Total Cost of Ownership in Printing Ink

“How much does it cost to print a design proofer?

A simple question printers ask when evaluating printing presses. the points of answer can come from many different point of views.

Once we start having the cost discussion with sales and team partners and their customers, the conversation usually gets very specific :

1. How much does the ink cost?
2. How much do Paper cost?
3. What other costs are there like Top Coating, folding, binding, etc.?

Recently, when doing a cost comparison, a printer was presented with a proposal that was Ink price and Ink Parameters included. such as, proper type on ink for specific job on specific substrate / material. How was performance of ink on press (based on historical job monitoring), how was supplier services so far, after sale service, complaint management. and so on, and so on.

Click cost, means charges associated with maintenance and support, actual print/copies made, and supplies (excluding staples and paper).

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the result of the purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation. Considering the the whole lifecycle of the product TCO shows you how much the end result really costs.

For example, let’s suppose you are choosing between two Ink for your Projects: Ink A and Ink B.

Ink A Cost: $5 (per kg)

Ink B Cost: $2 (per kg)

Judging by this alone, Ink B seems more attractive. However, once you start considering the different TCO-influencing variables, you realize that the actual costs on the 1st year are the following:

Company buy for 100 kg Ink

Ink A Cost: $500 (cost for ink) + $100 (Operating Cost)

Ink B Cost: $200 (cost for ink) + $500 (Operating Cost)

This means that on the 1st year alone, Printer A can provide up to $100 in savings!

Operating cost could be related on ink performance during printing, less problems, quick setting on printing, better ink mileage, certified on environmental concern, etc.

Have a nice days !