How To Make Printer Ink Last Longer?

Most of us have experienced running out of ink while printing something important. It doesn’t take long before you run out of ink and wind up paying for replacement cartridges, unlike you planned. So, how can you avoid this frustrating situation? In this article, we’re going to take a look at How To Make Printer Ink Last Longer, and let’s go through some handy tips, tricks, and even a few hacks to do so. Let’s get started with it!

How to Prolong the Life of Your Ink Cartridge?

If you want your ink cartridge to last longer, these steps will help you make that ink last just a little longer. To maximize your printer ink, use the following tips for reducing printing, choosing the right type of ink, etc. 

Keep the font size small and avoid bold text

Your printer is like a car; the more you push it to extend the time between refills, the sooner it will use up the juice. Using a big and bold size is like hitting the catalyst too hard. It demands more ink and uses it up quickly. Instead, opt for standard fonts and smaller sizes. Using bold or big text in moderation will put some ink in your printer and save it for the real reason you need it.

Proof Your Document Before Printing

It may appear simple, but it’s easy to miss. Isn’t it wasteful to print a document full of mistakes? Proofread or correct it prior to printing. Doing this will not only save you ink but also lessen the number of pages your printer will print, thereby keeping your cartridge full longer.

Explore Your Printer’s Settings

Printers have customizable options that allow better ink usage. You can set the quality settings to “draft” or “economy” mode, which consumes a lot less ink. Select the lower-quality option if you don’t require the best-quality printing.

Print Only What You Need

Nowadays, we print more than necessary. When you need a document for business or personal use, ask yourself, “Do I really need a hard copy?”  Avoid printing it out. It should be saved on your computer and kept there. Reducing your printing level will make your ink cartridges last longer.

Inspect for Clogs

When ink clogs occur, printers use more ink than needed. When certain sections of your printer’s output are streaky or light, it means ink may not be flowing properly. If there are any clogs in the print head, clean them if necessary. Follow this simple step to improve the print quality and stop using too much ink.

Save Your Work Rather Than Printing

Although it may be alluring to print everything, it is sometimes better to save your work. Before hitting “print,” consider whether a digital copy will do or if a paper copy will do. This way, you save ink and still have access to your paper.

Consider Using Third-Party Ink Cartridges

Let’s face it: printer makers charge a fortune for their ink cartridges.  If you want to save money and make your printer ink last longer, use third-party ink cartridges. The substitutes could be as good as the originals and are often considerably lower in cost.

Be Cautious with Color Choices

Don’t Waste Your Colored Ink Cartridges! To save your colored inks, print in black and white whenever feasible. If color printing is required, use it sparingly. This helps to make your color cartridges last much longer.

Use Your Printer Regularly

Just like we can’t function physically without exercise, printers can’t function without print jobs.  When you don’t use your printer for weeks, the ink can dry up, leading to wastage when you finally print something.  You should print something every few days, even if it’s only a test page. This will keep the ink flowing and prevent waste.

Stay Up-to-date with Software

Software updates can improve the performance of most printers. There is a possibility that a driver issue may result in your printer using more ink than necessary. Upgrade your printer software to make your printer work better.

Keep Your Printer Well-Maintained

A well-maintained printer is an efficient printer. Keep on getting your printer cleaned regularly and replacing any worn-out parts to make your printer work at its best and prevent the overuse of ink.

Always Use Print Preview

Before you select “print,” see what your document will look like on paper by selecting print preview. You can avoid wasting unnecessary ink on unwanted pages, weird formatting, or even blank pages when you print.

Optimize Your Documents for Printing

When preparing your documents, be mindful of the content. Eliminate any irrelevant images and keep it simple. The simpler the document, the less ink it will consume. A PDF version of the document should be saved before printing. PDFs are usually smaller and suited to print using a minimum amount of ink.

Use Full-Sized Pages

Don’t try to cram extra information when printing your documents, like flyers or brochures. Your printer doesn’t waste ink filling in gaps when you print an entire page at full size.

Maximize the area of your printout to ensure your printer only uses as much ink as needed.

Invest in High-Yield Cartridges

If you print often, you may want to get high-yield cartridges. They need to be changed on the printer fewer times, which lowers the cost per page. The upfront costs may be higher, but you’ll save money in the long run.

How to Extract Every Last Drop of Ink from Your Cartridge?

Now that you’ve put things on hold, if there’s still ink left, you could try these tips to use up the last drops. Here’s how to get the most out of every single cartridge.

Clean the Printhead

A buildup of ink over time may clog the printhead. Cleaning the printhead can restore ink flow and improve print quality. Printers usually have a cleaning option in their settings, so run it when you feel the need.

Give the Cartridge a Good Shake

Give the cartridge a little shake. You should gently shake the ink cartridge before placing it into the printer. If you think your cartridge is low, shake it and try printing again. Occasionally, it might provide enough ink for that final page in your book.

Try the Hair Dryer Technique

If you’re desperate, a hair dryer might help. Hold the hairdryer a couple of inches away from the cartridge and heat for a few seconds. Sometimes, this can help the ink flow, especially if the cartridge is slightly blocked.

Use the Paper Towel Trick

If shaking doesn’t work, try the paper towel trick. Lay the cartridge on a moist paper towel and let it sit briefly. A little moisture can sometimes rehydrate the ink and help it flow. 

Cover the Sensor

Some printers can detect when their ink is low using their sensor. Cover the sensor and trick the printer into thinking there’s still ink remaining to get extra use from a cartridge. However, please be careful when you use it because it can cause waste.

Swap the Cartridge

The cartridge may need to be swapped for a new one if all else fails. It may feel like giving up; however, this will help the printer work well in some situations.

Where to Buy Printer Inks?

TCS Digital Solutions offers low-cost printer inks for these printers, like Afinia, Epson, Primera, and many more. Our inks print sharply and brightly with minimal ink use. TCS Digital Solutions is your best source for printer and ink consumables at quality prices.

Final Takeaway

On the topic of how to make ink cartridges last longer, making printer ink last longer means making smarter choices at the right time. Longer use of Inks can help save money by changing the way you use Inks, changing its settings & changing the maintenance.   

If you are looking for good-quality ink, you can always try TCS Digital Solutions. Our collection of printer inks delivers great results and lasts longer, so you can forget about constantly replacing your printer ink.

Do you have further inquiries regarding how to prolong the life of printer ink? Contact our support team via email at orders@tcsdigitalsolutions.com or call us at (678) 824-2304 or +1 (762) 208-6985. Our expert support team will be happy to assist you. Visit our blog section for answers to all your questions related to printer inks.

Drew Strickland

Drew is the Chief Marketing Officer and E-commerce Director at TCS Digital Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. His extensive background in marketing within this sector has deepened his passion and knowledge. He offers valuable tips and reviews on the latest printing products and innovations, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals find the most efficient and high-quality solutions for their printing needs. For a closer look into his insights and experiences, you can connect with Drew on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.