subject: Tips for Efficient Printer Ink Usage [print this page] Buy the best printerBuy the best printer. The best doesn't necessarily mean the expensive ones. It is about purchasing the right printer that will fit your need. Here are a few questions to ask yourself and do a little research about: What type of printer do I need? Is it going to be an inkjet printer or a laser printer? How much will the ink cartridges cost me? Is it safe to use refilled ink cartridges or generic cartridges with this specific brand?
Print only what you need. If you want to print something from the Internet, highlight the text that you want to be printed then use the "Print Selection" in the print menu to avoid printing links, ads and spaces. Learn how to bookmark web pages so that you can just go to the webpage anytime rather than printing them. Also, print something at least once a week since your ink cartridges will dry up if you're not using it at all.
Learn the economic way of printing. If the document that you want to print is not for presentation purposes, use the fast/draft print quality. If you are printing a black and white document/picture, use grayscale printing. This option means the printer will only utilize the black ink. Some printers mix the colored with the black cartridge to print a black and white document. This will definitely save you ink plus there's really no significant difference with the slightly lower quality.
Leave the printer on. If from to time you will be printing something, just leave the printer on than turning it on/off repeatedly. The printer uses a small amount of ink when turned on for it has to detect if there's still ink left in the cartridge.
Look around for best offers. Look around for stores that sell original cartridges at a lower price. Or you can search online for websites that provide coupons for online stores. I found out that there are stores that trade-in your empty cartridge for a new cartridge at a lower price. Also, you can join your printer manufacturer's reward program to get discounts and free shipping.
Consider using generic or refilled cartridges. A generic cartridge is manufactured by a company other than your original printer manufacturer. They are priced up to 75% less than your original cartridge. Through the years, the development of these generic cartridges has improved, and now prints with the same if not better quality than original cartridges. But you have to make sure that the generic cartridge is compatible with your printer model otherwise it won't work and will just damage your printer.
On the other hand, a refilled cartridge uses your original printer manufacturer's cartridge replacing only the ink for inkjet printers and toner for laser printers. If you are not comfortable in buying refill kits and injecting new ink into your cartridges, there are stores who will do it for you. This will not only save money but also your time.
