Duty Cycle and Recommended Monthly Volume are both very important when it comes to the proper use of your printer.
Duty Cycle – is the maximum number of prints per month.
Recommended Monthly Volume (RMV) – number of prints you can safely make per month.
Though a printer’s duty cycle is the “maximum number of prints per month,” it is not recommended to make that many prints per month. This is where the RMV comes in, printing the RMV each month will ensure that your printer runs smoothly and efficiently throughout its lifetime. Printing the maximum amount of prints each month will increase maintenance needs, which can become costly, and reduce the lifespan of your printer.
70% of printer issues arise from exceeding the RMV, so it should always be followed.
To determine the number of prints you are making per month there are a few different methods to choose from:
1. Check your current printing bill
If you are partnered with a technology vender, your monthly bill will also tell you the number of prints per month.
2. Check meter reads
Meter reads are the total number of impressions, prints, and copies made in the machine’s lifetime. It can be found in the machine’s settings or within a printed report; divide your meter reads by the number of months used and determine your average monthly use.
3. Check paper usage
Tracking the amount of paper used throughout the month is the least accurate way to determine your average number of prints per month, but it will give you a rough estimate.