Printer cartridges are one of the biggest ongoing costs for home and office printing. The good news? A few simple habits can help you get more pages out of every cartridge and reduce your printing costs significantly.
1. Print in Draft Mode for Everyday Documents
Most printers offer a "Draft" or "Economy" print mode that uses significantly less ink or toner. For internal documents, notes, and drafts, this mode is perfectly adequate and can extend cartridge life by 30–50%.
2. Use Print Preview Before Printing
Always preview your document before printing to avoid wasted pages. Catching formatting errors before they print saves both paper and ink.
3. Print in Grayscale When Color Isn't Needed
Color cartridges deplete faster than black cartridges. Switch to grayscale printing for text-heavy documents to preserve your color ink for when it really matters.
4. Store Cartridges Properly
If you have spare cartridges, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep them in their original sealed packaging until ready to use. Proper storage can extend shelf life by years.
5. Don't Let Your Printer Sit Idle Too Long
Inkjet printers in particular can have their print heads dry out if unused for extended periods. Print a test page at least once a week to keep the ink flowing and prevent clogs.
6. Shake Toner Cartridges When Low
When your laser printer signals low toner, remove the cartridge and gently shake it side to side. This redistributes the remaining toner and can give you dozens of additional pages before replacement is truly needed.