How the Cost of Living fits into this
Businesses and individuals alike are grappling with intense financial pressures in today’s economy. Escalating overhead costs and a surging cost of living are impacting people everywhere, in diverse and significant ways.
But how does cost of living effect your humble office printer?
The rising cost of living is impacting even the most basic office supplies, like copy paper. It’s no surprise that many consumers opt for the cheapest option—after all, plain paper is just plain paper, right? Aren’t they all the same?
What most people don’t realise is that paper manufacturers are also feeling the strain of the cost of living crisis, which affects the production of your everyday office paper.
The standard thickness for copy paper is 80gsm, and nearly every printer on the market is calibrated to use this weight. The “Plain” setting on a printer isn’t just a label—it’s a carefully programmed feature or command. This setting communicates with the printer’s fuser unit, adjusting its temperature and speed to ensure the toner and developer bond seamlessly with the paper.
Even the smallest details, like the type of paper used, play a role in maintaining the reliability and quality of your printing experience.
Where are paper manufacturers cutting their production costs?
To remain competitive, major manufacturers are cutting costs to cover wages, meet demands, manage overheads, and stay afloat in the industry.
Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, some paper manufacturers have quietly reduced the thickness of their plain paper range from 80gsm down to 70gsm.
The drop in 10gsm may not seem much at first, however, this practice has led to significant issues, including increased paper jams, excessive paper dust, and premature wear of printer components—particularly in laser office printers. High-volume users are most affected, as the thinner paper causes the printer’s fuser to overheat during extended operation.
Is this change worth it on a global scale?
Reducing paper thickness by 10gsm helps manufacturers save resources, which in turn lowers their overall carbon footprint. This is a logical step in addressing global challenges, particularly during a time when we are facing not only a financial crisis but also a climate crisis.
However, while cutting materials may reduce production costs, it can inadvertently increase expenses elsewhere if the reduced quality leads to performance issues. For instance, thinner paper may result in higher plastic usage or additional emissions due to increased manufacturing of replacement materials or parts. In this sense, the effort to cut costs may fall short of truly prioritising the needs of the end user or the environment.
To tackle this issue, paper manufacturers should adopt clear categorisation, colour coding, or labelling for their packaging. For example, environmentally friendly, thinner, or 70gsm copy paper could be labelled as “Light Copy Paper” instead of generic terms like “Plain” or “Copy Paper.” This simple adjustment would help consumers better understand the need to modify their printer settings accordingly. By selecting the correct media type in printer properties (typically for papers between 60-74gsm on some models), users can significantly reduce paper jams, minimise waste, conserve toner, and enhance overall office workflow. Small changes like these can contribute to a more efficient and sustainable printing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, even the slightest most minute change as well as minor miscommunication between manufacturers and consumers can lead to significant issues over time.
To prevent this, manufacturers should ensure their products are clearly labelled and accompanied by straightforward usage instructions. This approach minimises confusion and reduces the likelihood of unnecessary waste. – consideration is the key!
Tips and Trouble shooting advise from HP.
See link here on How does choosing a different “media type” affect how the printer handles the media?
