This is How You Can Extend the Life of Ink Cartridges in Large Format & Production Printers

November 06, 2017

If you’re printing in high volume, you’ve probably had to replace printer ink cartridges several times. Cartridge refills can be costly, so we’ve compiled some tips to help you conserve ink and make it last longer.

Use Print Preview

Check your document in print preview to see exactly how it will appear when it comes out of the printer. Scan for typos, formatting issues, and incorrect information before you print to prevent the need for wasteful reprints.

Change Printing Preferences

One of the easiest ways to save ink is by printing in fast draft mode and grayscale. Using these settings, the text will still come out clean and legible, but documents will require far less ink.

Ignore Low Ink Warnings – To An Extent

While these warnings are helpful indicators that it’s time to order a new cartridge, they typically don’t mean your ink needs to be changed right away. A better way to know when to change cartridges is to watch the output quality on your documents. When they become hard to read, you’ll know it’s time for new cartridges.

Keep an Eye on Nozzles

Ink nozzles inside printers can clog frequently. You’ll be able to tell if your documents come out with faint lines running through them. Easily unclog your cartridges by following these steps:

• Soak nozzles in warm water for several minutes
• Remove and wipe dry with soft cloth
• Reinstall cartridge and run the print head cleaning program

Use Thinner Fonts

Some fonts feature thicker or larger letters by nature and will use more ink when printing. Instead, choose a standard font like Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman, as these are thinner typefaces. Combined with 12-point font, these are easy changes to extend the life of your cartridges.

Store Ink Cartridges

If you have printers that aren’t used regularly, prolong the life of their ink cartridges by removing them, wrapping in a damp cloth or paper towel, and storing in a resealable plastic bag in a cool, dark area. That way, the cartridges won’t have a chance to dry out while not in use.

At our Portland headquarters and each of our West Coast branches, we have expert teams to answer any questions you have about your multifunction, wide format, or production printers. Whether you’re needing an intensive printer repair or looking for ways to conserve resources, we’re here to help. Find the POA office location nearest you and get in touch today.