How to Save ink When Using a Photo Printer

Although having a photo printer at home is an incredible convenience and saves you from paying a lab to output your pictures, using an excessive amount of ink can end up costing you more in the long run. Develop ways to conserve ink and ensure you're only using the amount needed to create satisfactory prints.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Use the "Print Preview" on your computer or the screen on your color printer to check an image for the proper crop, color tone and size before you print it. Ensure you'll get the image right the first time to save you from making unnecessary prints.
2. Print only the photos that you want to display in a frame, add to a photo album or feature on a scrapbook layout. Outputting photos to merely stack in a box or a drawer wastes expensive photo paper, as well as ink. Back those images up on compact discs instead so they'll be ready to print if you do need them.
3. Ensure you're buying ink cartridges compatible with your specific printer. Consider buying a printer that uses separate ones for individual ink colors instead of one for black and white and one for the rest of the shades. This way, you'll only need to replace the ones that you use the most (see Resources).
4. Run a test print at least once a week, even when you don't have photos to print. Although this seems like it will waste ink, the practice will actually save in the long run since it will keep the ink cartridges from drying up and becoming unusable.
5. Shut the printer down with its "off" button rather than simply turning off the power strip. If you shut the printer down before it completes the proper cycle, the print heads may sit out of position and the cartridges will grow gummy and dry out.

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