An imaging apparatus includes a print engine for printing an image on a sheet of media. A sheet feed mechanism is configured to feed the sheet of media through the print engine. A controller is communicatively coupled to the sheet feed mechanism and the print engine to operate the sheet feed mechanism and the print engine in a selected one of a plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes include a continuum representing a plurality of traditional printing modes, the continuum being defined in terms of print quality versus mode throughput rate wherein a decrease in print quality corresponds to an increase in mode throughput rate. A Green Mode is located outside the continuum.