Printing costs can add up quickly, especially if you use your printer frequently for work, school, or business. Ink and toner cartridges are often expensive, but the good news is that there are several ways to save money on printer ink and toner without compromising print quality.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to print, keep reading to discover practical and cost-effective strategies to reduce ink cartridge usage and make your cartridges last longer.
1. Choose a Printer with Low-Cost Ink or Toner
The first step to saving money starts with your printer choice. Some printers consume more ink than others, and some have expensive cartridges with low page yields.
What to Look for When Buying a Printer?
✔ Ink-efficient printers (like EcoTank or LaserJet models)
✔ High-yield cartridges that print more pages
✔ Refillable ink tank printers instead of traditional cartridges
💡 Pro Tip: Laser printers with toner cartridges are cheaper per page than inkjet printers if you print a lot of documents.
2. Use Printer Settings to Reduce Ink Usage
Most people don’t realize that changing a few printer settings can significantly cut down ink consumption.
Best Settings to Reduce Ink and Toner Usage:
🖨 Draft Mode: Prints faster and uses less ink—perfect for internal documents.
🔍 Grayscale Printing: Uses black ink instead of color, saving expensive color ink.
📏 Adjust Print Quality: Lower DPI (dots per inch) for non-essential prints.
📑 Print Multiple Pages Per Sheet: Useful for notes and presentations.
How to Access These Settings?
- Windows: Control Panel → Devices & Printers → Printer Preferences
- Mac: System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → Options & Supplies
3. Buy High-Yield or Compatible Cartridges
Instead of standard ink and toner cartridges, consider:
✅ High-yield cartridges – These print 2-3x more pages than standard ones, reducing long-term costs.
✅ Compatible cartridges – Third-party brands often offer the same quality at a fraction of the price.
✅ Remanufactured cartridges – Recycled and refilled, these are both budget-friendly and eco-friendly.
💡 Pro Tip: Always check if your printer supports third-party or high-yield cartridges before purchasing.
4. Print Only What You Need
It may sound simple, but reducing unnecessary printing is one of the easiest ways to make ink last longer.
📌 Quick Tips to Reduce Unnecessary Printing:
- Use digital documents instead of printing hard copies.
- Preview before printing to avoid mistakes and wasted pages.
- Print double-sided (duplex printing) to cut paper usage in half.
- Remove unnecessary images and graphics before printing text documents.
5. Store Ink & Toner Properly to Prevent Waste
Ink cartridges dry out if not used for long periods, and toner can become clumpy if stored improperly. To extend the life of your cartridges:
✔ Keep cartridges in their original packaging until ready to use.
✔ Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
✔ Print at least once a week to prevent ink from drying up.
✔ Shake toner cartridges gently if prints start fading to redistribute the toner evenly.
6. Refill & Recycle Cartridges Instead of Buying New Ones
Instead of buying a brand-new cartridge every time, you can:
🔄 Refill cartridges – Many stores offer ink refilling services at a lower cost.
♻ Recycle old cartridges – Some brands give discounts or store credit for returning empty cartridges.
🛒 Buy refilled cartridges – Pre-refilled ink and toner cartridges are cheaper and just as effective.
💡 Did You Know? Some office supply stores like Staples & HP offer trade-in programs where you can exchange empty cartridges for discounts on new ones!
7. Use Printer Subscription Programs for Cheaper Ink
Some printer brands now offer subscription services that automatically deliver ink or toner when you’re running low.
Popular options include:
- HP Instant Ink – Charges based on pages printed, not ink used.
- Epson ReadyPrint – Ink tank refills for a fixed monthly fee.
- Canon Auto-Replenishment – Saves money by delivering ink only when needed.
These plans can save up to 50% on ink costs, especially if you print frequently.
8. Try Eco-Friendly Fonts & Smart Printing Techniques
Did you know that some fonts use less ink than others? Switching to ink-efficient fonts can reduce ink consumption by up to 30%.
Best Ink-Saving Fonts:
✔ Garamond
✔ Ryman Eco
✔ Century Gothic
✔ Times New Roman
Bonus Tip:
Use Ecofont, a font designed specifically to use less ink by creating tiny holes in letters, making prints lighter but still readable!
Final Thoughts: The Best Ways to Save Money on Printer Ink & Toner
Printing doesn’t have to be expensive! By using high-yield cartridges, adjusting printer settings, and printing efficiently, you can significantly cut down ink and toner costs.
💡 Top 3 Takeaways to Reduce Printing Costs:
1️⃣ Choose a printer with cost-effective cartridges – Ink tank or laser printers save more in the long run.
2️⃣ Use smart printer settings – Draft mode, grayscale, and duplex printing make ink last longer.
3️⃣ Refill, recycle, and use compatible cartridges – Avoid overpaying for OEM (original brand) cartridges.
By following these tips, you can enjoy high-quality prints while keeping your ink and toner expenses under control! 😊