Buying a printer vs a printer contract

What does it mean to lease a printer?

Printer leasing is a contract where a business pays a monthly fee to use a printer setup for an agreed length of time. These are typically fixed term print contracts, which will sometimes have the option to add on services like installation, repairs or restocking of ink or toner – as well as the freedom to upgrade as technology evolves.

It’s essentially renting, while buying a printer gives you greater ownership and control over your printing assets. For businesses that need flexibility, printer leasing can seem like a great option – but you can still achieve this when you buy a printer directly by adding on a managed print service.

The pros of leasing

• Predictable monthly cost
  The cost to lease a printer can vary based on the company you partner with, but it will typically be a set cost that you pay monthly. You also avoid paying anything upfront for the printers.

• Service add-ons
  In some contracts, repairs, maintenance, install and supplies will be included in your monthly cost – helping you control your monthly budget.

• Flexibility
  You have the choice of how many printers you need, the amount you print and how much you are willing to pay each month. However, once you are committed to an agreement, you may not be able to change any of these factors until the end of your lease.

• Advanced equipment
  When you spread the cost of your devices, you’ll be able to choose a higher-spec machine and may even have the opportunity to upgrade when new technology comes along.

While leasing does have its benefits, all the main pros of a printer lease can be achieved through a managed printer service.

The cons of leasing

• No assets ownership
  Even though you are paying a monthly fee, you don’t own the printer, so it doesn’t contribute to your company’s assets.

• Potential usage limits
  Depending on the printer contract, you may have restrictions on monthly print volumes or the types of supplies that are included.

• Higher long-term costs
  Because of interest, you’ll end up paying more over the whole term of your lease than if you were to purchase your printers outright.

• Little flexibility with contracts
  It can vary between print contracts, but you may need to make payments for the entire lease period – even if you no longer need the equipment or your business needs change.

The pros of buying

• Fewer surprise costs
  Buying a device means you avoid additional costs tied to printer lease agreements. But if it breaks, you’re liable for the cost of repairing or replacing it.

• Asset ownership
  When you buy a printer outright, it becomes an asset for your company – meaning you have full control over its usage and can include it in your business’s total worth.

• Long-term cost savings
  Even though you need to make an initial investment, owning a printer is more cost-effective in the long run, especially if you are printing in high volumes.

• Full integration with existing systems
  Owning your devices mean you can fully integrate them with existing systems, so that your printing setup works seamlessly.

The cons of buying

• Initial expense
  To buy your hardware, you’ll need to pay an upfront cost – which may restrict your cashflow for other business needs.

• Increased responsibility
  Without a managed print service, you’ll be responsible for all maintenance and repairs costs, which may be unpredictable.

• Less access to advanced technology
  The printer you’ve purchased may become outdated, which would require another investment to get access to the latest model.

If you’re still debating whether to buy or lease a printer, it’s important to consider how a managed print service can offset some of the cons of buying. Brother’s MPS offering includes maintenance and repairs as well as the option of cloud based or on-premises technology.

Which path suits your business best?

There’s lots of factors to consider, including the size of your business, cash flow, in-house resources and how much you print. It’s also important to think about how likely your print needs are to change and how much flexibility you need in your contract.

Before deciding whether to buy or lease a business printer, find out how much you could save through a managed print service by contacting us. We’ll work with you to discover the perfect  plan for your business needs.

Let Brother MPS guide you to the right decision

Still deciding between a printer lease vs buying your hardware? Brother’s Managed Print Service can help you make smarter printing decisions, with automatic ink and toner delivery before you run out, support and maintenance, and easy used cartridge returns.

When you sign up to Brother MPS, we can support your entire print infrastructure, including hardware, software, and supplies – so you get all the benefits of leasing, while still owning your printing assets.

Find out more about our MPS offerings and discover the right plan for your business.

Choose what moves your business forward

Brother can help you manage all your printing needs, providing visibility and control, improved productivity, lower costs and total peace of mind. If you decide buying is the right option for your business, Brother MPS Makes Printing Simple.

Find out more about Brother MPS on our website or contact an expert today.