Common Printing Mistakes That Are Costing Your Business (Without You Even Realising)

When most people think about business costs, they look at rent, staff, and maybe IT. But what about printing?

For many Central West NSW businesses, office printing is a hidden drain. It’s not just about how much you print – it’s how you manage it. And the truth is, small printing mistakes can quietly rack up hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.

Here are some of the most common printing problems we see in the field, and what you can do about them.

1. Using the Wrong Printer for the Job

That desktop inkjet from the big-box store might have seemed like a bargain, but if it’s doing 500+ pages a week, you’re probably overspending. Desktop printers are often slower, less reliable, and more expensive to run per page.

Fix it: Make sure your devices match your usage. High-volume teams need high-capacity machines. A quick review can help you consolidate devices and save money.

2. Wasting Time and Money on Manual Supply Orders

If your team waits until the toner runs out before ordering more, or sends someone across town to grab emergency stock – you’re burning time and money.

Fix it: Consider automated toner supply or set reorder points in advance. Select Digital clients enjoy flexible options that take the stress out of restocking.

3. Leaving Sensitive Documents on the Tray

Not only is this a privacy risk, especially in healthcare, finance, or legal environments – but it also leads to reprints, misfiled documents, and frustrated staff.

Fix it: Enable secure print release on your networked devices. This means users authenticate at the machine before their print job is released, improving both confidentiality and accuracy.

4. Hanging Onto Outdated Machines

Older printers might still “work,” but they could be costing you more than you think, through higher power usage, expensive consumables, slower speeds, and more frequent breakdowns.

Fix it: Don’t wait until your printer dies. A performance review can highlight which machines are costing you more than they’re worth, even if they’re still technically operational.

Ready to Take Control of Your Office Printing?

Even if you’re not ready to upgrade your hardware, small changes in your printing habits and setup can deliver big savings.

Select Digital works with businesses across Central West NSW to help reduce waste, improve security, and streamline daily operations, all without overcomplicating things.Book a free print audit today and let’s uncover where your business could be saving.

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