Basically, my goal is to understand what proper bitcoin storage would mean, and what solid ways there are for the general public. No I don't mean the few enthusiasts out there. It's the same thing how if your uncle asks you what new computer he should get, you don't tell him to build his own and get a GTX 790 or whatever. We're talking general public.
We are still very early in the life cycle of bitcoin. Asking about "solid ways there are for the general public" to create secure long-term storage of bitcoin right now is a bit like asking how about "solid ways there are for the general public" to acquire a home computer in the early 1970's. Back then your uncle would have to do one of the following:
- Learn to assemble a computer himself
- Get a trusted friend or family member to assemble the computer for him
- Wait about 5 years until an entrepreneurial innovator started selling reliable pre-built computers out of the box
If you aren't ready to learn how to securely store bitcoins offline yourself, and you don't have a trusted friend or family member that can do it for you, then you are left with waiting until an entrepreneurial innovator starts providing secure offline storage "out of the box".
Note that a printer is not necessary.
If your are careful to write VERY legibly, you can simply write down your private key on a piece of paper with a pencil. Make sure you don't make any mistakes while writing it though or you'll never again be able to access those bitcoins.
You can even get some grid paper and fill in the boxes to create your own QR-Code.