How to Reduce Waste in Plotter Printing

Strategies to reduce plotter waste have always been a good way to save money. Today, however, there's an increased focus on environmentally friendly operations, making the reduction of plotter waste that much more important. In this guide, we'll explore why waste reduction matters, common challenges, and practical solutions. Along the way, we'll discover how HP plotters make the whole process easier.

Let's start with outlining the two major reasons you should want to reduce plotter waste: environmental benefits and cost savings.

The environmental impact of waste from plotter printing starts with the immediate disposal of materials, but it doesn't stop there. Every sheet of media or drop of ink contributes to environmental degradation as it strains landfills and produces chemical waste. It also requires more manufacturing and transportation of materials. Those last two are major environmental factors that are often hidden from the obvious impacts. By reducing waste, companies can decrease this need for extra industrial action and minimise their portion of landfill usage and chemical waste.

Long before anyone was concerned about environmental impact, companies tried to reduce plotter waste. That's because every bit of wasted material is also wasted cash. Unnecessary printing waste can account for up to 30% of printing costs in poorly managed operations. The costs come not only from the wasted materials themselves but from the disposal costs and reduced operational efficiency associated with them.

These are more hidden impacts that aren't typically considered but add up to a significant expense. With effective waste management strategies, companies can save their bottom line along with the environment.

HP understands how waste negatively impacts both of these categories. The company has made significant strides in reducing waste through better technology in its printers. HP printers reduce errors that require reprints, use ink efficiently, and are designed to work well with eco-friendly ink and media options.

To understand how to reduce plotter waste and printer waste, let's examine the three main causes of waste in more detail.

Perhaps the biggest source of plotter printing waste is the inefficient use of media and ink. This comes in various forms. Using colour when it isn't necessary is a major source of wasted ink. Printing most colours requires using more than one colour of ink. Another big problem is printing on a larger size media than needed. The unused portion of the paper is pure waste. Finally, inefficient ink distribution drains ink reserves faster than needed. Common causes of this include printing in high quality when a draft quality will suffice or through improper maintenance of the print head.

The most obvious source of waste is unnecessary reprints. These are thrown away without ever being used. Incorrect file preparation, improper printer settings, or communication issues between departments can all lead to prints that must be trashed. Each time this happens, environmental waste and operational costs increase.

Very often, trying to save money ends up costing it. Using substandard or inappropriate materials can lead to poor print quality. This may be resolved with reprints, which increase media and ink waste, or by setting the print quality higher than it would otherwise need to be, wasting ink.

Now that we've seen how waste is caused, let's consider some ways to mitigate it.

There are a number of print settings that impact efficiency. Each of them should be considered before starting a print job. These include:

• Selecting appropriate resolution settings for each job
• Optimising colour usage and ink distribution
• Using draft modes for proofs and internal documents
• Implementing nesting solutions for multiple prints

Good materials provide better print quality with lower ink usage. There are also sustainable options that can further reduce environmental impact. Consider the following practices when choosing materials:

• Using recycled or recyclable media when possible
• Selecting materials specifically designed for your printer model
• Choosing appropriate media weights and finishes for each application

An improperly maintained printer cannot operate efficiently. It may jam frequently, wasting time and media. Alternatively, it may need more ink than it otherwise would to provide the same level of print quality. It may even print so poorly that reprints are frequently necessary. Regular calibration and maintenance, as recommended by the manufacturer, can reduce these failures.

Hurrying to print a job can lead to the wrong settings being chosen—or even the wrong file being printed by mistake. The time it takes to do things right the first can save time and waste in the long run. Before printing, be sure to follow the tips below:

• Review files for accuracy and completeness
• Use preview functions to check layout and scaling
• Create digital proofs for client approval
• Implement standardised quality control procedures

Let's look at how HP has designed its plotters to help with some of the common issues that lead to waste.

HP plotters have features to minimise errors and reprints. These include:

• Automatic media sensing and alignment
• Print preview capabilities
• Intelligent nesting algorithms
• Ink usage optimisation systems

The products and initiatives offered by HP also help reduce the environmental impact of print operations. The biggest examples are:

• Water-based inks with reduced environmental impact
• Recyclable printing materials
• Energy-efficient printing technologies
• Take-back programs for used materials

Software can help us do a lot of things more efficiently. It's no surprise that it can also help with printer processes. HP plotters include several features to accomplish this:

• Job planning and nesting tools
• Colour management systems
• Remote monitoring capabilities
• Usage tracking and reporting features

In addition to using HP's efficient and advanced plotters, the following best practices will help minimise environmental impact.

Recycling is one of the best ways to prevent or reduce plotter waste. A comprehensive recycling plan might include the following actions:

• Setting up collection points for recyclable materials
• Partnering with recycling service providers
• Educating staff about proper recycling procedures
• Tracking recycling metrics and success rates

Staff is more likely to become conscious of the waste they produce if management creates a culture of waste reduction. Here are some ways to do that:

• Regular training sessions on best practices
• Documentation of procedures and guidelines
• Ongoing support and feedback
• Recognition of waste reduction achievements

Sometimes, waste is invisible. By monitoring and analysing print operations, these invisible losses can be uncovered. Good solutions for how to reduce waste when printing include:

• Regular usage reports and analysis
• Waste tracking and documentation
• Cost monitoring and reporting
• Performance metrics and goals

You are now armed with all the knowledge you need to significantly reduce the waste you generate in your printing operations. In addition to knowledge, having the right equipment is critical. Now is a great time to invest in HP DesignJet plotters. These advanced machines will allow for more efficient use of both media and ink, saving the environment and minimising costs. HP has a full range of large format printers. If the DesignJet doesn't suit your needs, one of those will give you the printing options you need in an efficient package.