Every year, campus leaders face a familiar question: Is our print environment ready for what students, faculty, and staff will need next semester? 

But 2026 raises the stakes. Enrollment pressures, shifting budget cycles, accessibility requirements, and increasingly digital-first students are transforming how colleges and universities deliver information, services, and support. Print remains central to that mission, but only when it’s reliable, equitable, and built for modern campus life. 

This year-end checklist helps institutions assess where they stand today so campus leaders can build a stronger, more accessible, student-centered print strategy for 2026

Higher education in-plants do far more than produce course packets and event posters. They fuel the traditions, pride, and emotional connection that define campus life — and they do it quietly, consistently, and with deep service to students, faculty, alums, and the broader community. 

In-plants are often the unsung teams that keep the heartbeat of the campus running. Their work touches everything from admissions outreach to commencement memories, athletic spirit to annual giving campaigns. And when institutions invest in their in-plant operations, they aren’t just improving workflows; they’re strengthening loyalty, engagement, and long-term institutional success. 

Below is how in-plants deliver year-round value far beyond the press. 

While classrooms become increasingly digital, one truth remains: students still rely on printed materials to learn, retain information, and stay organized. Print isn’tjust paper; it’sa tool for equity, accessibility, and academic confidence. When schools make printing affordable, secure, and easy to access, they’renot just providing a service — they’reactively investing in student success.

In higher education, cybersecurity is often seen as an IT department concern, but every connected device on campus plays a role in the school’s overall security posture. In-plant print centers are no exception. 

From student transcripts and financial aid packets to HR files and research data, campus print systems handle a massive amount of sensitive information daily. Yet, many in-plants don’t realize that their networked printers and multifunction devices can be an open door for cyberattacks if not adequately secured.  

Schools today face a balancing act: embracing digital transformation while protecting sensitive student and staff information. From student records and financial aid forms to disciplinary files and health documentation, educational institutions handle vast amounts of confidential data daily. With the rise of cyber threats, proper document management has become more than an operational necessity; it’s a critical pillar of data privacy and compliance.  

In this blog, we’ll explore the top cybersecurity considerations for schools and how a secure document management system can help safeguard sensitive data. 

Higher education in-plants handle some of the most sensitive information on campus: student records, financial aid documents, admissions materials, and even faculty contracts. With this responsibility comes the need for secure, compliant, and efficient printing processes. As data breaches and compliance audits become more common, adopting secure print practices is no longer optional — it’s essential. 

Schools generate and store thousands of documents every year — from student records and health information to financial aid files and testing data. With increasing regulatory requirements, such as FERPA and HIPAA, as well as rising cybersecurity threats, it has never been more critical for schools to safeguard sensitive information. Secure document handling isn’tjust about compliance; it’s about building trust with students, parents, and the community.