Print Isn’t Dead, It Just Got Smarter
Remember when people said email would replace phone calls, or that video would make books obsolete? Made sense at the time. But just like books and phone calls, print is still very much alive, just better dressed and smarter than ever.
Today, even in the age of cloud storage and digital workflows, one device quietly remains essential in the corner of the office: the printer.
So why didn’t the “print is dead” narrative hold up? And how have smart offices found a way to print better, not more?
Let’s break it down.
Why Print Never Actually Left
With e-signatures, cloud storage, and file-sharing tools, it’s easy to assume paper became irrelevant. But some jobs still call for a physical page:
- Contracts that need wet signatures
- Blueprints or layouts that benefit from physical scale
- Materials for learners who retain better from print
- Sensitive documents not meant for screens
- Reports or markups requiring annotations
Paper isn’t the problem, it’s how we use it that matters. Today, printing is more intentional, secure, and integrated into smart workflows.
How Smart Offices Use Print - Purposefully
It’s not about printing more, it’s about printing smarter. Here’s what that looks like:
Secure Release Printing
Documents are only printed when the user is present, reducing exposure and increasing compliance, especially in regulated industries like healthcare and finance.
Usage Tracking & Controls
Know who’s printing what, where, and why. Apply quotas, cost recovery, or departmental tracking to optimize usage.
Eco-Friendly Defaults
Duplex printing, grayscale mode, and automatic deletion of uncollected jobs help reduce your environmental impact.
Seamless Integrations
Modern printers integrate with cloud services, mobile devices, and workflow tools, just another node in your office tech ecosystem.
Print: The Most Reliable Format There Is
Paper doesn’t crash. It can’t be hacked. It won’t vanish when Wi-Fi is spotty. In industries where compliance and permanence matter, think healthcare, legal, education, print isn’t optional. It’s essential.
For example, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers upgraded their entire print environment with badge-release features to ensure HIPAA compliance, reduce downtime, and boost productivity across 28 locations. Read the full case study.
What Actually Died: Wasteful Printing
The era of printing every email and forgetting it at the copier? That’s what’s gone. With Managed Print Services (MPS), businesses now reduce waste, cut costs, and increase uptime:
- Automatic supply replenishment
- Centralized printer fleet management
- Remote monitoring and analytics
- Ongoing support with blazing-fast service times
It’s not about more print, it’s about more efficient print.
Final Thoughts: Print Isn’t Dead, It Just Grew Up
Smart offices know that digital tools and paper can work together. Print doesn’t need to be the villain in your digital transformation story, it just needs the right role.
When used strategically, printing enhances productivity, ensures compliance, and simplifies workflows.
So, next time someone says, “Print is dead,” go ahead and smile.
Because in your smart office? Print is alive, well, and part of the team.
Ready to Rethink Your Print Strategy?
Let’s talk about how Applied Innovation’s Managed Print Services and Print Management Solutions can help you streamline costs, improve security, and keep your business moving forward.