---
title: How to Calculate Print Costs
description: Print costs are often the most overlooked expenses in business, especially since these costs are typically allocated in multiple budgets and departments. Here's how to calculate your print costs.
---

[Prosource | Business Technology Blog](https://blog.totalprosource.com)

# [How to Calculate Print Costs](https://blog.totalprosource.com/how-to-calculate-print-costs)

 Written by [Danielle Hoverman](https://blog.totalprosource.com/author/danielle-hoverman) | 2/28/18 7:32 PM

<https://blog.totalprosource.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Calculate%20Print%20Costs%20Infographic.jpg>

 

Print costs are often the most overlooked expenses in business, especially since these costs are typically allocated in multiple budgets and departments. Not having a clear understanding of your total print spend results in unmanaged print spending which can negatively impact your bottom line.

**\[You Might Also Like: Blog Article - ["True Cost of Printing and How to Calculate Your True Cost of Ownership"](https://blog.totalprosource.com/true-cost-of-printing-how-to-calculate-your-true-cost-of-ownership)\]**

1. ** How much are you spending?** 
     1. Unmanaged print expenses can cost 1%-3% of a company’s total revenue.
2. ** And yet...** 
     1. Studies show that 90% of companies do not track their total printing costs.
3. ** So, what can you do?** 
     1. Companies could save 10%-30% on their printing costs if they effectively managed their print environment.
4. **Understand all expenses that affect print costs** 
     1. For an accurate snapshot of your total print costs, all of the following must be included in your calculation: 
            1. Equipment: Cost of acquisition – purchase price, lease, or cost per page agreement
            2. Fix Rates: Employee time spent to fix equipment, order supplies, schedule maintenance, etc.
            3. Supplies: Reoccurring expense that includes: toner, paper, and other print related supplies
            4. Service: Monthly service agreements or one-time maintenance charges
            5. Lifecycle: Device depreciation, plus the availability of new technology
5. **Calculate your cost-per-print** 
     1. Calculating this will provide a snapshot of how much it costs you to print on each device.
6. **Analyze the results** 
     1. By collecting all print-related cost data, you’ll have a general understanding of how much your company spends on printing – on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis.

**\[You Might Also Like: Blog Article - ["True Cost of Printing and Why You Should Care About Managed Print Services"](https://blog.totalprosource.com/true-cost-of-printing-and-why-you-should-care-about-managed-print-services)\]**

Calculating your print costs will help you have a better understanding of how much your print   
environment is costing your business. By exposing your printing costs, you can begin working towards a plan to reduce overall printing spend and a healthier bottom line.

Interested in reducing print costs? Let our experts help. Contact us today at 888.698.0763.

[View full post](https://blog.totalprosource.com/how-to-calculate-print-costs)

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