Back-to-School Print Solutions: Simple Fixes That Work

August and September are exciting months in schools, but let’s be honest, they can also be overwhelming. Between preparing classrooms, welcoming new students, and hosting events, educators and administrators are often juggling a mile-long list of tasks.

The good news? Many of the challenges that surface at the start of the year can be solved with small, intentional changes. With an ecolor+ poster printer, schools can quickly create the visuals they need to stay organized, boost school pride, and keep students engaged.

Here’s a look at some of the most common back-to-school challenges, and how schools are solving them with print.

Problem 1: Hallways and Classrooms Feel Bare

Solution: Build Culture Through Visuals

Walking into a school with empty walls can make the building feel sterile and unwelcoming. Research shows that positive, visually engaging spaces increase student motivation and sense of belonging (Edutopia).

With your ecolor+ printer, you can:

• Print banners with mottos, mascots, or vision statements for entryways

• Create custom decals with school colors and logos for hallways and gyms

• Involve students in designing displays to give them ownership

As one PSI customer shared: “The students enjoy working with the ecolor because it is so creative.” —Suzanne Egan-Raleigh, Teacher, New Road School of Somerset

Small updates like these send a big message: this is a place where students belong.

Problem 2: Recognizing Students Takes Too Much Time

Solution: Print Recognition Materials in Minutes

Student recognition is powerful, but programs like “Student of the Month” often fade away when creating posters and certificates feels too time-consuming.

On-demand printing changes that. Schools are using their ecolor+ printers to:

• Launch recurring recognition programs with templates that are easy to update

• Enlarge student artwork or essays for hallway displays

• Celebrate athletes and scholars with banners, locker tags, and posters

• Promote clubs and activities with colorful posters in cafeterias or common spaces

When recognition is quick and sustainable, it sticks, and it helps students feel valued all year long.

Problem 3: Students Struggle to Retain Key Concepts

Solution: Reinforce Learning with Intentional Visuals

Teachers know the value of anchor charts and graphic organizers, but creating them by hand takes time. That’s why many schools are turning to their printers to support instruction with on-demand visuals.

Research backs this up: according to Edutopia, visuals support memory, help students chunk information, and spark curiosity. But they’re most effective when educators share the intent behind them.

With your ecolor+ printer, you can:

• Create anchor charts, rubrics, and graphic organizers that are ready to post

• Print math diagrams and bilingual word walls to support all learners

• Provide test-taking strategies and standards in highly visible spots

Pro Tip: Before posting a visual, explain its purpose. Ask students what they notice, what questions it sparks, and how it connects to their learning. Better yet, co-create visuals with students to deepen understanding and ownership.

Problem 4: Students Need Real-World Skills

Solution: Give Them Ownership Through STEP

Clubs and extracurriculars build leadership and teamwork—but PSI’s Student Entrepreneur Program (STEP) goes further. It gives students the opportunity to run a fully functioning print shop right inside their school.

STEP students:

• Manage printing requests from staff and administrators

• Communicate with “customers” and fulfill real orders

• Gain business and design skills while collaborating as a team

Programs like STEP align with national research: extracurricular involvement helps students build communication, time management, and confidence (NCES). And because their work directly shapes the school environment, students see an immediate impact.

Problem 5: Back-to-School Events Sneak Up Fast

Solution: Print What You Need, When You Need It

From open houses to orientations, back-to-school events can feel like a race to the finish. Waiting on outside vendors for signage or banners adds stress and costs.

With an in-house poster printer, schools can:

• Print event signage and lawn signs on demand

• Create large-format calendars to keep everyone organized

• Produce safety signage and reminders in minutes

No more last-minute runs to a print shop. Schools can adapt quickly, stay on schedule, and focus on what matters most—students.

Start the Year Strong

The start of the year doesn’t have to be stressful. With the ecolor+ poster printer, schools have a flexible tool to solve everyday challenges—whether it’s building culture, recognizing students, reinforcing learning, or preparing for events.

Visuals aren’t just decorations; they’re powerful learning and community-building tools when used intentionally. As Edutopia notes, the key is helping students understand why visuals are there and involving them in the process. With PSI, you have everything you need to make that possible.

👉 Want more inspiration? Explore the PSI blog for creative project ideas and customer success stories.