The report, entitled 'Smarter print management – controlling costs and environmental impacts in the United Kingdom', was undertaken by the independent economics consultancy, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

It found that operations in the public and private sector could save up to £360m from an annual bill of £5.8bn by bringing more outsourced work back in-house.

Such applications include pre-printed stationery, signage and business cards with CEBR estimating that two thirds of pre-printed stationery, half of marketing and commercial material and a quarter of professional signage under A3 size could be brought in-house.

The UK study also reported that anywhere between £500m and as much as £1.76bn could be saved by managing in-house printing more efficiently and effectively.

Ways in which this can be achieved include printing duplex, using mono engines wherever colour is not essential and minimising paper wastage.

According to Phil Scrase, UK managing director and vice president for the Western Region of OKI Printing Solutions, "there is an awful lot of expenditure on printing in the UK and people are increasingly thinking about ways in-houses can save money."

He added it is "clear" that cutting costs in this area could have a huge impact on  
business efficiency.

The main areas that could benefit from improved efficiencies are the education, architectural and technical as well as public administration and defence.

"There is a real opportunity here for ‘smart printing’, or better printing techniques, to make a significant contribution to improved productivity and competitive edge. In responding to this,

"OKI Printing Solutions has both the technology and knowledge to help organisations manage their in-house printing more cost-effectively," said Scrase