements and loan units are available from an extensive range of printers and photocopiers, not a single brand silo. That matters when your finance floor needs mono speed while marketing needs high-fidelity colour.
Here is how it shows up in practice. A legal firm with strict confidentiality standards deploys pull-print to avoid abandoned documents, and Printcom enforces firmware updates on a controlled schedule. A manufacturer prints durable labels and work orders, so ruggedised models with high-duty cycles and dust-resistant designs are selected. A school handles variable peaks around enrolment and exams, so temporary rental capacity is added for two months each year. Each case relies on the same backbone. Agreed service terms, consistent preventative maintenance, and the option to swap models if needs change. That combination reduces unplanned spend and the hidden labour cost of staff troubleshooting printers instead of doing their real jobs.
Quick Case Snapshots
- Retail chain, 12 sites. Consolidated 18 aging devices into 12 efficient MFPs (multifunction printers) with remote monitoring. Result. 27 percent lower monthly print cost and two hours less downtime per site per week.
- Healthcare practice, 3 clinics. Encrypted drives and auto-wipe enabled. Result. Zero data incidents and predictable costs through a rental that includes service and with consumables supplied as arranged.
Which Rental Model Fits Your Team?

Different teams print differently. A project office might need high-speed A3 reports for a few months. Finance might prefer reliable mono devices near desks. Marketing might demand vibrant, accurate colour with booklet finishing. Printcom offers short-term rental, longer leases, and managed print services MPS (managed print services) to match those patterns. Device options span compact desktops to floor-standing workhorses across Brother, Kyocera, HP (Hewlett-Packard), Oki (Oki Electric Industry), Epson, Fuji Xerox (Fujifilm Business Innovation), and Samsung. With brand breadth, you get the right balance of speed, duty cycle, media handling, and security without being boxed into a single vendor. The table below illustrates typical fits and why they work. Remember, a brief discovery call and a print audit sharpen these choices so you pay for performance, not guesses.
Business Scenario | Recommended Rental Model | Typical Device Mix | Why It Works |
---|---|---|---|
Start-up scaling fast | Short-term rental with quarterly review | Brother mono desktops plus 1 colour MFP (multifunction printer) | Low upfront cost, easy to add or swap devices as teams grow |
Mid-size professional services | 36 to 48 month lease with service bundle | Kyocera A3 mono workgroup plus HP (Hewlett-Packard) colour MFP (multifunction printer) | Predictable OPEX (operating expenditure), strong uptime, secure features |
Retail with seasonal peaks | Base lease plus peak-time add-ons | Epson high-speed inkjet for labels plus Samsung mono desktops | Scales up without paying for idle capacity off-season |
Manufacturing floor | Ruggedised rentals with rapid swap | Oki (Oki Electric Industry) and Kyocera mono workhorses with dust protection | Reliability under heavy duty and easy replacement if issues arise |
Education, multi-site | MPS (managed print services) with centralised reporting | Fuji Xerox (Fujifilm Business Innovation) A3 colour hubs plus Brother mono satellites | Central control, lower per-page costs, and easy user management |
Answers to Common Questions from Finance, IT, and Operations
Stakeholders tend to ask the same questions, and they are good ones. Finance wants predictability and a path to ROI (return on investment). IT (Information Technology) wants security and minimal tickets. Operations wants uptime and simple workflows. Here are clear answers you can take into a planning meeting. They apply whether you run one office or a fleet across the state. If you need more detail on any response, Printcom’s team can provide model-specific data sheets, security white papers, or per-page cost models based on your volumes and coverage.
- Can we buy the device at the end of the term? Yes, many agreements include buyout options. Printcom can price a fair market value or refresh you to a newer model.
- How is security handled? Current models include firmware signing, encrypted storage, pull-printing, and secure erase. Printcom configures these features and maintains updates under agreed service terms.
- Will rental increase our costs if we print a lot? Not if the fleet is right-sized. High-volume sites get heavier-duty devices and lower per-page rates to keep TCO (total cost of ownership) efficient.
- What about sustainability? Newer devices use less energy and toner. Printcom offers recycling for cartridges and chooses energy-efficient models to cut your footprint and utility bills.
- Do we have to standardise on one brand? No. As an authorized dealer across Brother, Kyocera, HP (Hewlett-Packard), Oki (Oki Electric Industry), Epson, Fuji Xerox (Fujifilm Business Innovation), and Samsung, Printcom picks the best-fit model for each role.
How Printcom’s Approach Solves Real Problems You Face
Many businesses struggle with high printing costs, unreliable equipment, and the hassle of juggling repairs across different brands. Printcom addresses these pains with a structured process. First comes discovery and a usage audit. Then a device plan is built to your budgets and service expectations. Installation includes driver deployment, print policy setup, and user training so day one runs smoothly. After that, monitoring and preventative maintenance keep performance steady. Warranty support protects you from parts surprises. When demand changes, flexible rental and leasing options let you scale or reconfigure without tearing up your budget. For leadership, that is a single accountable partner who handles sales, support, and upgrades across an extensive range of printers and photocopiers, rather than a mess of one-off vendors.
Practical tips to make the most of rental from day one. Centralise colour devices and keep mono near desks to reduce accidental colour pages. Enable pull-printing to cut abandoned documents by up to 30 percent, a common waste driver cited in office studies. Set duplex as default to halve paper on internal drafts. Schedule quarterly reviews to compare actual volumes to your plan and reallocate devices as teams shift. Ask for usage dashboards so finance can track cost per department. And do not overlook training. A 30-minute walkthrough often reduces support tickets by teaching staff how to scan to email, print securely, and clear common jams. Combined with Printcom’s on-site service and access to consumables, these best practices can transform your print environment within a single quarter.
Area | Buy | Rent |
---|---|---|
Cash flow | Large upfront, variable service costs | Predictable monthly, service included |
Uptime risk | On your team to manage | Shifted to provider under agreed service terms |
Technology currency | Risk of obsolescence | Refresh during term available |
Vendor management | Multiple contacts across brands | Single accountable partner, Printcom |
Renting a printer compresses costs, cuts risk, and hands you uptime backed by expert service. That is how budgets breathe easier and teams print without drama.
Imagine the next 12 months with stable monthly spend, modern features that protect data, and a fleet that scales smoothly with your goals. What would you re-invest the saved time and money into?
If you are weighing why rent a printer instead of buying one, this is the moment to compare options side by side and choose the plan that accelerates your business.
Additional Resources
Explore these authoritative resources to dive deeper into why rent a printer instead of buying one.
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