The Persistence of Paper: Why Everyone Still Needs to Print

Printing on paper: the 21st century's equivalent of carrying a pocket watch.

1. In a world that's supposed to be going paperless, printers are still kicking like a caffeine addict's heart rate. People need to print and they need to print now.
2. The printer industry is like a new-age politician, adapting to meet the people's demands. They're finding ways to reduce ink costs and create eco-friendly practices. Let's hope they're better at it than politicians are at solving real problems.
3. Despite the need to print, owning a printer is like having a needy pet. It takes up space, it's high maintenance, and it's always begging for ink. But, when you need it, you really need it. So, don't get rid of that printer just yet, you never know when it's going to save your butt.

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Printers: that bad habit you can't shake, even though you know it's not good for you.

Despite the widespread digital transformation, printing on paper remains a necessity for many people. However, the decline in printer sales since the release of the first iPhone in 2007 is not indicative of the disappearance of paper documents. In fact, the need for printing on paper continues to persist, even as people have become more selective about purchasing printers, particularly since they take up so much space and require costly ink refills.

While those who own a printer have become increasingly valuable, companies and individuals are struggling to find reliable printing services. Some people, for example, chose an apartment complex because it had a printer available for residents. Meanwhile, businesses are adapting to the changing demand for printers, as seen in the rising popularity of mobile printing and cloud-based printing solutions.

For some people, printers have become a business opportunity. 

Two college students charged their classmates to use their color printer to print out term papers and textbooks. While Tyler Eshleman wishes he had thought of it first, he is content with a printer-free life for himself. He reasons that, at some point, people might consider purchasing a printer, but only after they buy a house, a car, a boat, or a second house.

Owning a printer does not guarantee that you can use it. 

Chella Diaz's experience last summer is a prime example. She spent three hours trying to print two sheets of a tax form. Her computer wouldn't connect to her printer, and the three printers at Staples were out of order. Eventually, she found a FedEx that was able to print her documents, but she had to pay extra for the thick paper someone had loaded into the tray.

The printer industry is exploring potential solutions and innovations to make owning and using printers more accessible and cost-effective. For instance, HP makes it easier to keep supplies on hand through subscription services and local copier dealerships are coming up with programs to support printing in hybrid work environments. Unfortunately for those who insist the end is not near, as technology continues to evolve, printers are quickly becoming a relic of the past.

Those who do own printers have become increasingly valuable, but owning a printer doesn't guarantee the ability to print, and it can come with the burden of being the go-to printer person. As the printer industry continues to adapt to changing demand and evolving technologies, it will be exciting to see how the future of printing on paper unfolds.

Inspiration, here.  WSJ

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Tweet: In a paperless world, why do we still need printers? Learn why printing on paper remains a necessity for many people, and how the printer industry is adapting to changing demand. #printing #paper #technology

Keywords: printing, paper, technology, ink, eco-friendly, mobile printing, cloud-based printing, innovation

Intro Paragraph: Despite the rise of electronic devices and the push towards a paperless society, many people still need to print on paper. Whether it's for tax forms, homework assignments, or return labels, there are times when printing is necessary. However, owning a printer has become more of a hassle in recent years, with costly ink refills and bulky equipment taking up space. In this post, we'll explore why printing on paper persists, and how the printer industry is adapting to changing demand.

Search Question: Why do people still need to print on paper?

Image Prompt: A photo of a printer with a stack of paper next to it, and a person standing next to the printer with a look of relief on their face.

Song: "Ink" by Coldplay