The evolution of university printing: Adapting to technological advances

Remember when printing on campus meant waiting in line at 11:55 with a 12 o’clock submission deadline, only to watch the machine jam on page two of a 20-page document? We’ve all been there but we’re happy to report that university printing has come a long way since then.

Thanks to technological advancements, the introduction of print management (and maybe a few engineering miracles along the way), campus printing is now light-years ahead, transforming the student experience and the future efficiency of educational institutions.

Campus printing: from Gutenberg to greatness

In 1440 Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable-type printing press and sparked the OG print revolution. Since then, printing solutions have gone through more iterations than the Fast and Furious franchise. Universities in particular have evolved from their very traditional (ancient) printing processes to wireless printing from a smartphone while sipping coffee on campus like a scene from Black Mirror.

Despite talk of a paperless future, print remains a foundational part of the academic experience, continuing to play a critical role in higher education as research dissemination, course materials, administrative documentation and more all require printed paperwork.

The campus printing tech we see today would have blown Gutenberg’s mind: AI-powered print management, cloud-based print systems, 3D printing, and game changing sustainability that’s shaping the future of university printing for the eco-conscious next generation.

The rise of the print-as-a-service model

We’re entering the era of print-as-a-service (think of it like the Spotify of printing). Instead of owning and managing printers, universities can opt for a service-based model, paying for the amount of print capacity they need. It’s a game-changer for printer fleet management because it shifts the burden of maintenance, upgrades, and even security from the institution to the service provider.

Service providers use analytics to track servicing requirements and cartridge replacements (meaning no more “toner empty” error messages and queues of stressed-out students). This model allows educational institutions to scale their printing capacity up or down depending on demand, reduce expenditure, and avoid getting stuck with outdated printers.

AI-driven print management, data analytics & insights

As the Terminator movies predicted, AI might just be taking over - and this includes print management for universities. But don’t panic. It’s less about Skynet-style robot printers and more about print solutions sophisticated enough to analyse human printing habits and use this data to adapt the way we work for maximum efficiency.

Data-driven print optimisation is like Google Analytics for printers. It involves tracking print usage to identify patterns, inefficiencies, unnecessary waste, and opportunities for cost savings.

This information helps universities make informed decisions about fleet size, configuration, and placement, ensuring that the right printers are in the right places. For example, a high-volume research lab might need a robust laser printer, while a low-use admin area can get by with a smaller multifunction device. The result is a better printing experience for everyone.

What’s next? Emerging printing technologies for universities

University printing solutions have leveled up from the days of clunky library printers. Modern printers can do so much more than churn out reams of paper. Today’s devices come equipped with futuristic features specifically designed to optimise the overall user experience.

3D printing

Of course, 3D printing isn’t in the future, it’s already here. But for universities it’s a complete reimagining of course design and assignment formats. Design students can now print a prototype of a product they just sketched out in class, or engineering students can create 3D models of plans and projects. These advancements are reshaping university printing and opening up new opportunities for teaching and research.

Embracing these innovations means staying ahead of the curve and ensuring that university IT infrastructures support this rapid tech evolution, and can make printing as high-tech, reliable, and integrated as other pioneering tech on campus.

Hybrid print management and wireless printing

The shift from on-premise to hybrid and remote learning models has forced universities to adapt IT infrastructure. We’re seeing a rise in cloud-based print solutions, where print jobs are stored virtually wherever students are studying and then retrieved on campus using secure release features.

Wireless printing is possibly the coolest invention since AirPods, and the reason students no longer have to trek to the library and log into a dusty old desktop. Now they can simply send print jobs from a smartphone and reap the benefits of printing solutions that have evolved to become the standard for a modern university experience. Today’s university students are empowered to study from anywhere and print anytime (especially during finals when the whole study body descends on campus printers).

More sustainable print management

We like to think that Johannes would be in awe of his invention’s current role in saving the planet one print job at a time by balancing eco-friendly practices with cost-effectiveness. If we’re serious about sustainability being more than just a buzzword it’s critical for universities to reduce their environmental footprint - and this doesn’t just mean using recycled paper.

Modern print management for universities is all about cutting waste with new advancements like bio-based inks and energy-efficient printers. This is where printer fleet optimisation comes in. By analysing usage patterns and implementing duplex printing and default black-and-white print rules, institutions can significantly reduce waste.

Cybersecurity challenges for university printing

These tech advancements have also highlighted a need for more secure print management systems. Even a simple printer is a cybersecurity risk, as they are network devices and can therefore be hacked. Sensitive information, student records and research data can be vulnerable if universities fail to ensure that print infrastructure is as secure as their email servers.

Security features such as user authentication, encrypted printing, secure release, and monitoring for suspicious activity are a first line of defence as the evolution of print management security continues.

The enduring role of print in higher education

The humble print job now deserves just as much attention as any other part of an IT strategy. If your current printer fleet feels like a mismatched collection of relics, it might be time for a change that incorporates print-as-a-service, hybrid infrastructure, and smart printing features to truly embrace the evolution of print technology.

Johannes Gutenberg’s invention moved the needle from printing 40 pages per day by hand to 3600 per day with his movable-type printing press. So, next time you send a print job from a phone, or seamlessly collect a hefty dissertation from your chosen printer, it would be “very demure, very respectful” to acknowledge just how far we’ve come.