Printing Guidance – Stewardship & Best Practices

Printing is a tool that supports ministry, but it also carries real costs through leases, supplies, and service contracts. As a church, we want to be wise stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. This means being intentional about what gets printed and looking for alternatives whenever possible.

❌ When to Avoid Printing

Before hitting print, ask if it’s truly needed. Avoid printing:

• Drafts that could be reviewed digitally.
• Multiple versions of a document when only the final version matters.
• Meeting agendas or notes that could be projected or shared in Teams/OneDrive.
• Materials intended only for “just in case” scenarios that end up unused.
• Personal items or content unrelated to ministry.

💡 Digital Alternatives

Instead of printing, consider these options:

• Microsoft Teams/OneDrive/SharePoint: Store, share, and review documents collaboratively.
• Digital Displays: Use TVs, tablets, or projectors for signage or instructions.
• Email or Digital Guides: Send participants a PDF or digital resource instead of paper.
• QR Codes: Link to online content for event materials, handouts, or sermon notes.

♻️ Ways to Reduce Waste

If you must print:

• Print double-sided whenever possible.
• Reduce font size or margins to fit content onto fewer pages.
• Combine multiple documents into one resource instead of separate handouts.
• Test small runs before committing to large batches.
• Collect leftover copies of things that can be used again at events to reuse or recycle.

🚦Rule of Thumb

Before printing, ask yourself:

• Does this directly support ministry in a way that cannot be done digitally?
• Would I feel comfortable explaining the cost of this print job to my campus leadership?
• Am I choosing the most resource-conscious way to accomplish this task?

If the answer is no, don’t print.