When you create a new document inside Microsoft Word 2007 using the default settings, the page margins are set to 1" indicating the non-printable space around the edges of the page. In case of Word 2003, the default print margins are higher by a quarter-inch.
A study indicates that decreasing this default print margin width in Word from 1.25 inches to 0.75 inch would result in average paper savings of 4.75 percent. And you just don’t save on paper but also trees and money.
As most Microsoft Office users are less likely to fiddle with the "factory defaults," actress Tamara Krinsky has launched an online campaign called "Change the Margins" that will urge Microsoft to reduce the default printing margins from 1" to .75" so that Word becomes a more environment-friendly software. Her mantra:
ChangeTheMargins.com from Tamara Krinsky via Washington Post
Related: Environment Friendly Working Style
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/tutorials/default-print-margins-microsoft-word-climate-enviroment/2318/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org


Reader Comments
How about font size, I am sure font size has more impact on paper savings than margings. How about two side printing?
Written by Pravin Tamkhane on 02.19.08
What about readability? LaTeX creates documents with much wider margins, because research showed that this improves readability for example. That aspect might be much more important!
Written by AN on 02.19.08
I agree with AN. I’m all about readability. The more whitespace, the better! Yar!!
Written by George on 05.30.08
Can’t change the margins in my basic WORD document template. When I open the template and/or a fresh doc, the margins are expressed in Points. I change the template to inches (which I prefer) and save it. When I reopen it, the Points settings are back! Cany anyone advise me?
Written by Don Ragland on 07.10.08
Bah humbug. As a college student, I am severely against this campaign, unless professors stay up with the trend and make paper lengths shorter.
Written by Bill on 03.26.09