Paper jams
Open all access panels and gently remove paper in its direction of travel. Check for torn scraps. Frequent jams? Clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth.
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Help & Advice
Honest answers, before you spend a penny.
Choosing the right printer, spotting hidden costs, fixing the common faults and keeping your machines healthy — the advice we give customers every day, written down. No hard sell.
Printer selection
Choosing the right printer
What looks like a bargain in store can prove costly over time — we all know the story of the ink costing more than the printer. Constantly replacing cartridges or spending a fortune on consumables? Those are tell-tale signs the machine doesn't match the job.
Five things to weigh up before you buy:
Print volume — how many pages per month? Under 500 suits an inkjet; over 1,000 and you'll want a laser.
Colour vs mono — mainly documents and invoices? A mono laser will save you a fortune over a colour model.
Duplex printing — automatic double-sided halves your paper use. Worth having as standard.
Connectivity — Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, mobile printing? Think about how your team actually reaches the machine.
Cost per page — the metric that matters most. We calculate it for you as part of a free print audit.
Quick fixes
Common print issues
Printers fail when you need them most. Some faults fix in seconds — here's what to try before you call us.
Faded print
Usually low toner or ink. Remove the cartridge and gently rock it side to side to redistribute what's left — then order a replacement before it dies mid-job.
Lines or streaks
Lines down the page point to a scratched drum or debris on the printhead. Run the built-in cleaning cycle first — if they persist, the drum likely needs replacing.
Smudging & marks
Toner smudging on the page often means the fuser — the part that bakes toner on — is reaching end of life. We can supply and fit a replacement on site.
Flashing lights
Error lights vary by manufacturer. Check the manual for the pattern — or call us on {{ phone }}; we can usually identify the fault over the phone.
Colour issues
Wrong colours? Run a calibration or alignment page from the printer's menu. One colour missing entirely usually means that cartridge needs replacing.
Can't fix it?
Print defects and flashing lights are our bread and butter — we can often diagnose the problem over the phone, and an engineer is with you within 24 hours if not.
Prevent problems
Printer maintenance guide
Regular care is the cheapest repair there is. A well-maintained laser printer can last 5–10 years in a typical office — here's the schedule we recommend.
Extending your printer's life
We fit replacement parts and run annual services at rates well below a manufacturer's call-out — parts tested before we leave.
Get a servicing quote
Weekly
Wipe exteriors and paper trays to keep dust out of the machine; fan paper before loading to prevent jams.
Monthly
Run the built-in cleaning cycle from the maintenance menu; check toner and ink levels and reorder before they run dry.
Quarterly
Carefully clear loose toner and paper dust from inside the machine; inspect rollers for wear and clean with a lightly dampened lint-free cloth.
Annually
Book a professional service — fuser, transfer belt, drum condition and overall health — and update firmware for security and performance.
Save money
Reducing your print costs
Most businesses pay more for printing than they need to. Six practical steps you can take today:
Switch to compatible cartridges — save 30–50% on every cartridge with no drop in quality.
Enable duplex as default — cut paper costs in half overnight.
Use draft mode internally — far less ink and toner per page for documents nobody keeps.
Right-size the machine — an A3 colour laser printing A4 mono invoices is burning money.
Consolidate the fleet — one good multifunction device often beats five idle desktop printers on cost and energy.
Consider managed print — consumables, maintenance and monitoring handled, one predictable bill. How it works →
The warning signs
Constantly replacing cartridges? Paying more than 3p per mono page or 10p per colour? Printers sitting idle most of the day? You're probably overspending — a free audit will tell you by how much.
Got questions?
Advice, answered.
How do I know if my printer is right for my business?
The key metric is cost per page. Paying more than roughly 3p per mono page or 10p per colour? Your setup likely isn't optimised. Our free print audit assesses your volumes, costs and hardware and recommends the most cost-effective solution.
Do compatible cartridges void my printer warranty?
No. Under UK consumer law, using compatible or third-party cartridges does not void your warranty — manufacturers can't require their own brand consumables as a condition of cover.
How often should I clean my printer?
Weekly exterior wipe-downs, monthly cleaning cycles from the printer's menu, quarterly internal dusting, and an annual professional service. That schedule can add years to a machine's life.
What should I do when my printer shows an error code?
Turn it off and on first — that clears many temporary errors. If it persists, check the manual for the code, or call us on {{ phone }} — we can usually identify the fault over the phone.
What's a print audit and how does it work?
We assess your devices, volumes and consumable spend, show you exactly where the money goes, and quote one simple monthly figure. Free, no obligation — most offices we audit cut print costs by up to 30%.
Can you help with machines you didn't supply?
Absolutely — if it's a Konica Minolta or a Ricoh. We repair, service and supply consumables for both regardless of where the machine came from, with no obligation to buy hardware from us.