Ever sent a document to print, only to realise too late that you left it sitting in the printer tray, where anyone could see it? Or found yourself running across the office to collect prints from a busy machine? That’s where Follow Me Print (also called Pull Printing or Secure Release Printing) comes in.
It’s a simple but powerful system that makes printing more secure, efficient, and flexible – especially in offices with multiple printers or shared print stations.
How ‘Follow Me’ Print Works
Instead of printing immediately to a specific printer, your document is held in a secure queue until you’re ready to collect it.
Here’s how it works step by step:
1️⃣ Send the Print Job – You select “Follow Me Print” as your printer. Your document doesn’t print immediately but is securely stored in a central queue.
2️⃣ Job is Held in the Queue – The print job is linked to your user account and waits in the system until you physically release it.
3️⃣ Authenticate at Any Printer – When you’re ready, go to any compatible printer in the office and verify your identity using:
✅ Swipe Card – Tap your access card on the printer’s reader.
✅ PIN Code – Enter a secure PIN on the touchscreen.
✅ Mobile App – Use a company-approved app to authenticate.
✅ Username and Password – Log in manually (less common).
4️⃣ Release Your Print Job – After authentication, you’ll see all your pending print jobs on the screen. Select the ones you want, and they’ll print instantly.
🚀 Result? No more abandoned printouts, security risks, or wasted paper.
Why Use Follow Me Print?
✅ 1. Increased Document Security
Ever printed confidential information – only to find it missing from the tray before you got there? With Follow Me Print:
- Documents are never left unattended.
- Only the right person can release the print job.
- No risk of accidentally printing to the wrong printer.
Perfect for finance, HR, legal, and healthcare teams that deal with sensitive data.
✅ 2. Reduced Waste and Cost Savings
Did you know that 30% of office printouts are never collected? That’s a huge waste of paper and toner. With Follow Me Print:
- If a user changes their mind, they simply don’t release the job – saving paper.
- Uncollected print jobs auto-delete after a set time, further reducing waste.
- Businesses cut printing costs by preventing unnecessary prints.
✅ 3. More Flexibility for Users
Follow Me Print allows employees to:
- Collect prints from any available printer (great for hybrid offices).
- Print from a laptop, tablet, or phone and release jobs when needed.
- Avoid long queues at a single printer – just find a free one.
Especially useful in hot-desking environments, co-working spaces, or large office buildings.
✅ 4. Less Strain on IT Teams
With a single print queue, IT teams:
- Spend less time fixing print server issues.
- Don’t have to manage dozens of separate printers.
- Reduce helpdesk calls for “lost prints” or wrong printer selection.
How PaperCut Enhances Follow Me Print
Follow Me Print needs a print management system to function properly – this is where PaperCut comes in.
What PaperCut Does in a Follow Me Print Setup:
🖥 Manages the Central Print Queue – Holds print jobs securely until users release them.
🔐 Handles Authentication – Ensures only authorised users can release jobs.
📊 Tracks and Reports on Printing – Helps businesses monitor print usage and cut costs.
📱 Integrates with Mobile and Cloud Printing – Users can print from any device, not just company PCs.
⚙️ Works Across Different Printer Brands – No need to be locked into a single manufacturer.
Without a tool like PaperCut, managing secure print release, cost tracking, and authentication would be much harder.
Final Thoughts: Is Follow Me Print Right for You?
If your office prints regularly, Follow Me Print solves a lot of common headaches.
✔ Keeps confidential documents secure.
✔ Reduces wasted prints (saving paper, toner, and money).
✔ Gives users flexibility to print from any location.
✔ Makes IT’s job easier by simplifying printer management.
Many businesses pair Follow Me Print with PaperCut or similar software to enhance security, reporting, and efficiency.
🚀 Ready to improve your office printing? Look for Follow Me Print solutions that work with your existing printers – or explore PaperCut for seamless integration.
