What Is Cost Per Copy?
Cost Per Copy (CPC)—sometimes called Cost Per Page or Click Charge—is the amount you pay for each page printed or copied. It covers toner, maintenance, and parts.
CPC is separate from your lease payment. A £60/month lease plus 0.5p mono CPC and 4p colour CPC means your total monthly bill depends on how much you print.
Understanding CPC rates is crucial because small differences compound dramatically over a contract term.
2026 UK Average CPC Rates
Based on analysis of pricing from 1,000+ suppliers across the UK:
A4 Mono (Black & White)
| Tier | Rate | Who Pays This |
| Competitive | 0.3p-0.4p | High-volume contracts, good negotiators |
| Average | 0.5p-0.6p | Most SME contracts |
| High | 0.7p-1.0p | Low-volume contracts, poor deals |
A4 Colour
| Tier | Rate | Who Pays This |
| Competitive | 2.5p-3.2p | High-volume contracts, good negotiators |
| Average | 3.5p-4.5p | Most SME contracts |
| High | 5p-7p | Low-volume contracts, poor deals |
A3 Rates
A3 pages are typically charged at 2× the A4 rate. So 0.5p A4 mono = 1p A3 mono.
What Affects Your CPC Rate?
1. Monthly Volume
Higher volumes = lower rates. A business printing 20,000 pages/month gets better rates than one printing 2,000.
| Monthly Volume | Typical Mono CPC |
| Under 2,000 | 0.7p-1.0p |
| 2,000-5,000 | 0.5p-0.7p |
| 5,000-10,000 | 0.4p-0.6p |
| 10,000-20,000 | 0.35p-0.5p |
| Over 20,000 | 0.3p-0.4p |
2. Colour Ratio
If you print mostly colour, suppliers may lower colour CPC but increase mono rates (or vice versa). Check your actual print mix.
3. Machine Type
Higher-end machines often come with lower CPC rates because they're more efficient and reliable.
4. Contract Length
Longer contracts (5 years vs 3 years) usually get better CPC rates. But you're locked in longer.
5. Negotiation
CPC rates have more margin than lease payments. Suppliers expect negotiation. Don't accept first-quoted rates.
The Real Cost Impact
Let's see how CPC differences affect total cost for a business printing 8,000 pages/month (50% mono, 50% colour):
Scenario A: Good Rates
- Mono: 4,000 × 0.4p = £16
- Colour: 4,000 × 3.2p = £128
- Monthly CPC: £144
- Annual: £1,728
Scenario B: Average Rates
- Mono: 4,000 × 0.6p = £24
- Colour: 4,000 × 4.5p = £180
- Monthly CPC: £204
- Annual: £2,448
Scenario C: Poor Rates
- Mono: 4,000 × 0.8p = £32
- Colour: 4,000 × 5.5p = £220
- Monthly CPC: £252
- Annual: £3,024
That's enough to lease a second machine.
Red Flags in CPC Contracts
Minimum Volume Charges
"Minimum 5,000 pages/month at quoted CPC rate." If you print less, you pay for 5,000 anyway. Fine if you consistently hit the minimum; expensive if you don't.
Excess Rates
What happens if you exceed your allowance? Some contracts charge 50-100% more per page over the limit. Get this in writing.
Colour Definition
Is "colour" any page with any colour, or only pages that are predominantly colour? A page with a small logo might be charged as colour. Check the terms.
Excluded Items
Some contracts exclude staples, waste containers, or drum units. These "extras" add up.
Annual Increases
Many contracts allow CPC increases tied to inflation. A 3% annual increase on 4p colour becomes 4.64p by year 5.
How to Negotiate Better CPC Rates
Benchmarking Your Current Contract
If you have an existing copier contract, check your invoices for CPC rates. Compare against our averages:
| Your Rate | vs Average | Action |
| Below average | Good deal | Keep it, negotiate same at renewal |
| Average | Acceptable | Room for improvement at renewal |
| Above average | Overpaying | Get competitive quotes now |
Even mid-contract, knowing you're overpaying helps you plan for renewal and avoid auto-renewal traps.
Get Competitive CPC Quotes
Want to see what suppliers in your area are charging? Our free quote comparison shows CPC rates alongside lease costs—so you can compare total cost of ownership.
Compare CPC rates from local suppliers →Need help choosing the right solution?
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