How to Calculate Printing Cost Per Page

Whether you manage a small office or just print documents at home, knowing the real cost per printed page helps you compare consumable prices effectively and make the right purchasing decisions.
Accurate calculation of the cost per page (CPP) is essential for reducing overall printing expenses.

Key Concepts of Printing Cost Per Page

Before we move on to the calculations, let’s define some basic terms:

● Cost Per Page (CPP): The total cost required to print a single page, considering ink or toner, printer depreciation, and maintenance expenses.
● Page Yield: The number of pages a cartridge or toner can print before it runs out, usually based on 5% coverage per page.
● Consumable Cost: The purchase price of ink or toner divided by its page yield.
● Page Coverage: The percentage of the page covered with print; the higher the coverage, the higher the CPP.

Factors Affecting the Cost Per Printed Page

Several factors influence the final CPP:

1. Consumable costs (ink and toner)

2. Printer depreciation

3. Energy consumption

4. Maintenance and wear

5. Type of printing (color or black-and-white)

Consumable Costs

The main component of the CPP is the price of cartridges or toners.
Formula:
CPP = Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield
For example, a compatible toner costing €60 with a 2,000-page yield has a CPP of €0.03 per page.

Printer Depreciation

The printer’s purchase cost is distributed across its expected lifetime page output.
For instance, if a €200 printer prints 50,000 pages, depreciation adds €0.004 per page to your cost.

Energy and Maintenance Costs

Electricity usage and periodic maintenance (cleaning kits, servicing) slightly increase the CPP.
Estimate €0.001–€0.003 per page, depending on the printer type.

Comparing Consumables and Cost Per Page

To make the best decision, compare:

1. Inkjet vs. Laser cost per page

2. Original vs. compatible consumables

Inkjet vs. Laser Printers

● Inkjet: Lower initial cost, but higher CPP — especially for high-volume printing.
● Laser: Higher upfront investment, but lower CPP and higher page yields.

Original vs. Compatible Consumables

● Original: Guaranteed quality, minimal risk of damage, but higher CPP.
● Compatible: Up to 50% lower CPP, though quality may vary and warranties could be affected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the cost per printed page include?

Consumables, printer depreciation, electricity usage, and maintenance.

How do you calculate color vs. monochrome CPP?

For color prints, sum up the costs of all color cartridges and divide by the lowest page yield.

How can I reduce my printing CPP?

Choose a laser printer, use high-yield compatible consumables, and optimize print settings.

What is page yield and how does it affect CPP?

It’s the number of pages you can print per cartridge — the higher the yield, the lower the CPP.

Does print quality affect CPP?

Yes. Higher resolution and saturation increase page coverage, raising the cost per page.

Accurately calculating your cost per printed page lets you compare consumables efficiently and choose the most economical solution.

At PrintKing, you’ll find original and compatible inks and toners at competitive prices. Visit our e-shop today and reduce your printing costs instantly!