Improve your bottom-line with smart printing choices

With the shift to electronic communications, you would think that paper consumption was declining. Think about it, if we are emailing each other, using the Internet and filing our hard drives with digital files then surely we’re using less paper, right? Ironically, the reality is just the opposite.Inefficient paper, ink and energy consumption in printing, is not just bad for the planet but bad for business too.

The consumption of paper is estimated to grow annually by six to seven per cent in India1. During 2002-
2004, the annual consumption of paper and paperboard in India was 4.8 million tonnes, and estimates by Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute suggest it to have nearly doubled to 8.55 million tonnes by 2010-11. Analysts predict that India will record further growth, due to enormous demand and economic expansion. But paper isn’t the only culprit.

Printers use energy, even when left in standby mode. Ink and toner are often wasted in poorly designed printing systems, especially when non-original cartridges are used. Inferior quality cartridges print fewer pages, sometimes below the required standard, consuming more resources to get the job right. Cartridges and printers that have been poorly designed can also be difficult to recycle.

So how do we improve this situation? By making smart printing choices that can make a big difference to small businesses.

Printers

• Reduce paper consumption and your bills by at least 30 per cent by deploying auto duplex-capable devices. Alternatively, you can set the printer’s configuration to duplex printing defaults at the network level. Duplex printing allows one to automatically print on both sides of a sheet of paper. This is especially usefule for SMBs that require low-to-medium volume of printing.
• Switch to multifunctional printers (MFPs) instead of standalone devices to help reduce energy.
• Look for printers that have a standby mode with near-zero power consumption. These printers draw power only when they are printing and switch off automatically when not in use, thus helping businesses save on energy bills.
• Consider an upgrade if your printer is really old. The latest generation of printers are often sinificantly more efficient and consume less power and toner.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® or BEE logo when you consider new printers. These certifications recognize the energy efficiency of a product.
• HP Instant-on Technology found in HP LaserJet printers provides up to 50 per cent energy savings over traditional fusing, while delivering a first-page-out virtually in no time at all.
• Go wireless when it comes to printing. Wireless printing is efficient and you can also save on cabling expenses as you expand.

Cartridges

• Always choose an original over other alternatives. Superior-quality original ink and toner cartridges can print up to the last drop and are particularly great in saving money and reducing the need to invest in more products.
• Beware of counterfeit cartridges – they come packaged looking just like an original, but are priced substantially cheaper than an original cartridge. However, counterfeit cartridges are no better than refills and can damage your printer. They can also lead to significant paper wastage; on account of poor-quality of printing.
• Original cartridges are highly reliable and never produce a poor-quality print; you will not have to discard paper because of fades and smudges. This saves paper in the long run.
• Original cartridges are recyclable, and offer your organization an opportunity to significantly curtail the impact on the environment.

With businesses increasingly looking at ways to cut costs and make the most of existing resources, the smallest of changes can help. By smartly managing your printing infrastructure, you not only save on printing costs but also contribute your bit towards the environment.