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Save Paper, Toner and Time with Print Preview

It’s easy to click Print without giving your document a second thought, especially when you’re in a hurry. However, taking just a few seconds to use Print Preview before printing can help avoid some of the most common and costly printing mistakes. 

Whether you’re printing a single page or a lengthy report, Print Preview allows you to see exactly how your document will appear on paper before anything is sent to the printer. It is one of the simplest ways to reduce unnecessary waste, improve document quality and avoid having to reprint documents. 

print screen image

Why Print Preview Matters 

Many printing issues are only discovered once the pages have already been printed. By checking Print Preview first, you can spot problems on screen where they can be corrected instantly. 

Using Print Preview can help you identify: 

  • Blank pages that don’t need to be printed. 
  • Incorrect page orientation, such as landscape instead of portrait. 
  • Text, tables or images running off the edge of the page. 
  • Documents that have been scaled incorrectly. 
  • Unexpected page breaks creating additional pages. 
  • Formatting changes caused by converting documents between applications. 
  • Pages that don’t fit the selected paper size. 

Taking a moment to check these details before printing can save both time and resources.


Small Mistakes Soon Add Up 

One incorrectly printed document may only waste a few sheets of paper, but across an entire business these small mistakes can quickly become significant. 

Every unnecessary reprint uses additional paper, toner and electricity, whilst also taking up valuable employee time. Over weeks and months, these avoidable mistakes can contribute to higher printing costs and unnecessary environmental waste. 

Making Print Preview part of your everyday printing routine is a simple way to help reduce these costs without changing the way your business works. 

 


Check Before You Print 

print button

Before clicking Print, take a quick look through the preview and ask yourself: 

  • Is every page needed? 
  • Is the orientation correct? 
  • Does all of the content fit on the page? 
  • Are any pages blank? 
  • Is the correct paper size selected? 
  • Does everything look exactly as you expect? 

If the answer to any of these questions is no, it’s much quicker to make the correction before printing than afterwards. 

 


It Only Takes a Few Seconds 

Many people assume Print Preview slows them down, but in reality it usually saves time. Spending just 20 to 30 seconds checking a document is far quicker than collecting a misprinted report, making corrections and printing it again. 

When this simple habit is adopted across an office, it can significantly reduce paper consumption, toner usage and unnecessary printer wear whilst improving the overall quality of printed documents. 

 


Need Help? 

If you’d like advice on reducing your printing costs, improving print efficiency or getting the most from your office printers, our team is always happy to help. We work with businesses across the UK to optimise their print environments and recommend practical ways to save both time and money. 

Call us on 01322 643826 or fill in the contact form below to speak to one of our print specialists.