What is a 'Click' on a Multifunction Printer or Copier?

What’s a 'Click' and Why Does It Matter?

If you’re managing a multifunction printer (MFP), you’ve probably heard the term “click” before—but what exactly counts as a click?

In short, a click refers to a single impression on a sheet of paper. That could mean printing on one side or both sides, but don’t assume one sheet always equals one click. For example:

• Printing on both sides of an 8.5" x 11" sheet? That’s two clicks.

• Printing on just one side of an 11" x 17" sheet? That’s also two clicks.

So it’s not about the size of the paper—it’s about how many sides are printed.

Black and White Clicks vs. Colour Clicks

There are two main types of clicks:

• Black and white clicks: Any image made up of only black toner.

• Colour clicks: Any image that includes any colour—no matter how small the coloured area is.

Here’s the catch: even if your document is 99% black and white, a single coloured logo or accent means it’s billed as a colour click. The amount of colour on the page doesn’t change that—it’s the presence of colour that counts.

Single Click vs. Double Click: What’s the Difference?

When we talk about clicks in the printing world, the terms single click and double click don’t refer to how many times you press a button—they refer to how many sides of a sheet are printed.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Single Click: One side of a single sheet is printed

• Double Click: Both sides of a single sheet are printed (also called duplex printing)

So if you print a two-page document double-sided on one sheet of paper, your meter will record two clicks, not one. It’s not about the sheet—it’s about the impressions made on each side.

This is especially important if you’re tracking usage under a click-based service plan. Duplex printing is often promoted as an eco-friendly and cost-effective option (and it is, for saving paper), but it still counts as two clicks—one for each side printed.

What’s a Click Meter?

Every MFP comes with a built-in click meter—it’s kind of like your car’s odometer. It keeps track of how many clicks your machine has processed over time. This helps with both maintenance and billing.

How Clicks Are Used by Service Providers

Click counts aren’t just for show. Your imaging service provider uses them in a few key ways:

• Maintenance planning: Just like you’d service your car after a certain number of kilometres, your printer’s click meter tells technicians when it’s time to inspect, clean, or replace parts.

• Billing: Clicks are also used to calculate how much you’re billed under your service plan. That’s why understanding what counts as a click is so important—especially when comparing plans.

And here’s a pro tip: not all service providers calculate clicks the same way. Before you sign a contract—or when you’re reviewing your current agreement—ask your Business Improvement Specialist exactly how clicks are counted, and what kind of click allowance is included in your plan.

Understanding your click usage can help you stay within budget, avoid surprise charges, and keep your equipment running smoothly.

How Clicks Affect Your MFP Service Contract (and Your Budget)

Clicks aren’t just a technical metric—they directly impact your bottom line. That’s why understanding how they’re tracked and billed is essential before you sign (or renew) a service contract.

Click Allowances and Overages

Most MFP service plans include a monthly click allowance—a set number of black and white and/or colour clicks included in your fee. For example, your contract might include:

• 5,000 black and white clicks per month

• 500 colour clicks per month

Go over those allowances, and you’ll start paying per-click overage charges—which are typically much higher than the per-click rate inside your plan. For colour printing especially, those extra charges can add up fast.

Duplex and Large-Format Printing

Don’t forget—double-sided printing (duplex) counts as two clicks, and printing on larger sheets like 11” x 17” often counts as two clicks per side, depending on your provider. Always ask how duplex and large-format jobs are billed.

Key Questions to Ask Before Signing a Click-Based MFP Contract

Whether you're evaluating a new contract or reviewing an existing one, here are a few smart questions to ask:

1. How are black and white vs. colour clicks billed?

2. Is duplex printing counted as one click or two?

3. Are scans, copies, or faxes included in my click totals?

4. What happens if I go over my monthly allowance?

5. How often can I review or adjust my click allowance?

The answers to these questions can reveal whether a contract is a good fit—or if you’re at risk of overpaying for services you don’t actually use.

Managing Clicks to Control Costs

If you're looking to reduce printing costs, managing your click usage is a great place to start. Here are a few quick tips:

• Print in black and white by default, and only switch to colour when needed

• Use duplex printing to reduce total pages printed

• Track usage through your MFP’s built-in reporting tools or with a print management solution

• Educate your team on what counts as a colour click—it’s often less obvious than you'd think

The more visibility you have into your print habits, the easier it is to stay within budget—and avoid unpleasant surprises on your next invoice.

Need Help Making Sense of Your Click Usage?

Not sure how many clicks your team actually uses—or whether your current contract is working for you? Our team can walk you through a usage audit and recommend a plan that fits your actual needs. No guesswork, no jargon—just practical advice to help you get the most from your multifunction printer.