Print in “Draft Mode”

Depending on what you will use your document for, you may consider doing all your prints in “Draft Mode”. “Draft mode” uses less ink resulting in print that is slightly grey in colour or a shade lighter than the standard dense black ink used by most printers. While this may be suitable for prints you do for yourself, use the regular printing mode for more formal documents. A good way to ensure that you won’t be printing in the regular print mode at all times is to set the default to “Draft Mode”.

Print smaller text sizes

If you are one of those people who prefers to print in larger fonts this may actually be working against you. Use smaller fonts and remove any “Bold” formatting from the document. By choosing more condensed fonts and smaller font sizes, for example no larger than font size 12, you will decrease the amount of ink required to print each document. Additionally you will waste less paper printing.

Save paper by forgoing double spacing and printing on both sides

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For larger documents especially those that may require ten pages or more, forgo double spacing and use single spaced formatting to reduce the number of pages that will be required. While double spacing will make reading easier it will waste unnecessary paper, albeit no more ink will be used in either single or double spaced formatting. You should also set your printer to print on both pages of your paper. Some printers have an automatic setting to do this while with others you will need to turn over manually.

Always use “Print Preview” and “Shrink to Fit”

Use print preview to check how many pages and the formatting before printing. You run the risk of printing a document that is not easily read or that goes beyond the formatting lines, meaning that many of your words will be cut short making the print unusable. After using print preview make the formatting changes necessary to ensure a proper print. When printing from a web browser use shrink to fit to guarantee that the document will fit on one the necessary amount of pages.

Buy Compatible Printer Cartridges or have your Cartridges refilled

You may save money by purchasing generic or compatible ink cartridges or toner cartridges. Not all brands will have generic versions available; however you can check several online stores for the brands that does. Another way to save on the price of replacing the ink is to use refilled cartridges. By having your old printer cartridges refilled you may be able to save a substantial amount of money. The quality of refilled cartridges will not be suitable for photographic printing. However you will still be able to do regular prints without any noticeable difference in quality.

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Nick is a self-confessed computer geek and printing enthusiast, he writes for Ink Factory, a British company that has been in the printer supplies business for over ten years; as well as selling ink cartridges, the Company also operates Inkfactory.org, a site that promotes ink cartridge recycling.

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