On March 31, 2008 o·vert sent out an email letting the office know that all of the printers were set to default print double-sided.  This was part of our initiative to save paper (we also started purchasing 100% post-consumer recycled paper for the office). Employees could still print single-sided, they would just have to change the printer settings.

We did worry that more paper would get wasted by people who wanted to print single-sided (for client reports or transmittals) and forget to change the setting, but we decided that it wouldn’t create more paper waste than printing every job single-sided.

We ended up changing the settings on the printer that our accounting and marketing departments use back to single-sided, as the majority of their jobs (invoices and reports that go to clients) needed to be this way.

We learned from this experience that communication is paramount, and that you can never plan enough when rolling out a change like this.  Our IT department was inundated with requests from people who were upset because they weren’t given enough notice about the change and didn’t know how to print single-sided.  It wasn’t our intention to produce stress for an already busy workplace, and we learned that you have to consult everyone before-hand and make sure that all parties are aware of the changes.

Copy of email transmission sent March 31, 2008 8:47 AM

Attention Omicron!

Beginning today, and by decree of o·vert , all multi-function printers are modified to automatically print double-sided.  This will help us to reduce paper use, which in turn will offset the increased cost of 100% post-consumer recycled paper that the office is now buying.

To help alleviate the considerable stress this change is sure to cause, we provide the following Q&A:

Q. What if I need to print something single-sided?
A. You adjust the settings on a per-job basis, just as you once did to print double-sided

Q. I live under a rock and never once printed anything double-sided before. How do I adjust those settings?
A. Please ask one of the volunteers (listed below) to show you. It’s easy, we promise!

Q. I hate trees. Can I change it back permanently?
A. We wish you many splinters.  There is a way.  Ask one of the volunteers, and prepare yourself for some ridicule.

Q. Will AutoCAD or Revit drawings print double-sided now, too?
A. No (unless you print them to multi-page PDF first, and send the PDF to the printer)

Q. I’m scared of change!
A. Don’t worry, Eric has kindly volunteered to provide hugs to those in need.

The following people (at least one of whom sits right near YOU) have volunteered to assist as needed:
Carla S, Michelle L, Kevin, Amanda, Tammy, David F-B, Paul G and Tiina.

Thank you!
o·vert