You are currently viewing 7 Common Mistakes People Make When Buying a Copier
  • Post last modified:November 14, 2025

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing a Copier

1. Buying the Wrong Size (Ignoring Growth)

When you know what you need to fit into your space now, it is essential to consider how much room in the future will be required and if this might change over time.

  • The Lesson: Copiers can be costly, and buying the wrong one for your needs may end up being an expensive lesson learned.

2. Not Taking Enough Measurements (Installation Planning)

A common mistake among those who buy without first measuring their workspace is ending up with too small or too large of a machine, which often throws off alignment problems. What is the point if you purchase a copier and can’t install it where you want?

  • Action: Before purchasing any machine, be sure to take measurements as well as think about how much time might be required to move other heavy equipment out of the way.

3. Buying Without Considering All Costs Involved

This includes printer ink cartridges, paper, maintenance visits, and toner replacements, among others which many people don’t factor into their calculations when deciding whether or not they should buy a particular machine. These ongoing costs are the true cost of ownership.

4. Copiers with No Fax Capability

Faxing has become an essential part of everyday business. Some machines do not allow users to send or receive faxes unless they are hooked up through a landline phone line, which many younger generations find inconvenient.

5. Copiers That Are Not Network-Enabled (Lacking Wireless)

If you don’t have a shared business network, then the copier will need to be hooked up through wires, which is difficult and time-consuming. Having a printer with wireless capability would allow people to easily print from any location in your building without needing an Ethernet cable plugged into each machine.

6. Ignoring the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)

If you need a copier for scanning documents only, make sure it has an automatic document feeder (ADF) that can scan up to 50 pages per minute and is OCR compatible. This feature is vital for quick, efficient document digitization.

7. Overlooking the Paper Tray Capacity

You must have at least one paper tray with the capacity to hold 250 sheets. Considering multiple paper trays is essential for managing different paper sizes (like legal or cardstock) without constantly swapping paper.

Tips in Choosing the Right Copier for You (Checklist)

FeatureKey Requirement to Check
Paper SizeChoose a copier that is compatible with standard paper sizes like legal, letter, and A size.
PerformanceBase your decision on the machine’s speed as well as its duty cycle (pages copied per minute).
FootprintDetermine whether you need a large or small footprint for space reasons.
Workstation SetupIf multiple people are in charge of copying from one office, consider buying different models, so everyone has their workstation to use instead of sharing just one.
FunctionConsider buying a printer/scanner combo if your needs are limited in either area so as not to buy two machines that will take up more room than necessary.

Conclusion

When buying a copier, don’t forget to keep common mistakes in mind. It’s essential to choose a machine compatible with paper sizes and has the right speed and duty cycle for your needs.

If you plan to get copiers for your office in Boston, you can opt to buy copiers or lease copiers in Boston. Boston Copier solutions provide the best value.

If you plan to get copiers for your office in Boston, you can buy copiers or lease copiers in Boston. We can give you options for getting the copy machine that you want. You can contact our local copier leasing services department in your location.

For all services in Boston, call Clear Choice Technical Services:

For dedicated Copier Repair Services in Boston, please visit our Repair Services Website for immediate assistance. Our network is powered by Clear Choice Technical Services.