What Is a Print Audit and Why Do You Need One? | RISO
Keeping costs under control while maintaining efficiency is more important than ever. According to Gartner, 90% of businesses (regardless of size) don’t know how much their printers cost each month. This is surprising, considering print is often the third-highest business expense behind rent and payroll, typically accounting for 1-3% of an organisation’s annual revenue. That’s where a print audit comes in. But what is a print audit exactly? Put simply, a print audit is a thorough assessment of an organisation’s printing habits, costs and overall efficiency.
Think of it as a health check for your printing setup. It involves analysing how your printers, copiers and other devices are being used, identifying hidden expenses and pinpointing areas where productivity could be improved. A print audit doesn’t just reveal what’s working and what’s not – it provides actionable insights that can help your organisation reduce expenditure and waste.
Why is a Print Audit Important?
Many organisations underestimate how much they spend on printing, including expenses like paper, ink, toner and energy consumption. A print audit digs into these details, revealing where money is being wasted. For example, you might discover that much of your budget is for unnecessary colour printing or excessive single-page jobs.
Outdated or poorly configured printers can slow down workflows, causing frustration for employees and delays in completing tasks. A print audit evaluates your equipment’s performance and identifies areas where upgrades or adjustments can improve efficiency.
Excessive printing, overuse of paper and inefficient devices contribute to a higher carbon footprint. By conducting a print audit, you can identify opportunities to adopt more eco-friendly practices, like using energy-efficient printers or reducing paper usage through better file management.
The Benefits of a Print Audit
Cost Savings
From excessive colour printing to inefficient use of supplies like ink and toner, hidden costs can quickly add up. A print audit helps identify wasteful practices and provides strategies to reduce expenses. For example, switching to more cost-effective devices or adjusting printing settings could significantly lower your monthly printing bills.
Increased Productivity
Outdated or misconfigured equipment can slow down day-to-day operations, leading to delays and frustration. A print audit evaluates your current setup and highlights areas where improvements can be made. By ensuring that printers and photocopiers are running efficiently and placed where they’re needed the most, workflows can be improved. The result? Employees spend less time dealing with printer issues and focusing more on what matters.
Sustainability
If your organisation is looking to reduce its environmental footprint, a print audit is a great first step. It identifies opportunities to cut back on paper usage, reduce energy consumption and minimise waste from consumables like cartridges and toners. By adopting eco-friendly printing practices, you can achieve your sustainability goals while also benefiting from cost savings.
Why Choose RISO for a Print Audit
At RISO, we understand that no two organisations are the same. That’s why our approach to print audits is tailored to meet your specific needs.
Our free print audits give you a detailed assessment of your current printing setup. We evaluate your equipment, printing speeds and cost implications, delivering an in-depth report highlighting areas for improvement and strengthening opportunities.
Our fleet of mobile showrooms is equipped with fully functional printers. We bring the demonstration directly to your doorstep at a convenient time so you can experience the benefits of RISO’s print audit firsthand.
Success Story: The Harmony Trust
The Harmony Trust, a multi-academy trust with 15 schools across the UK, is an excellent example of how our print audits deliver real value. The Trust faced challenges with managing printing costs, outdated equipment and the need for vibrant colour printing to support diverse student learning needs.
With RISO’s help:
- Costs were reduced: Our cost-effective solutions allowed the Trust to print over 600,000 colour copies annually without exceeding their budget
- Efficiency was improved: Printing speeds of up to 120 pages per minute saved valuable teaching time.
- ustainability goals were met: RISO’s eco-friendly printers helped reduce energy use, waste and emissions, aligning with the Trust’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
“RISO’s reliability and effective account management have become the Trust’s valued asset. Their fast, efficient and eco-conscious printers make them the perfect partner for our schools.”David Taylor, Head of ICT at Harmony Trust.
Conclusion
To get started with a free, no-obligation print audit or book a demonstration get in touch with us today: