1-50 employees

Small Business Solutions

Small businesses need reliable, cost-effective copiers that are easy to use and maintain. Our recommended models provide enterprise features at small business prices, with flexible leasing options that preserve your capital.

500-10,000 pages/month
Typical Volume
20-45 ppm
Speed Range
$75 - $175/month
Lease Payment
6+
Top Models

Key Priorities for Small Business

What matters most when selecting a copier for your organization

Critical

Cost-Effectiveness

Affordable monthly payments with predictable costs and low total cost of ownership

Critical

Ease of Use

Intuitive interfaces that require minimal training and reduce support calls

High Priority

Mobile & Cloud

Print from smartphones, tablets, and cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox

High Priority

Scalability

Solutions that can grow with your business without requiring frequent upgrades

Important

Basic Security

Essential security features to protect sensitive business documents

Critical

Reliability

Dependable performance with minimal downtime and easy maintenance

Focus on What Matters Most

For small business organizations, focus on cost-effectiveness, ease of use, reliability as your primary selection criteria. Everything else can be evaluated based on your specific needs and budget.

Budget Planning Guide

Realistic costs and pricing expectations for small business copiers

Purchase Price
$1,500 - $5,000
One-time investment
Lease Payment
$75 - $175/month
Most Popular Option
Total Monthly
$100-200 including toner and service
Including supplies & service

Total Cost of Ownership Factors

Don't just look at the device price. Here's what to include in your budget:

Lease payments typically include maintenance and repairs
Factor in toner costs: $50-150/month depending on volume
Consider cost-per-copy agreements for predictable budgeting
Cloud storage subscriptions may be needed ($10-30/month)
Plan for paper costs: $30-50/month for typical usage

Should You Lease or Buy?

Most small businesses lease to preserve capital and include maintenance. Buying may make sense if you have strong cash flow and plan to keep the device 5+ years.

Use Our Lease vs Buy Calculator
LEASING
  • Lower monthly payments
  • Includes maintenance
  • Easier upgrades
  • Tax benefits
BUYING
  • Lower total cost long-term
  • Asset ownership
  • No contract commitments
  • Depreciation benefits

Feature Priorities

What features to focus on (and what to skip) for small business organizations

Must Have

Essential features

Print, copy, scan, fax (all-in-one MFP)
Network connectivity (Ethernet/Wi-Fi)
Mobile printing (AirPrint, Mopria, manufacturer apps)
Automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning
Duplex printing (automatic two-sided)
Scan-to-email and scan-to-folder
Basic user authentication
Standard warranty and service agreement

Nice to Have

Valuable additions

Cloud integration (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)
Touchscreen color display
Expandable paper capacity
Finishing options (stapling)
Advanced scanning features (OCR, PDF editing)
Remote monitoring and management
Energy-saving modes
Quiet operation for small offices

Skip These

Usually not worth it

Production-level speed (70+ ppm)
High-capacity finishers
Advanced workflow automation
Multi-site fleet management
Enterprise integration (SAP, Oracle)
Professional color calibration
Booklet making and trimming
Large-format printing
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Pro Tip

Focus your budget on the "Must Have" features. The "Nice to Have" features can often be added later as upgrades or through software updates. Avoid paying for features in the "Skip These" category unless you have a specific, documented need.

Common Challenges & Solutions

Issues small businesses face and how to solve them

Challenges

  • •Limited IT resources and technical expertise
  • •Tight budgets with unpredictable cash flow
  • •Need for multiple functions in one device (print, scan, copy, fax)
  • •Remote work and mobile printing requirements
  • •Concerns about being oversold on unnecessary features
  • •Difficulty comparing options and negotiating with dealers

Solutions

  • ✓Lease instead of buying to preserve capital and include maintenance
  • ✓Choose all-in-one MFPs to consolidate multiple devices
  • ✓Look for models with mobile printing and cloud integration
  • ✓Select dealers who offer flat-rate service contracts
  • ✓Start with mid-range models that offer room to grow
  • ✓Use CopierGuide to compare quotes from multiple dealers

Avoid These Common Mistakes

âš Buying instead of leasing and paying for expensive repairs
âš Choosing the cheapest option without considering reliability
âš Over-buying features you'll never use
âš Under-buying and outgrowing the copier too quickly
âš Ignoring mobile printing capabilities
âš Not negotiating service contracts
âš Forgetting to factor in toner and supply costs
âš Selecting based on brand alone without comparing models

Success Stories

Real results from small business organizations like yours

Law Firm

Challenge

8-person law firm needed reliable scanning and copying for case files without breaking the budget

Solution

Leased Canon imageRUNNER 2630i with scan-to-email and document management integration

Result

Reduced document processing time by 60% and saved $400/month vs. outsourcing

Real Estate

Challenge

Growing agency needed color printing for property listings and marketing materials

Solution

Selected Xerox VersaLink C405 with mobile printing for agents in the field

Result

Increased marketing quality and agent productivity, won 15% more listings

Accounting

Challenge

12-person accounting firm drowning in paper during tax season with unreliable printer

Solution

Upgraded to Brother MFC-L6900DW with high-capacity toner and duplex scanning

Result

Zero downtime during tax season, reduced paper costs by 40% with duplex printing

Ready to Find Your Perfect Copier?

Get personalized quotes from authorized dealers and find the best copier for your small business.