Campus and home printing-cost worksheet

Compare the same print job at campus and at home using prices you enter. Define the number of printed sides, colour requirements and finishing first, then record the per-side cost and any separate charges for each option. This keeps a simple black-and-white job from being compared with a different colour or bound output.

Use the campus service’s current tariff or quote and your own home-printing cost assumption. Keep the source and date beside each figure, especially where ink or toner usage is estimated. The calculation compares the stated job costs; it does not invent campus prices or include buying a new printer unless you explicitly add that cost.

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This tool does not save your entries automatically. Download a copy to keep your work, and clear the worksheet on a shared device before leaving. Do not enter passwords, account numbers or other sensitive personal information.

Define an identical print job

Count printed sides consistently. A sheet printed on both sides contributes two printed sides.

Document and purpose

Number of printed sides

Enter the total across all copies.

Paper size, colour or black-and-white, sidedness and finishing

Required completion date

Enter the two cost assumptions

Rates are pence per printed side. Other charges are GBP totals for the whole job.

Campus charge per printed side, pence

Use the current tariff for the exact job format.

Other campus job charges, GBP

Include required finishing or other charges once; enter 0 when none apply.

Assumed home cost per printed side, pence

Include the paper and consumables you intend to count; describe the basis below.

Other home job costs, GBP

Include any additional job costs you choose to count, without repeating per-side costs.

Record sources and scope

Keep quoted campus prices separate from estimated home consumables.

Institution and print service

Official source URL

Paste the exact source you checked; this worksheet does not check it for you.

Date checked

Relevant wording and conditions

Home printer, consumables, paper and calculation basis

Home cost source and date

Costs excluded from this comparison and practical differences

Using your worksheet

Use the same total printed-side count and output specification for both options.
Check whether the campus tariff already includes paper or finishing before adding extra charges.
Describe how the home rate was obtained and label it as estimated when appropriate.
Compare access, timing and output requirements separately from the calculated price.

Assumptions and limits

All campus and home-printing rates are supplied by the user.

A home variable-cost estimate is not a printer ownership-cost calculation.

No printing order, purchase or campus account action is submitted.