Understanding Printer Cost Per Page

What Is Cost Per Page?

Cost per page is the average expense of consumables for each page you print. It includes the cost of ink or toner, and in some calculations, the cost of paper and other consumable parts like drum units. This metric helps you compare the true running cost of different printers.

How to Calculate It

Divide the cost of a toner cartridge or ink cartridge by its rated page yield to determine the cost per page. For example, a $30 toner cartridge rated for 3,000 pages costs $0.01 per page, while a $20 ink cartridge rated for 200 pages costs $0.10 per page.

Ink vs. Toner Costs

Laser printers using toner generally offer lower per-page costs than inkjet printers using ink cartridges, especially at higher print volumes. However, ink tank printers with refillable reservoirs can match or beat laser per-page costs for colour printing.

Standard vs. High-Yield Cartridges

High-yield cartridges cost more upfront but produce significantly more pages, resulting in a lower cost per page. If your printer supports high-yield cartridges, they are almost always the better value.

Hidden Costs

Some printers require periodic replacement of maintenance components such as drum units, fuser assemblies, or waste toner containers. Include these costs in your total cost per page calculation for a more accurate comparison.