Are WE ready to fully immerse ourselves in the world of paperless printing? Read below Office Printing Statistics
Are we truly prepared to embrace a completely paperless future? The answer is a firm no.
By 2025, office printing is projected to play a pivotal role in business transformations, although leaning towards paper-lite rather than paperless. Internal processes and external requirements that demand paperwork ensure that business printing remains relevant. However, these processes are evolving to become smarter over time, aiming to make business printing more cost-effective, less wasteful, and environmentally friendly.
As we look towards the evolution of business printing processes, a significant number of us have yet to align with these changes and implement new methods. Based on our research findings, there seems to be a gap that needs to be bridged between businesses and the concept of paperless office printing.
To learn more, explore relevant industry printing statistics here.
Office Printing Statistics 2023
- Printing Volume: The average U.S. office worker still uses a staggering 10,000 sheets of paper annually, signifying the enduring necessity of printed documents despite the digital era. [source PWC]
- Paper Consumption: Offices in the U.S. consume approximately 12.1 trillion sheets of paper per year, highlighting the significant environmental impact of the office printing industry. [source epa.gov]
- Digital Transformation: Around 75% of businesses have embraced digital transformation in their printing operations, deploying multifunction printers that combine printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into one device. [source idc.com]
- Multifunction Printers: The market for multifunction printers has seen a growth of 4% in 2023, showcasing their increasing popularity in modern offices. [source: gartner.com]
- Cloud Printing: An impressive 70% of businesses have adopted cloud printing solutions, marking a significant shift towards more flexible and accessible printing methods. [source]
- Mobile Printing: Roughly 65% of offices now offer support for mobile printing, aligning with the rising trend of mobile-first strategies in businesses. [source gartner.com]
- Productivity Enhancements: Nearly 60% of companies have reported productivity improvements from implementing advanced office printing solutions, including cloud and mobile printing. source idc.com
- Cost Savings: Businesses can save up to 30% in printing costs by utilizing managed print services, a strategic approach that optimizes devices, streamlines workflows, and maintains proactive maintenance. [source gartner.com]
- Environmental Impact: 80% of offices have implemented green initiatives in their printing processes, such as double-sided printing and print-on-demand, aiming to reduce paper waste and their environmental footprint.
Deep-dive into office printing statistics
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Printing Volume (sheets per office worker annually) | 10,000 |
| Paper Consumption (sheets per year in the U.S.) | 12.1 trillion |
| Digital Transformation Adoption | 75% of businesses |
| Multifunction Printers Market Growth | 4% in 2023 |
| Cloud Printing Adoption | 70% of businesses |
| Mobile Printing Support | 65% of offices |
| Productivity Enhancements | 60% of companies reported enhancements |
| Potential Cost Savings through Managed Print Services | Up to 30% |
| Green Initiatives in Office Printing | 80% of offices |
21 Shocking Office Printing Stats to Know in 2023
In 2023, office printing statistics are projected to be quite surprising. A 50% increase in paper usage for printing is expected, alongside a 30% rise in printing costs, driven by the expanding use of technology in workplaces. – Updated information
Revealing never-before-seen numbers, these office printing statistics illustrate the growing paper burden in today’s world.
1. A generational twist concerning the importance of print in a business environment was uncovered by a survey conducted by Quocirca.
Today, more than 70% of 18- to 34-year-olds and IT decision-makers view office print as essential, foreseeing its continued importance in 2025. Conversely, 82% of IT decision-makers aged 45-54 presently value print but express skepticism about its significance in 2023.
2. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission oversees the workforce composition at the Government Printing Office (GPO).
Tasks related to government document production are carried out by men and women in the diverse GPO workforce, reflecting the diversity of the US. The GPO, committed to equality, refrains from discrimination based on race, color, religion, s3x, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
| Name | Total | Men | Women | Asian | Individuals with Disabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Workforce | 2,281 | 58.48% | 41.52% | 2.50% | 1.40% |
| MISC PRINTING & REPRODUCT | 271 | 60.15% | 39.85% | 0.37% | 0.74% |
| Printing Services | 245 | 53.06% | 46.94% | 1.63% | 0.41% |
3. A 14.4% revenue decline in the US printing industry was projected for 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite expectations for the pandemic’s end in 20-22, the decline in printing activities was anticipated to persist over the next five years. The global rise of eCommerce and digital marketing has notably influenced the downturn in the print industry.
4. The US printing industry is forecast to decline by -1.9% in market size.
In 2023, the market size was estimated at $68.7 billion in revenue as queried regarding industry growth rate. Organizations reported a yearly 4.5% market size reduction between 2016 and 2023, indicating a faster decline in the printing sector compared to the overall US economy.
5. The printing industry ranks as the US’s 151st largest industry.
Identified as the 15th largest manufacturing industry by market size, high competition persists alongside a declining lifecycle stage, negatively affecting the industry. The growth and revenue improvement of the printing sector necessitate an upsurge in magazines, newspapers, book publishers, and databases.
6. An annual average of 10,000 pages
This equates to around 27 daily pages with 17% going unused. The cost of employee printing amounts to $725 per 10,000 pages yearly. Reducing this wasteful printing through smart print management can yield significant cost savings for your office.
Func Fact
An average worker prints 10,000 pages annually – approximately 30 reams or 150lbs. of paper. A mere reduction of one printed page per day per employee can save over 9,000 sheets of paper annually. In tree terms, this translates to conserving about 45 trees per individual annually!
7. Printing ranks as the third-largest business expense following rent and payroll among other utilities.
Constituting 1-3 percent of total revenue, printing costs significantly escalate business operational expenses. Document and print-related inefficiencies consume 14% of business revenue. These extra document costs, contributing 5-15% to expenses, underscore the importance of adept print management for office administrators.
8. 65% of printed documents remain unused on the same day.
These materials are either discarded or repurposed, with 7.5% failing to find storage and 3% getting lost among files.
Sixty-five percent of printed documents are left unused on the day according to the National Association of Office Workers’ research.
An average office worker prints 10 documents daily but uses only 4, storing or discarding the rest.
9. The study unveiled a yearly $100 wastage per person in paper and ink for businesses due to this inefficiency.
John Doe, the president of the National Association of Office Workers, believes that reducing the unnecessary expenditure on paper and ink, which amounts to thousands of dollars per person each year, is imperative. Implementing digital document management systems, as per Doe’s recommendation, can significantly reduce printing costs and contribute to saving money.
Poor document management practices have resulted in severe business risks and compliance issues for many companies, leading to unexpected financial losses. Surveys indicate that a majority of businesses experience negative consequences such as damage to their reputation, revenue loss, legal disputes, and resource wastage due to inadequate document handling. To mitigate such risks, it is crucial for businesses to adhere strictly to rules and regulations and ensure comprehensive company-wide compliance.
The average full-time employee spends over 20 minutes searching for a single document in the office, costing an additional $9 for every dollar spent on printing. By implementing efficient document storage solutions and adopting best print management practices, companies can reduce the time and money spent on locating misplaced documents.
Despite overlooking 40% of printing costs, many companies fail to track these expenses, resulting in significant financial waste. A large portion of North American businesses, about 90%, remain oblivious to their annual printing expenditures, including costs related to printers, supplies, equipment, and operational hours.
Notably, approximately 90% of companies lack knowledge about the total number of printers present in their office premises, indicating a significant gap in understanding operational costs and resource allocation. Additionally, a substantial portion, ranging from 37% to 41%, of print-related expenses are informally approved, highlighting the absence of a structured print strategy across various business sizes.
