10 Tips to Help Moving A Printer or Photocopier Like a Pro
Are you relocating a commercial printer or photocopier? Here are 10 top tips to help make the process as smooth as possible! Our office movers at Déménagement Total know that moving a printer or photocopier can be tricky, but with these tips, you’ll be able to do it like a pro. Happy moving!
Getting Ready
Moving printers and photocopiers are challenging because they have so many moving parts. These heavy machines can weigh anywhere between 200 and 700 lbs. Take it from our commercial moving company, don’t let their bulky size fool you, they are as delicate as a flower on the inside.
Anyone who’s ever used one of these machines knows the sheer patience involved in trying to fix a paper jam. There are a lot of openings, turning parts, belts, rollers, switches, wires, lamps, and lenses. There are so many fragile parts that trying to move these huge machines requires great care and attention in order to avoid any damage.
So, you are not alone if you are feeling a bit nervous about tackling this huge job yourself. Calling a commercial moving company is step number 1 when moving a commercial printer or photocopier. But if you think you have what it takes to do it on your own, here is the helpful advice of our professional office movers.
Tip # 1: Print a Configuration Page
A configuration page of the device will print-off the printer IP address and network status. Place this printed page on the glass of the printer. That way when the printer arrives at its new location whoever is setting it up will know all the important information and settings of the device, making the setup process that much faster.
Tip # 2: Shut Down Process
Depending on the type of printer or photocopier you are dealing with, there may be a protocol for shutting down the device. Always refer to the printer documents and operations manual for their powering down method, prior to unplugging the machine. Office movers will always research the make and model of printers or photocopiers before attempting to move them.
Tip # 3: Disconnect All Cords and Cables
A printer will have many cords and cables attached to it. Don’t make the mistake of forgetting this step then pulling the printer away from the wall and ripping out all the cords. We’ve seen it happen before and it can be a very upsetting and expensive mistake to repair.
Carefully unplug all cords and network cables. Don’t just throw them over the machine and call it a day. Carefully wrap them and tape to the side of the machine using strong, adhesive tape. This will ensure that the cables don’t get lost or come loose when moving a printer or photocopier.
Tip # 4: If the Device Has A Fuser, Allow for Cool-Down
The fuser is the part of a photocopier that heats the toner and permanently bonds it to the paper. The fuser unit is made up of two rollers, one that heats up and the other that applies pressure. This instrument is highly sensitive and if the copier was recently used, the fuser could be hot and moving a printer or photocopier while hot is not advisable. So, wait at least 20-30 minutes after unplugging, before attempting to move the machine.
Tip # 5: Remove Toner
One of the most important steps when moving a printer or photocopier is to remove the toner cartridges. Depending on the type of toner your printer or photocopiers has, there is a possibility the ink can seep out of the cartridge when moving down the stairs or if the machine becomes unlevelled during the moving process.
Some machines have several toner cartridges so again refer to the owner’s manual of your specific machine. Once you have the cartridges removed, you should store them in a leak-proof bag. A Ziplock bag works well for this. Once secured in a bag, place them inside a small box. This will protect the cartridges from being damaged. Make sure you label the box clearly.
If you have several machines being moved, it’s important to know which cartridges go with which printer. One way of doing that is to tape a number onto the side of the printer and then to label each cartridge box with the corresponding number.
Don’t forget to remove the toner waste cartridge. This cartridge can be very messy, and you can have ink residue all over yourself if not handled correctly. Again, remove this cartridge and seal it in a leak proof bag and prepare for transport in the same way as the toner cartridges.
Tip # 6: Take Apart the Accessories
When moving a printer or photocopier you have to think about all the accessories attached to the machine that could easily be damaged during the moving process. Office movers will always remove things like paper trays, paper decks, finishers, and sorters.
However, not all machines are created the same way so always refer to the instruction manual for the proper way to remove these things. Most of these accessories are made of plastic and can break if too much pressure is applied. So be mindful of that when removing them.
Once removed you will need to pack up the accessories in a cohesive way. Ensure all screws, bolts and other hardware is secured in a ziplock bag and packed alongside the accessories to make for easy setup at the new location.
Tip # 7: Secure Any Moving Parts
The top of a photocopier protects the copier glass, and one unexpected bump can spell disaster when moving a printer or photocopier. So, tape down any moving pieces on the printer or photocopier or even server. Using bubble wrap along with plastic wrap can add an extra level of security. Putting bubble wrap down on the glass before taping the top down will give you some extra padding as well.
If you are really worried about the printer or photocopier and server getting damaged, you can bubble wrap each corner of the device and use plastic wrap to secure it in place. This is not always necessary if you’ve hired a trustworthy moving company, but it does give that added peace of mind.
Tip # 8: Protect the Floors
Depending on the floor type at your office, you may want to put down mats or runners to protect the floors when moving a printer or photocopier. Printers that have sat a long time may have accumulated toner dust on the wheels and this could rub off on the floors and be difficult to clean.
Tip # 9: Use A Moving Dolly
Large commercial printers and photocopiers have wheels, but they are not meant for rolling long distances. In fact, trying to do so could cause a lot of damage to the delicate instruments inside the machine. At any time, a wheel could give out causing a heavy bang on the floor that can rattle the insides of your machine. It’s not worth the risk. Use a moving dolly to roll your printer to where it needs to be. Be extra careful when going over bumps or divots. Our commercial moving company has several different types and sizes of dollies to help support your move.
Tip # 10: Check Your Lease Agreement
If your business is leasing the printer or photocopier, it may be mandatory that you contact the company you are leasing from. You may be required by law to notify them of a move and give them your new location and address. Always check this out before moving a printer or photocopier.
Final Words
Moving is a stressful time and it can be even more stressful when you’re moving a printer or photocopier. A lot can go wrong if you don’t do it right. Hopefully, the 10 tips from our commercial moving company have helped give you some insight into how to properly move a printer or photocopier.
If you’re still feeling a bit nervous, contacting office movers at a commercial moving company is a great solution. They are skilled in moving all types of commercial equipment and moving a printer or photocopier is no big deal for professional office movers. If you’re curious about the cost of hiring office movers, give Déménagement Total a call and get a free quote. You may be surprised at how affordable it is and how nice it’ll feel to know your expensive equipment is in good hands.
