Printer - Password locked?

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funnyfela

350 posts

Ultimate Geek

#247826 25-Feb-2019 11:42

Hi guys,

Had a google but haven't been able to find an answer, without changing user accounts etc.

At work we have 2 printers in the office (both local on 1 computer), Black laser and colour injet.

We are having issues with people wasting the colour ink compared to our toner a plenty. Is there a simple answer to require a password to print any jobs to said colour printer?

Otherwise I'll have to go the option of making a new general access user account with restricted access

If you have to run heating in winter, you don’t own enough computers.

ResponseMediaNZ

518 posts

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#2186819 25-Feb-2019 12:03

What make and models are they?

neb

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#2186856 25-Feb-2019 13:05

ResponseMediaNZ:
What make and models are they?

+1. With some of the bigger printers you have to authenticate yourself before they'll print, and you could set a policy there that only allows colour printing from certain accounts.

A better option though would be to B&W all print jobs through the general queue and only allow colour printing through a special queue.

Alternatively, go through the print logs to identify one or two main offenders doing it, take them out the front of the building, and have them shot in full view of everyone else. A bit drastic, but should get the message across, and even if it doesn't you've dealt with the main offenders.

funnyfela

350 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2186857 25-Feb-2019 13:05

ResponseMediaNZ:

What make and models are they?

The colour one I'm trying to password protect is Brother DCP-540CN

If you have to run heating in winter, you don’t own enough computers.

funnyfela

350 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2186858 25-Feb-2019 13:07

neb:
ResponseMediaNZ:

What make and models are they?

+1. With some of the bigger printers you have to authenticate yourself before they'll print, and you could set a policy there that only allows colour printing from certain accounts. A better option though would be to B&W all print jobs through the general queue and only allow colour printing through a special queue. Alternatively, go through the print logs to identify one or two main offenders doing it, take them out the front of the building, and have them shot in full view of everyone else. A bit drastic, but should get the message across, and even if it doesn't you've dealt with the main offenders.

Think way smaller scale lol

One office pc, hospitality business. No user accounts on pc just auto booting to generic account. No servers or anything.

If you have to run heating in winter, you don’t own enough computers.

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2186859 25-Feb-2019 13:07

Often i find places set the printer settings to default to Black and white. Most users wont change this unless they have to.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

Behodar

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#2186863 25-Feb-2019 13:11

hio77:

Often i find places set the printer settings to default to Black and white. Most users wont change this unless they have to.

But then you'll just have changed the problem to people using the expensive black ink instead of the cheap black toner.

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2186864 25-Feb-2019 13:12

Behodar:

hio77:

Often i find places set the printer settings to default to Black and white. Most users wont change this unless they have to.

But then you'll just have changed the problem to people using the expensive black ink instead of the cheap black toner.

set a script to reset it daily?

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

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neb

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#2186911 25-Feb-2019 13:26

funnyfela:
One office pc, hospitality business. No user accounts on pc just auto booting to generic account. No servers or anything.

Ah, so no easy technological solution. In that case perhaps a stern reminder to staff, followed by a webcam to catch offenders? Treat it as something like pilfering from the till and take similar countermeasures.

SepticSceptic

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#2187646 26-Feb-2019 16:14

You could try something like Papercut NG, free for 5 users - you mentioned that you were using a single account.

https://www.papercut.com/products/ng/download/

You can set it to prompt for colour printing, disallow colour jobs, re-route black jobs to the laser, convert emails prints to greyscale, etc.

funnyfela

350 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2188402 27-Feb-2019 19:11

SepticSceptic:

You could try something like Papercut NG, free for 5 users - you mentioned that you were using a single account.

https://www.papercut.com/products/ng/download/

You can set it to prompt for colour printing, disallow colour jobs, re-route black jobs to the laser, convert emails prints to greyscale, etc.

ooooo Ill have a go :D

Thanks

If you have to run heating in winter, you don’t own enough computers.