Draft mode uses 50â75% less ink than normal mode. For internal documents, notes, or anything you don't need to look perfect, always print in draft mode.
Saves inkColor cartridges are expensive. Switch to grayscale/black-and-white mode in your print dialog for any document that doesn't need color. Color ink stays full longer.
Saves inkMost printers can print 2 or 4 pages per physical sheet of paper. Great for presentations or documents you're reading rather than archiving. Cuts paper use in half.
Saves moneyShaking ink cartridges is a myth. It can actually damage them. Instead, use your printer's software ink tracking to know when you really need to replace a cartridge.
Saves inkThe single biggest waste of ink and paper is a bad print. Always hit Print Preview to catch formatting issues, extra blank pages, or cut-off content before it prints.
Saves moneyThin, light-weight fonts like Garamond, Century Gothic, and Ecofont use significantly less ink than bold fonts like Arial Black or Times New Roman. Switch for everyday documents.
Saves inkRun a Nozzle Check Before Important Prints
Before printing anything important â a presentation, a photo, a contract â run a nozzle check pattern from your printer's maintenance menu. It takes 20 seconds and shows you whether all ink channels are working. Catching a clogged nozzle before the print saves paper, ink, and frustration.
Set your print dialog to match the paper you're using (plain, matte photo, glossy). Wrong settings cause bleeding, fading, or dull photos. This one setting change makes a huge quality difference.
Better qualityIf you don't print often, ink dries in the nozzles. Run the head cleaning utility from Printer Properties â Maintenance once a month (or whenever quality drops) to prevent streaks.
Better qualityAfter installing a new ink cartridge, run the color calibration tool in your printer settings. This aligns the new cartridge with your display and ensures accurate color output.
Better qualityInkjet prints are wet when they exit the printer. Let them sit for 30â60 seconds before stacking or handling to prevent smearing. For glossy photo paper, wait 5 minutes.
Better qualityUV light degrades plastic components and can dry out ink cartridges faster. Place your printer away from windows or direct sunlight. A consistent, cool environment is best.
Extends lifePressing the actual power button lets the printer park the print heads and cap them. Unplugging or using a power strip switch skips this step, leading to dried-out heads over time.
Extends lifeDust on paper causes print quality issues and feeds poorly. Most printers have a tray cover â use it. If yours doesn't, keep paper in its original packaging until you load it.
Better qualityPrinters that sit unused for weeks develop clogged nozzles from dried ink. Even printing one test page per week keeps the ink flowing and heads in good condition.
Extends lifePrinter manufacturers release firmware updates that fix WiFi issues, improve compatibility, and sometimes add features. Check the support page for your printer model every few months.
Saves timeMixing A4 and letter paper or different weights in the same tray causes misfeeds and jams. Keep the tray loaded with one size and weight of paper at a time.
Saves time