What Goes Into the Cost Per Page

  • Toner: cartridge price ÷ actual yield.
  • Drum and other components: price ÷ their yield.
  • Paper.
  • Annual scheduled maintenance and repairs ÷ annual print volume.
  • Electricity — usually negligible, but noticeable in the production class.

The Main Trap — the Stated Yield

The manufacturer calculates yield at 5% page coverage — roughly a short letter. Real documents with tables run 10-15% coverage, meaning actual yield is two to three times lower than rated. Go by actual figures: how many pages really passed between one cartridge and the next.

A Sample Calculation

Cartridge 22,500 KZT, actual yield 3,000 pages — that's 7.50 KZT. Drum 30,000 KZT for 20,000 pages — plus 1.50 KZT. Paper 3.00 KZT. Maintenance 75,000 KZT a year at 60,000 pages — plus 1.25 KZT. Total 13.25 KZT per page, not the "7.50 printed on the box."

Why This Matters

Only with this figure can you honestly compare devices, choose between refilling and originals, and determine whether replacing your equipment fleet will pay off.