Tray selection in printing may involve checking for the availability of paper trays which may provide increased paper throughput, and by postponing a switch to use such trays to help avoid excessive tray switching that could adversely affect paper throughput. When a higher ranked tray is unavailable, tray selection may involve checking the availability of lower ranked trays before the present tray is empty, and by postponing a switch to such trays to help avoid excessive tray switching. A change in printing condition may provide a convenient and opportune time to switch between trays without adversely affecting paper throughput.