"Print is dead" - Insights from a Ghostbuster
As the weather gets a little chillier, the nights draw in, Pumpkin Spiced Latte returns to coffee shops, and our thoughts turn to nights wrapped up warm in front of our favourite films. I am sharing with you my insight regarding print, inspired by one of my cinematic heroes, and a confession!
Buckle up, if there is something strange in this neighbourhood. Who are you going to call?
Harold Ramis
In the classic 1984 Columbia Pictures movie Ghostbusters.. Egon Spengler comments to a bemused Office Manager Janine Melnitz whilst setting up her desktop computer that..
"Print is dead"
Egon was deadly serious as he always was.. Yet, when you think about it..
The classic comedy has delivered a profound statement for today..
Despite decades of digital transformation, I’m still amazed at how many organisations rely on paper. Reports are printed for meetings. Contracts are physically signed and stored in a secure location. Memos, notices, and forms still pile up on desks. And yet, every one of those printed pages represents wasted time, wasted money, and wasted opportunity. This is significantly more prevalent in the public sector.
Why Print Has No Place in a Modern Business
Cost – Printing, paper, ink, maintenance, and storage aren’t “small overheads.” They quietly consume thousands each year that could be better spent on people or innovation.
Sustainability – Every sheet of paper has a carbon footprint. In a time of climate pledges and ESG commitments, continuing to print feels contradictory at best, negligent at worst.
Efficiency – Digital workflows are faster, more secure, and more traceable. Searching an archive folder takes seconds online — versus hours in a filing cabinet.
Culture – Printing reinforces old habits. Digital-first organisations foster collaboration, agility, and adaptability. Paper-first organisations slow themselves down.
What to Do Instead
Adopt e-signatures – secure, legally binding, and far quicker than waiting for “wet ink.”
Embrace collaborative tools – Teams, Miro, Confluence, or even a shared PDF beats a stack of handouts every time.
Reframe your meetings – If you need to print slides, it probably means your meeting design isn’t engaging enough.
Make sustainability a principle, not a poster – Ban printing by default, allow it only by exception.
The Bottom Line
We don’t need paper to prove we’re working. We don’t need a printout to legitimise decisions. We don’t need endless copies “just in case.”.
I have spoken to customers during my research who insist that they read better from a paper copy, and they find it difficult on their eyes. I am totally the same, and it is an adjustment, but this is readily done through settings and device management.
Many devices now have a paperwhite/e-reader function with less glare and are designed for that very purpose.
How much time is wasted by teams hunting for toners, deliveries being missed for supplies, and automatic systems designed to recognise stocks running low failing to deliver?
If Egon Spengler were running operations today, he’d be right:
Print is dead. The question is: will your business finally let it rest in peace?
If you are haunted by extreme print costs, rampant toner disappearances and symmetrical paper stacking.. Who ya gonna call?
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Busting makes me feel good
Confession Time: I am a part-time honorary Ghostbuster.. True Story.. Lots of fun at conventions and events. Gets me out of the house and yes, busting makes me feel good..
👉 What’s your organisation’s approach to printing? Are you still finding paper creeping back into your processes, or have you fully embraced digital-first?
If you have gained insight from this post, please comment, share, and join my mission to improve services and deliverables.
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