The cost of normal copiers usually depends on the type, volume, and features. Entry-level office copiers start around $500, mid-volume office machines range from $3,000 to $8,000, and high-volume commercial copiers can exceed $10,000. With that being said, there are still some things you may have to consider besides the price tag. 

Beyond the sticker price, total cost includes toner, maintenance, and potential downtime. In this article, let;s dive into understanding all of these factors to help you pick a copier that fits your business needs and budget.

Average Copier Cost by Business Size

Listed below are the average copier costs and we took into consideration the features you would need as business. Of course, it varies per brand, but the range is typically the same.

1. Entry-Level Office Copiers

This usually fits best for small offices printing under 3,000 pages per month. Typical purchase price is usually around $500 to $1,500. 

Common brands include:

• Kyocera ECOSYS series
• Canon imageCLASS models
• Brother MFC series
• Epson EcoTank Pro line

These machines are compact and affordable but not designed for heavy daily use but great for when you are running a smaller office that won’t need much printing. 

2. Mid-Volume Office Copiers

If you find yourself printing at least 5,000 to 15,000 pages per month, you may want to consider heavier duty printers. Typical purchase price would be around $3,000 to $8,000.

Common models include:

• Xerox VersaLink series
• Konica Minolta bizhub series
• Kyocera TASKalfa models

These are the most common machines leased by small and mid-sized businesses. This is essential since these models would offer features you would need as a growing business such as:

• Color printing
• Network scanning
• Secure print release
• Cloud integration
• Higher paper capacity

For most businesses, this is the sweet spot! These models would have more features that modern businesses would really need.

3. High-Volume Commercial Copiers

If your business is in need of  printers that can not only handle large volumes of print, but they also need speed, maybe you would need more features included in your copier. These are designed for offices printing 20,000 pages or more per month.

Typical purchase price: $10,000 to $25,000+

These machines are built for multi department teams, legal offices, medical practices, and corporate environments.

They often include:

• Advanced finishing options
• Stapling and booklet making
• High-speed scanning
• Enhanced security protocols
• Larger duty cycles

What Impacts Copier Pricing?

Several factors determine how much a copier costs. Understanding these variables helps you avoid overpaying for features you do not need, while ensuring your machine can handle your business workload.

1. Print Speed

Print speed is measured in pages per minute. Entry level machines may print 25 to 35 pages per minute, while mid volume office copiers often range from 35 to 60 pages per minute. High volume commercial units can exceed 70 pages per minute.

The faster the copier, the more powerful the internal components and processing capability, which increases cost. For busy offices with multiple employees printing at once, higher speed reduces bottlenecks and improves workflow efficiency.

2. Monthly Duty Cycle

The duty cycle refers to the maximum number of pages a copier is designed to handle per month. A small office copier may be rated for 10,000 pages per month, while a mid size A3 machine may support 80,000 pages or more.

Machines built for heavier workloads have stronger internal parts, larger paper capacity, and higher durability components. That engineering adds to the purchase price but prevents breakdowns in high demand environments.

3. Color Capability

Color copiers cost more than black and white models because they require additional toner cartridges, imaging components, and more complex calibration systems.

If your business primarily prints invoices and internal documents, a monochrome machine may be sufficient. However, businesses that produce marketing materials, presentations, or client facing documents often justify the higher investment in color capability.

4. Paper Size and Finishing Options

A4 only machines are typically less expensive than A3 capable copiers. A3 models can print larger documents, booklets, and folded materials, which is important for industries such as real estate, architecture, and education.

Optional finishing features such as stapling, hole punching, booklet making, and additional trays also increase overall pricing.

5. Security and Connectivity Features

Modern copiers now function as networked office hubs. 

Security features include:

• User authentication
• Encrypted hard drives
• Secure print release
• Cloud storage integration
• Remote device monitoring
  
  

These features would add a lot of value but also increase cost. For businesses handling sensitive client data, healthcare information, or financial records, these features are often essential rather than optional.

Leasing vs Buying: What Makes More Sense?

Let’s talk about leasing. For small to mid-sized businesses, leasing often makes more financial sense. There’s many more to unpack in this section but here is the overview on what you should expect when buying or leasing.

Buying

Best for:

• Very low volume offices
• Businesses with excess capital
• Companies that plan to use the machine long-term

Leasing

Best for:

• Growing businesses
• Companies that need predictable monthly costs
• Teams that want upgrades every three to five years

Leasing typically includes:

• Service coverage
• Maintenance
• Parts replacement
• Predictable monthly budgeting

Let’s put it this way: instead of spending a huge amount upfront, you may pay $150 per month and preserve cash flow.

Common Brands and What You Can Expect to Pay

While Kyocera is often known for durability and long life components, pricing across major brands is fairly comparable within each volume category.

Other common manufacturers include:

• HP
• Lexmark
• Sharp
• Ricoh

A mid volume A3 color copier from any major manufacturer typically falls between $4,000 and $8,000 to purchase, or $120 to $300 per month to lease depending on term length and service agreement.

The difference usually comes down to service quality, supply contracts, and dealer support rather than dramatic price gaps.

Industry Trends Affecting Copier Pricing

Small and mid-sized businesses are seeing several shifts:

• Increased demand for cloud integration
• Greater emphasis on data security
• Rising supply chain costs for parts
• More businesses are choosing service based agreements instead of ownership

Many companies are moving away from owning equipment and toward structured service agreements that bundle hardware, supplies, and support into one predictable monthly payment.

Managed Print Services and How It Reduces Cost

Managed print services, often called MPS, shift copier management from reactive to proactive.

Instead of buying a copier and managing toner, service calls, and maintenance yourself, MPS provides:

• Automatic toner replenishment
• Remote monitoring
• Predictable cost per page pricing
• Consolidated billing
• Reduced device waste
• Usage reporting and optimization

For small and mid-sized businesses, this approach reduces surprise expenses and eliminates downtime risk.

Rather than focusing only on the copier price, you focus on cost per page and total operational efficiency.

Explore Professional Copier Solutions with eCopier Solutions

Understanding how much a copier costs is only the first step. Choosing the right equipment, structuring the right lease, and ensuring long term service support is what truly protects your investment.

At eCopier Solutions, we help small and mid sized businesses:

• Select the right copier based on real monthly volume
• Structure affordable leasing plans with predictable payments
• Implement managed print services to reduce overall operating costs
• Receive ongoing maintenance and priority service support
• Upgrade equipment every three to five years without major capital expense

Instead of focusing only on purchase price, our approach centers on total cost efficiency, uptime reliability, and scalable growth.

If your business is evaluating copier leasing, upgrading outdated equipment, or looking to reduce print related expenses, contact us and see how we can support your long term operations.

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