Should Schools Buy or Rent Their Printers? Here’s the Smart Answer

We get asked this every week:

“Should we buy the printer outright, or go with a rental?”

And here’s the honest answer:
It depends.

Because while buying might seem cheaper upfront, the long-term cost, support, and flexibility often tell a different story — especially in busy schools.

So let’s break it down.

Buying a Printer for School: When It Makes Sense

✅ You’ve got cash upfront
✅ You know exactly what you need
✅ You’re comfortable managing servicing & support
✅ You’re running low volumes or very simple workloads

In these cases, buying outright (especially on smaller machines) might actually make sense. And yes — at Syntelo, we support outright sales with optional service contracts. No pressure. Just transparency.

Renting a Printer: The Real Value for Schools

Now here’s where things start to shine — especially for larger schools or those with growing demands.

Here’s what you get with a rental:

• Zero upfront capital — Cash stays in your budget
• Support & service included — We handle the callouts, toner, repairs
• Upgrade flexibility — Tech changes, needs change — so should your machine
• Predictable monthly costs — Budgeting becomes easier than ever
• Toner and part replacements — Often bundled in

Schools across KZN, Joburg, and Cape Town are choosing rental for one simple reason: it works.

What About Hybrid?

Some schools buy their admin printer outright but rent a Riso or Duplo production unit for the bulk stuff.
It’s a smart split — control + capability.

True Story: What a Durban College Did

They were ready to buy. Cash in hand.

But after we showed them their expected print volume, toner costs, and service call trends, the rental made more sense long-term.

"We’d never considered that buying would lock us into a machine we’d outgrow."
– College IT Manager, Durban

Now they’ve got a Duplo for production, an Olivetti MFP in admin, and a full PaperCut setup. All rented. All supported.

Syntelo Keeps It Straight

We’re an authorised Olivetti South Africa and Riso dealer, and we work with schools of all sizes — from tiny rural campuses to major urban colleges.

We’ll show you both options:

• If buying makes sense, we’ll say so.
• If renting saves you more in the long run, we’ll build the right deal.

No fluff. No pushy sales. Just what works for your school.

Let’s Find Your Oh Moment

Whether it’s renting a Duplo, buying a compact MFP, or mixing both — we’ll help you make the smart call.

It’s not just about the printer. It’s about making printing work for your school, your teachers, and your budget.

Lets get in Touch