Managed Print Services FAQs

How do Managed Print Services work?

Every managed print agreement begins with a complimentary print assessment. We evaluate your existing equipment, monthly print volume, locations, and business goals before designing a customized solution. Once your agreement begins, we handle toner, maintenance, repairs, supplies, and ongoing support so your team can focus on running the business.

Who benefits from Managed Print Services?

Managed Print Services are ideal for organizations that print regularly and want predictable costs. We commonly work with accounting firms, schools, manufacturers, healthcare organizations, municipalities, law firms, nonprofits, logistics companies, and professional offices throughout the Chicago area.

Is Managed Print right for every business?

Not always. Businesses with very low print volumes may benefit more from a traditional printer service contract. During your assessment, we'll recommend the option that makes the most financial sense—even if that means Managed Print isn't the right fit.

What's included in your Managed Print Services?

Your cost-per-page agreement includes:

• Toner
• Maintenance
• Labor
• Replacement parts
• Emergency service calls
• Preventive maintenance
• Fleet recommendations
• Ongoing support

Paper is the only item not included.

How much do Managed Print Services cost?

Pricing depends on your equipment, monthly print volume, and printing habits. Black-and-white printing typically starts around 1¢ per page, while color printing starts around 5¢ per page. Every proposal is customized to your environment.

Why do you charge by the page?

Cost-per-page pricing makes budgeting simple. Instead of paying for toner one month and an expensive repair the next, you pay only for what you print.

Are there hidden fees?

No. Your agreement includes toner, labor, service, maintenance, and replacement parts. There are no surprise repair invoices.

Do I have to buy paper from Midwest Laser Specialists?

No. Customers supply their own paper.

Can you manage printers you didn't sell?

Yes. We regularly place existing printers under Managed Print agreements, provided they're compatible with our program.

What printer brands do you support?

We support:

• HP
• Canon
• Brother
• Xerox
• Ricoh
• Kyocera
• Epson
• Lexmark

We also support mixed printer fleets.

Do I need to replace my existing printers?

Not necessarily. During your assessment, we'll determine whether your current equipment is still the best solution or if replacing certain devices would reduce costs.

Can you support multiple office locations?

Yes. We customize agreements for organizations with one location or multiple facilities throughout the Chicagoland area.

How quickly can you respond?

Our average response time is one business day. If your business is completely down, we always try to provide same-day service whenever possible.

Do you offer emergency service?

Yes. Emergency service is included with Managed Print agreements.

How often do technicians perform maintenance?

We recommend preventive maintenance every six months. High-volume environments may require more frequent visits.

What happens during preventive maintenance?

Our technicians inspect:

• Feed rollers
• Separation pads
• Fusers
• Transfer belts
• Solenoids

We also clean excess toner from the machine and identify parts showing signs of wear before they fail.

Why is preventive maintenance important?

Preventive maintenance can prevent several days of downtime and significantly reduce emergency repairs by identifying worn components before they fail.

Is toner included?

Yes. Toner is included with every Managed Print agreement.

How do I receive toner?

Backup toner cartridges are shipped to your business. When you install the backup cartridge, simply let us know and we'll send another one so you're always prepared.

What happens if we unexpectedly run out of toner?

We'll ship replacement toner immediately. Our goal is to minimize downtime and keep your office productive.

Do you monitor toner remotely?

We can, but many customers prefer simply notifying us when their backup cartridge is installed. This approach also avoids giving outside companies unnecessary access to your network.

How long are your contracts?

Our standard agreements are one year, followed by month-to-month service.

Can I cancel?

Yes. After the first year, customers may cancel at any time.

Why don't you require long-term contracts?

We believe great service keeps customers—not lengthy contracts.

Why choose a local Managed Print provider instead of a national company?

With Midwest Laser Specialists:

• You'll know who's coming to your office.
• You'll talk to a real person—not a call center.
• Agreements are customized instead of standardized.
• We support your existing equipment whenever possible.
• We respond faster because we're local.

Do I have to call a national support center?

No. When you call Midwest Laser Specialists, you'll speak with someone who knows your account.

Do you outsource service?

No. Our technicians serve businesses throughout Chicagoland directly.

Can you evaluate my current printer fleet?

Absolutely. We'll review your equipment, print volume, locations, and workflows before making recommendations.

What information do you collect?

We primarily evaluate print usage to determine the most cost-effective solution.

How do you decide whether equipment should be repaired or replaced?

We consider:

• Age
• Repair cost
• Reliability
• Print volume
• Overall value

Sometimes repairing a printer makes perfect sense. Other times, replacement is the better long-term investment.

Can you help secure office printers?

Yes. We help customers maintain current firmware, update default administrator credentials, and properly retire equipment when it's taken out of service.

Do you erase printer hard drives?

Yes. Any hard drives removed from retired equipment are destroyed.

Why choose Midwest Laser Specialists?

Because you're not just another account number. You'll receive enterprise-level Managed Print Services backed by local technicians, personalized service, transparent pricing, and a team that knows your business.