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The way people approach printing has changed dramatically in recent years. Remote working, cloud storage, and the rise of digital tools mean many households no longer feel the need to own a home printer. At the same time, printing remains an essential requirement for many everyday situations. This contrast has created new opportunities for shared, on-demand solutions that make printing accessible without device ownership. Canon’s Print in City is one such approach, aiming to simplify how people access print services in public spaces rather than visiting a print service provider.
Why Access to Printing Still Matters
Even in an increasingly digital world, there are plenty of moments when a printed document is required. Students often need to submit assignments in hard copy. Job seekers preparing CVs or application forms may prefer or be asked to present them on paper. Travelers might need a printed boarding pass. Small businesses often require physical copies of contracts or presentations.
Keypoint Intelligence’s 2024 Print in your Lifestyle primary research suggests that younger people are most likely to use printing services. Libraries and universities continue to report steady demand for public printing services. This illustrates an ongoing need: While the frequency of printing may have declined, the importance of having reliable access has not.
Traditional Public Printing Challenges
For many, traditional public printing is a frustrating experience. Locating a suitable printer can be time-consuming and, once found, the process often involves multiple steps. Users may need to e-mail files to a library, rely on staff assistance, or provide cash payment at a counter. For the organizations providing the service, managing hardware, handling payments, and supporting users can also be burdensome.
This complexity means that what should be a quick task—printing a few pages—can become a slow, inconvenient process. Recognizing these inefficiencies, new models are emerging that aim to make public printing as intuitive as any other digital service.
Introducing the Print in City Approach
Canon’s Print Share Service, Print in City, is a modern alternative to traditional public printing. The service becomes accessible to citizens when owners of Canon multifunction devices choose to activate it on their machines—enabling public access to printing, copying, and scanning. While Canon provides the technology, the availability of the service is driven by individual device owners, making it a community-enabled solution rather than a Canon-managed one.
The solution is intended to be simple, self-service, and secure. Users can upload their documents digitally, choose where to collect them, and pay in a way that suits their needs. The approach mirrors wider developments in the sharing economy, where services such as coworking spaces, ridesharing, and bike rentals make access more important than ownership. In the same way, Print in City reframes printing as a service to be used when required, rather than a responsibility to maintain at home.
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Print at a growing range of city locations
(Source: Canon Europe) |
How It Works in Practice
The service is built around a straightforward workflow:
- A user identifies the nearest participating printer, often in a library, university, or public office through the web or mobile app.
- Documents are submitted digitally via app, website, or driver.
- Payment can be made as a registered user or through a guest option, giving flexibility to those who need a one-time print.
- At the device, users enter a secure code or use the app to release their prints.
By removing unnecessary steps and staff involvement, the process becomes quicker and more reliable, while also being accessible to a wider audience. The advantages of a social, on-demand access to printing can also vary depending on perspective:
- Individuals gain access to professional-quality printing without the ongoing costs of ownership, maintenance, or consumables.
- Communities and institutions—such as councils, libraries, or universities—can offer a valuable service to residents, students, or visitors without needing to take on additional IT or payment responsibilities.
- Organizations can use it to extend services to the public while continuing to support their own internal needs on the same devices.
This range of benefits demonstrates why on-demand print services are being adopted in diverse environments. Being a cloud-based solution there is no server to maintain terminals or devices to attach. Power and internet connection is all that is needed to be up and running—and asset owners get to keep the revenues.
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Access you print queue at the device or on your mobile app
(Source: Canon Europe). |
Early Deployment and Growth
The service has already been introduced in several UK cities, including deployments across libraries and council locations. Universities are beginning to explore it to support students, while other sectors such as retail and hospitality are considering its potential. Expansion across Europe is planned, reflecting the broader applicability of shared print services in many different contexts.
While it remains an emerging model, early adoption indicates a strong interest from institutions and individuals in finding more convenient ways to handle occasional printing needs.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
Print in City reflects a wider shift in how we use technology and public services. As ownership of home printers matures, the need for occasional, reliable access to print can be met through shared solutions. Canon’s model addresses this in a way that feels aligned with other parts of the sharing economy.
While it is unlikely to replace personal or office printers altogether, Print in City offers a practical middle ground. For communities, students, and professionals on the move, it provides a modern and flexible way to access print without unnecessary complexity. In an era where convenience and sustainability are increasingly important, solutions like Print in City may become a standard feature of urban life.
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