The Magic Of Print-on-demand

When the Texas Agricultural Extension Service cleaned out its warehouse several years ago, it recycled 36 tons of paper. Thanks to on-demand printing, those days are gone for good.

Ralph Piper's print shop is famous within the Texas Agricultural Extension Service for performing magic.

In one case, the communications unit, which supports the Extension Service, was responsible for creating a manual on drought response in 36 hours for a federal government conference. Input was accepted and compiled electronically from extension services and experts all over the country. The 300-page file was transmitted to the print shop Thursday night. The shop created 500 complete sets in 24 hours and shipped them out Saturday for delivery Monday morning.