Riso & Duplo vs Traditional Copiers — What Schools Should Know

You know those mornings when you just need to print 500 double-sided exam papers and get out the door?

That’s not the time you want your office copier to do its famous “I’m jamming again” routine.

The reality is, schools print a lot. And not just a lot — they print fast, often under pressure, and always on a budget. So it makes sense that more schools across Ballito, Durban, Joburg, and Cape Town are moving away from traditional copiers and shifting toward Riso and Duplo production units.

Let’s break down why.

Not All Copiers Are Built for Schools

Most traditional office copiers are designed for business environments — a few invoices here, a proposal there. But schools? You’ve got newsletters, class packs, exam sheets, admin docs, board minutes… all due yesterday.

Traditional laser copiers:

• Slow down when pushed beyond volume limits
• Burn through toner (expensive!)
• Need regular service to keep up
• Often cost more long-term, even if the initial price is lower

Enter Riso & Duplo: The Volume Champs

Think of Riso and Duplo as the marathon runners of school printing — built for speed, volume, and cost-efficiency.

They’re perfect for:

• Worksheets and exams in bulk
• Newsletters and announcements
• Notices, circulars, and even basic books

And the best part?

✅ Super low cost per page
✅ High-speed output (we’re talking hundreds per minute)
✅ Less moving parts = fewer breakdowns
✅ Environmentally friendly ink options

This is the kind of machine that wants to be pushed. That’s why we call them production units — because they just produce.

So Which One’s Right for Your School?

Here’s a super simple rule of thumb:

If You Need...	Then You Want...
High-speed black & white worksheets	Riso
Colour at speed & booklets	Duplo
A budget-friendly bulk solution	Either one — depends on your volume & goals

At Syntelo, we’re authorised dealers for both Riso and Olivetti South Africa, so we’re not just pushing one brand — we match the right setup to your actual needs.

What Schools Are Saying

“We moved our high-volume work to a Duplo and kept one Olivetti MFP for admin. That combo cut our costs in half — and nothing ever jams anymore.”
– Deputy Principal, Private High School, Durban

You don’t need to overhaul everything. You just need the right unit doing the right job.

Ready for Your Oh Moment?

If your current copier setup feels like a relic from 2008, it might be time to talk to us.

We’ll show you how a Riso or Duplo can fit into your school’s ecosystem — whether you rent, buy, or blend both.

Let’s rethink school printing. And save while we’re at it.