Kevin Bowden
Managing Director, Bowden Digitec
Walk into ten different offices and ask what that big machine in the corner is called. You'll get ten different answers. Photocopier. Copier. Printer. MFP. "The Konica." "That thing that jams."
The Short Answer
They're all the same machine. A modern business "photocopier" prints, copies, scans and usually faxes (yes, people still fax). The industry calls them MFPs (multifunction printers) or MFDs (multifunction devices). But nobody outside the industry actually says MFP. They say photocopier. Or copier.
Why This Matters When You're Looking for One
If you're searching online for a new machine, the term you use changes what results you get. "Photocopier leasing" tends to bring up business-focused suppliers. "Printer leasing" sometimes pulls in results for desktop printers. "MFP" gets you manufacturer spec sheets. "Copier" is somewhere in between.
Our advice: search for "photocopier leasing" if you want a floor-standing machine for an office. Search for "managed print services" if you want someone to handle everything. The machine, the toner, the maintenance, the lot.
What About "Managed Print"?
This is the one that confuses people most. Managed print doesn't mean we come and do your printing for you. It means we manage your print setup. We supply the copier, monitor it remotely, send toner before you run out, fix it when it breaks, and give you reporting on what you're spending. You press print. We handle everything else.
Some businesses hear "print services" and think we're a print shop, the kind of place you send a PDF and they print 500 brochures. That's not us. We supply, lease and maintain photocopiers. The "managed" bit means we look after the whole thing so you don't have to think about it.
What Should You Actually Ask For?
When you ring us (or anyone else), here's what's useful to know:
How many people will use it? This tells us what speed you need. Five people? 25ppm is fine. Thirty people? You probably want 45ppm or more.
How much do you print per month? Even a rough guess helps. We can usually pull this from your current machine's counter if you don't know.
Do you need colour? If 90% of your printing is black and white, a mono machine saves you a fortune in running costs.
Do you need A3? Most offices don't, but some (architects, schools, marketing agencies) absolutely do.
Do you want to lease or buy outright? Leasing spreads the cost and includes maintenance. Buying means you own it, but you'll need a separate service agreement.
Don't worry about knowing the exact model. That's our job. Tell us what you need it to do, and we'll work out which machine fits.
Need Advice on Your Print Setup?
We're happy to chat through your options. No obligation, no hard sell. Just honest advice from people who do this every day.
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