4 tips for sustainable printing
12/05/2026
Printing a page, like any other office task, has an environmental impact. The more you print, the greater that impact becomes. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the footprint of your printing habits as much as possible.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that printing is not necessarily bad for the environment. Reading on paper offers many advantages that justify printing. Moreover, computers, tablets, and additional screens used for digital reading also come with an environmental cost. As long as you are mindful of what you print and why, printers still play an important role in a sustainable office environment today.
Here are four practical tips to help minimize the impact of printing.
There is even a font specifically designed for sustainable printing: Ecofont Vera Sans. Each character contains tiny, barely visible holes that can reduce toner consumption by approximately 15% when printing.
It is also important to choose a printer that handles recycled paper well and complies with the European EN 12281 paper standard, which high-quality recycled paper meets. Ideally, the printed sheets should also be easy to recycle afterwards. Konica Minolta’s Simitri toner was specifically developed to separate efficiently from paper during the recycling process, making paper recycling easier and more effective.
Small adjustments can also improve efficiency. For example, using an Eco Timer allows you to optimise the printer’s sleep and operating modes. Smart printers with learning capabilities can even adapt these settings dynamically based on usage patterns. Other factors, such as how quickly the display switches off, also contribute to overall energy savings.
Printing a page, like any other office task, has an environmental impact. The more you print, the greater that impact becomes. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the footprint of your printing habits as much as possible.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that printing is not necessarily bad for the environment. Reading on paper offers many advantages that justify printing. Moreover, computers, tablets, and additional screens used for digital reading also come with an environmental cost. As long as you are mindful of what you print and why, printers still play an important role in a sustainable office environment today.
Here are four practical tips to help minimize the impact of printing.
1. Choose the right font
Did you know that the font you use can affect toner consumption? And we’re not just talking about font size. Naturally, a document printed in size 11 on one page has a smaller impact than the same text printed in size 15 across two pages. The font itself also makes a difference. For example, Century Gothic uses on average 30% less toner than Arial. Times New Roman, Calibri, and Verdana are also economical choices.There is even a font specifically designed for sustainable printing: Ecofont Vera Sans. Each character contains tiny, barely visible holes that can reduce toner consumption by approximately 15% when printing.
2.Choose paper wisely
Both the amount of paper you use and the type of paper you print on directly affect your ecological footprint. Naturally, duplex (double-sided) printing is the preferred option. In addition, choose recycled paper whenever possible. Especially for text documents or presentation hand-outs, there is little reason to opt for anything else.It is also important to choose a printer that handles recycled paper well and complies with the European EN 12281 paper standard, which high-quality recycled paper meets. Ideally, the printed sheets should also be easy to recycle afterwards. Konica Minolta’s Simitri toner was specifically developed to separate efficiently from paper during the recycling process, making paper recycling easier and more effective.
3. Print with an energy-efficient device
Printing requires energy, and not every printer is equally efficient. Around 60% of a printer’s energy consumption occurs during the toner fusing process. Thanks to Simitri toner technology, Konica Minolta has succeeded in lowering the fixing temperature by 15°C. This reduces both the printer’s energy consumption and the CO₂ emissions linked to printing itself. Depending on the model, emissions can be reduced by up to 25%.Small adjustments can also improve efficiency. For example, using an Eco Timer allows you to optimise the printer’s sleep and operating modes. Smart printers with learning capabilities can even adapt these settings dynamically based on usage patterns. Other factors, such as how quickly the display switches off, also contribute to overall energy savings.