Saving Money on Printer Supplies

During these hard economic times, we’re all searching for ways to save money on basic consumer products. Although the price of printers remains low, the money spent on ink cartridges adds up quickly, especially if you do a lot of high-volume printing. Over the lifespan of your printer, it’s not unusual for your ink and toner costs to exceed the original price of the printer itself. So take a look at this guide, and you’ll find some simple solutions to saving money on printer supplies.

1.)    Print in “Draft Mode”: Most modern printers have a setting that uses less ink for each print job. Although your text may be lighter than normal, you should take advantage of this great feature when you don’t need perfect results.

2.)    Buy in bulk: Buying printer supplies in bulk may cost a lot up front, but it’s a great way to save money in the long run. Most manufacturers offer significant savings if you purchase their consumables in large quantities, including paper, ink and toner.

3.)    Opt for remanufactured or recycled cartridges: These cartridges go through a recycling process, so that they can be sold and reused at a much lower cost. During this process, the returned ink cartridge is disassembled and cleaned thoroughly. Once they are refilled with fresh ink, each individual cartridge is inspected and then tested to ensure premium quality.

4.)    Proper installation and storage: After you remove the ink cartridge from its package, make sure you install it immediately to prevent any ink from drying out. If you’re storing your cartridge for future use, make sure you put it in a cool, dry place that’s protected from dirt and dust. You’ll also need to keep track of the expiration date—using the cartridge after this date may result in low quality printing or clogging of the printer nozzle. 

5.)    Clean the cartridge regularly: As you continue to use your printer, a small amount of ink will be left in the nozzle after each print job. Over time, this dried ink will build up, causing the device to jam or to produce substandard quality output. Nowadays, most printers come with a maintenance program which can be used to remove clogging. You may have to pay a little extra, but it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.

6.)    Look for economical combination packs: Several manufacturers now offer their customers an economical combination pack of toner and ink. Instead of just monochrome or color, these packs typically include black, white and color printer ink. Discount kits are made with quality components and help save the environment by reusing supplies. If you’re not sure which product is right for you, try speaking with customer service personnel. He/she will help you find just the right toner cartridge for your needs, and then make suggestions on refill or compatible cartridges to save you even more money.

The best way to find great deals on ink cartridges is to shop online. If you choose to go this route, look for online retailers that ship for a low cost or no fee at all.

Stacy Page
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