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June 1, 2010

WFMW- Make printer ink last longer

90% of the time when I print something - it's a recipe, coupon or some sort of document. Being the frugal person I am....I try to stretch my printer ink as far as I can. So today I thought I'd share my little tip with you:

When I print something unimportant (which is most of the time) I change my printer setting to "quick print" or I think my old printer called it "draft" .
It uses less ink and prints much faster.
The quality, to me is nearly the same. The print is not light at all.


If I'm printing a coupon that has color, I change my print settings to "print in black and white" and I still use the "quick print"........no need to waste my color ink on a coupon!

Here's how it looks on my printer.

Go to "file", then "print".

When the print box comes up -
you should have something that say's "Properties" - click that


Another box then pops up with your printer properties(see below)

Automatic is my default setting - so I change it to "Quick Print".

*doing it this way will just change the settings for this print, if you want to keep it set this way, you will need to go in and change your default settings...to me, I like to keep the default set on automatic*

If I have something in color, that I don't NEED in color - I also check the box Print in black and white.


Press OK, then print!

Easy peasy, and I save a small fortune on ink!....we even print most school projects this way with no issues.

*See my low ink indicator? I bought this printer a year ago- that "order ink" indicator just showed up the other day - I have ink ready to go, but I wont replace it until my pages print too light to read.

works  for me wednesday at we are that family

Head over to Works-for-Me Wednesday for more tips!!....this week has a
"Mom I'm bored" theme (not mandatory)......but if you're looking for tips to keep your small people busy for the summer, or have some to share....then this is the place to BE!

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15 Comments:

Anonymous Amy @ Raising Arrows said...

Ooo! I needed this reminder! I always forget to do this.

6/1/10, 10:35 PM  
Blogger Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Thanks for your tip. Great information. Love & blessings from NC!

6/1/10, 11:02 PM  
Anonymous Kristen said...

Thanks for the great tip!

6/1/10, 11:19 PM  
Blogger a little bit of everything said...

Didn't know about the "quick print" option but often use "grayscale" with no color to print a coupon or something that just doesn't need to be done in full black and white or color.
And that "your ink is low" message comes way before the ink is close to being out. I too wait until the page is too light to read!

6/1/10, 11:24 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

Thanks for the tip, I needed it

6/1/10, 11:28 PM  
Blogger Shelby said...

I didn't even know this was possible!

6/2/10, 12:26 AM  
Blogger Amy K said...

Another great tip for your readers...
Indeed, I do the same. On an HP printer it's FastDraft. I've been trying to train my teenage daughter to use this as well.

6/2/10, 4:16 AM  
Blogger FOODESSA said...

Cheryl you are spot on. I'm so glad someone brought this up. Two years ago I bought this laser HP. The first year alone practically cost me the printer in the ink toner alone. Due to my negligence I had let this go on for too long. I finally had a read about using the printer more effeciently.
My tip for B and W Laser Printers:
Click first Properties > press Economode. To save ink further > click 300dpi. Lastly if there are photos > click Custon > then click print photos lighter.
Hope this was helpful...now I can splurge on a manicure once and a while ;o)
Great visiting your site.
Flavourful wishes, Claudia

6/2/10, 4:20 AM  
Blogger Julie Bagamary said...

My printer allows to print in "draft" which also uses less ink and it's not noticeable.

6/2/10, 6:49 AM  
Blogger Parenting in blue jeans said...

I keep forgetting to do this....Every time I have to get a new cartridge I remember for 2 sec.

Visiting from WFMW

6/2/10, 7:24 AM  
Blogger Jenny said...

Great tip! I print a lot of coupons and I hate how they have so many colors on them. It's like the coupon and then the bottom 2/3 of the page is a big ad in black and red! Annoying!

6/2/10, 8:27 AM  
Blogger Vivobello said...

Cool! I had no idea about quick print or fast draft! Thanks.

6/2/10, 10:20 AM  
Blogger Tanya said...

Great tip...I do that all the time. I can't stand to waste ink! :)

6/2/10, 11:52 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

What a great tip! Printer ink can be so expensive. I have never thought of this. Thanks for sharing!

6/2/10, 1:40 PM  
Blogger bridget {bake at 350} said...

This is a great tip! I used to switch to B&W, but I've been lazy. I've never even noticed the "quick print!" I have a feeling my hubby is going to be very happy with me! :) Thank you!

Do you know sometimes it's cheaper to buy a new PRINTER than ink refills?!? That's CRAZY!

6/3/10, 9:37 PM  

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