Updated September 23, 2024
Schools and universities are constantly seeking ways to optimize resources and improve efficiency. One area where this is becoming increasingly evident is the approach to printing. The traditional model of having printers in classrooms is being re-evaluated in favor of more centralized solutions. This shift not only addresses cost concerns but also enhances the overall quality and accessibility of printed materials within the school. By moving away from printers in classrooms and instead transitioning to centralized printing systems, schools can streamline their operations and better support both teachers and students. Let’s take a closer look at how your school may benefit from taking a new approach to printing needs, including managed print services, large-format printers, and centralized print shops.
Some schools are recognizing that a patchwork of printers in classrooms throughout the campus isn’t the most efficient way to handle their printing needs. Instead, they are adding print capabilities centrally to a campus building or the district office to support students and staff.
A managed print service (MPS) and a production-level printer can work together to streamline processes, reduce costs, and create a more centralized printing environment. With MPS, schools gain centralized control over their printing environments, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that printing activities are monitored and optimized. Pairing this with a production-level printer allows schools to handle high-volume printing tasks, such as producing educational materials, event programs, test booklets, and administrative documents, in-house. This collaboration not only enhances the quality and consistency of printed materials but also reduces the need for outsourcing, leading to faster turnaround times and lower expenses. Additionally, the combination supports sustainability initiatives by minimizing waste and promoting the use of eco-friendly printing practices.
“We are finding that K-12 schools and universities are trying to standardize machines to a handful of models to help reduce costs, save resources, and be more environmentally friendly,” said Jeff Bernhardt, EO Johnson Account Executive.
For the most part, a large-format production printer is what it sounds like. It’s a printer that prints onto a roll of material that is cut into individual sheets while providing crisp clean graphics. Think about jobs you might typically send to a commercial printer, and they may be able to be printed on-site instead with the addition of a production printer.
There are many ways visual representation enhances the educational experience, so there is no shortage of opportunities to utilize production-level printers in a more centralized educational print environment. Here are some applications to consider:
When you think of all the printing needs throughout a school campus, it isn’t hard to see how managed print services and centralized print solutions benefit schools. Let’s look a little closer at the advantages of creating a centralized print solution in schools.
Typically, printing in-house is less expensive than outsourcing. Keep in mind fees you typically see for shipping, delivery, and set-up charges.
Print on your own timeline instead of needing to coordinate with outside vendors.
Show staff their printing needs are supported by the administration.
Reduce your printing fleet with less printers in classrooms, along with reducing the number of service calls.
Minimize paper waste and eliminate unnecessary equipment through a strategic and simplified printing program with usage tracking.
Use printed graphics and posters to create an engaging school environment.
“We are working with a lot of K-12 schools and universities to enhance the quality of learning by using fewer printers, but those printers have more capabilities,” said Berhnardt. “For example, they would like color printing as a choice on more devices along with scanning features.”
The transition from having multiple printers in classrooms to centralized printing solutions is a strategic move that offers numerous advantages for schools. By incorporating managed print services, production-level printers, and centralized print shops, schools can significantly reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of printed materials for both staff and students.
We have partnered with several universities and school districts who have seen the benefits of managed print services along with production-level printing in their school environment. As a managed print provider, our print experts can help you evaluate your current and future printing needs to see if it might be a good fit for your school district as well.