5 Ways to Make Your Ink Cartridges Last Longer
Ink cartridges are one of the most significant ongoing costs of owning a printer. These practical adjustments can meaningfully extend how long yours last.
1. Use Draft Mode for Everyday Documents
Most printers offer a "Draft" or "Economy" print mode that uses significantly less ink per page. For internal documents, notes, or anything you're reading once, draft mode is perfectly readable and can cut ink usage by 50% or more.
2. Print in Grayscale When Colour Isn't Needed
Colour ink tends to run out faster than black. If you're printing a webpage article, a text document, or an invoice, switch to grayscale in your print settings. This preserves your colour cartridges for when you actually need them.
3. Choose a Lighter Font When Possible
Fonts with thinner strokes use less ink than heavy, bold typefaces. If you're printing large volumes of text, using a lighter-weight font at a slightly smaller size can add up to noticeable savings over time.
4. Don't Let the Printer Sit Idle for Weeks
Inkjet printers especially suffer from dried-up print heads when unused for extended periods. Running a test print or short document every week or two keeps the ink flowing and prevents costly cleaning cycles.
5. Avoid Low-Quality Third-Party Cartridges
Very cheap compatible cartridges can actually waste more ink due to inconsistent flow and more frequent cleaning cycles triggered by the printer. Look for well-reviewed compatible options rather than always going for the cheapest available.
How to Print Double-Sided Every Time
If your printer supports duplex (double-sided) printing, setting it as the default will save paper automatically without you having to remember each time.
On Windows
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
- Click your printer → Printing preferences.
- Look for a Layout or Finishing tab.
- Set Print on Both Sides to Flip on Long Edge (standard for portrait documents).
- Click OK — this becomes the new default for all future print jobs.
On macOS
- Open any print dialog and click Show Details.
- Select Layout from the dropdown menu.
- Set Two-Sided to Long-Edge binding.
- Click the dropdown at the bottom left and choose Save Current Settings as Preset to make it your default.
Keeping Your Printer Healthy
A few minutes of maintenance every month can prevent most common printer problems.
Clean the Exterior and Paper Tray
Dust and debris inside the paper tray are a leading cause of paper feed issues. Wipe down the tray with a dry cloth monthly. Keep the exterior of the printer clean and free of objects that might block ventilation.
Run the Built-In Maintenance Tools
Most printers include maintenance utilities accessible either from the printer's own screen or the printer software on your computer. Running a nozzle check every month or so helps you catch a clogged print head before it starts affecting print quality.
Store Paper Correctly
Damp or warped paper causes jams and poor print quality. Store your paper in a dry location in its original packaging, and only load what you expect to use in the near term. Avoid leaving paper in the tray for weeks at a time in humid environments.
Keep Firmware Updated
Printer manufacturers periodically release firmware updates that fix bugs, improve compatibility, and sometimes even improve print quality. Check your printer's settings menu or the manufacturer's website for updates every few months.
Getting Better Print Quality
If your prints don't look as sharp or vibrant as you'd like, these adjustments can make a noticeable difference.
- Match the paper type in settings. Photo paper, glossy, and plain paper all require different ink amounts and drying profiles. Selecting the right type in your print dialog is the single biggest quality improvement you can make.
- Use the highest quality mode for important prints. Save the "Best" or "Photo" quality setting for things that matter — it uses more ink and takes longer, but the difference is visible.
- Align the print heads. If you notice slight misalignment in colours or text edges, run the alignment utility in your printer's maintenance software.
- Let prints dry before handling. Inkjet output especially can smear if handled immediately. Give prints 30–60 seconds before picking them up.
Printing from a Phone or Tablet
Most modern printers support mobile printing without any additional apps, through built-in protocols your phone already supports.
On iPhone / iPad (AirPrint)
If your printer supports AirPrint, it will appear automatically in the share sheet on iOS and iPadOS. Open a document or photo, tap the Share icon, scroll down to Print, select your printer, and choose the number of copies. No app or setup required.
On Android
Android supports printing through a built-in print service. Open a document or photo, go to the Share or three-dot menu, and look for a Print option. Your printer will appear if it's on the same Wi-Fi network. Some printers may require a companion app available from your device's app store.