How to Get More Out of Printer Ink Cartridges?

Printer ink is often frustratingly expensive, and cartridges seem to run dry at the worst times. However, with some smart strategies, it’s possible to extend their lifespan significantly. By fine-tuning printer settings, managing usage habits, and maintaining your cartridges properly, you can maximize every drop of ink and cut printing costs. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get more out of printer ink cartridges.

1. Understand Your Printer and Ink Cartridges
2. Optimize Printer Settings to Save Ink
3. Use Ink Cartridges Efficiently
4. Understand Low Ink Warnings
5. Maintain Ink Cartridges and Printheads
6. Consider Alternative Ink Solutions

Ⅰ. Understand Your Printer and Ink Cartridges

Knowing your printer’s ink consumption, combined with your printing frequency and personal preferences, can help you avoid unnecessary costs.

1. Choose the Right Cartridge for Your Needs

Printers use different types of ink cartridges; understanding their variations is key to saving ink. When shopping for printer supplies, we encounter two options: "standard" and "high-capacity" ink cartridges. The ink capacity is the most intuitive and important difference—high-capacity cartridges hold more ink.

Standard ink cartridges: They have a lower ink capacity and are suitable for families with low to medium print volumes or users who print occasionally.

High-capacity ink cartridges (XL or XXL): These can print more pages and are a better choice for frequent users due to their cost-efficiency.

Typically, the same printer model can use standard and high-capacity ink cartridges. For example, an HP Envy 6055e printer can use either standard yield HP 67 ink cartridges (black: 120 pages, tri-color: 100 pages) or high yield HP 67XL ink cartridges (black: 240 pages, tri-color: 200 pages). You can learn more about their differences in this blog: HP 67 vs 67XL.

2. How Printer Features Affect Ink Usage

Modern printers come with various features that can affect how quickly your ink runs out. For instance:

Frequent Cleaning Cycles: Some printers perform automatic cleaning cycles, which use ink.

Color Mixing for Black: Certain color inkjet printers mix cyan, magenta, and yellow to produce black if the black ink runs out. This increases overall ink consumption.

Different printers consume ink at varying rates. Research your printer’s manual or settings to understand these processes and adjust them if possible.

Ⅱ. Optimize Printer Settings to Save Ink

Smart management of printer settings, such as enabling draft mode, using grayscale printing, lowering resolution, and more, allows you to get more out of your ink cartridges.

1. Enable Draft Mode

Draft mode is a quick and easy way to conserve ink. This setting reduces the density of the ink while maintaining readability. It’s perfect for internal documents, notes, or non-essential prints.  To enable this:

• Open the "Print Settings" in your document software. 
• Navigate to the "Quality" or "Print Mode" sections. 
• Select Draft", "Economy" or "Fast" mode.

2. Use Grayscale Printing

Color ink cartridges are often used unnecessarily for printing black-and-white documents. Switching to grayscale or black ink only can save a significant amount of color ink. Steps to switch to grayscale printing:

• In the "Print Properties", select the "Advanced" tab.
• Check the option for "Grayscale" or "Black Ink Only.”
• Apply this as the default setting for non-color documents.

3. Lower the Print Resolution

For images or graphics, high DPI (dots per inch) settings consume more ink. Reducing the resolution to 300 DPI is often sufficient for readable, high-quality prints while using significantly less ink. Most software allows you to resize images or select lower-resolution options before printing.

4. Choose Ink-Saving Fonts

Fonts like "Century Gothic" and "Ecofont" are designed to use less ink than standard fonts like "Times New Roman." Use these for text-heavy documents.

Ⅲ. Use Ink Cartridges Efficiently

Using your printer's ink cartridges efficiently can significantly extend their life and reduce your printing costs. Here are some things you can do.

1. Print Regularly to Prevent Drying

Inkjet cartridges are prone to drying out when not in use for extended periods. To avoid this, print at least once a week, even if it’s just a test page. This keeps the ink flowing and prevents clogs in the nozzles.

2. Batch Your Printing Jobs

Each time you start a print job, the printer performs cleaning cycles to ensure quality, which consumes ink. Instead of printing individual documents throughout the day, group your tasks into a single session to minimize ink wastage.

3. Avoid Canceling Print Jobs Midway

If you cancel a print job while it’s running, the printer may still eject ink before stopping. Preview your documents carefully and avoid interruptions to save ink.

4. Avoid Frequent Power Cycling  

Every time you power on your printer, it performs maintenance tasks that consume ink. Keep the printer in Standby Mode if you plan to use it throughout the day, reducing unnecessary ink usage.

5. Print Only What’s Necessary

Before printing, review your document to ensure it’s final and necessary. Use print preview to spot formatting errors and unnecessary pages. In addition, use double-sided printing. Duplex printing not only saves paper but also reduces the need for reprinting errors, further conserving ink.

Ⅳ. Understand Low Ink Warnings

Many printers warn you that your ink is running low long before it’s truly empty. These warnings are often based on usage estimates rather than the actual ink level. You can ignore the warnings and continue printing until print quality noticeably declines or the printer stops. If your printer has a built-in ink level monitoring system, use it to check how much ink remains physically in the cartridge.

Techniques for Extracting the Last Bit of Ink

Running out of ink mid-print can be frustrating, especially if there’s still a small amount left in the cartridge. Luckily, several techniques can help you extract every last drop of ink.

1. Gently Shake the Cartridge

Over time, ink can settle at the bottom of the cartridge, causing the printer to believe it's empty. A gentle shake can redistribute the ink and allow for a few more prints. Be careful to avoid violent shaking, as it may cause leakage or damage to the cartridge. Here's how:

• Remove the ink cartridge from the printer.
• Hold it upright and shake it gently for a few seconds.
• Reinsert the cartridge and continue printing.

2. Override Low Ink Warning

Many printers stop printing when they detect low ink, even if some ink remains. You can often override this warning to continue printing until the ink is truly out. Steps to override the warning (varies by printer model):

• Check your printer settings for an option to disable ink warnings.
• Press and hold the "Cancel" or "Resume" button (specific to some models).
• Refer to your printer’s manual for specific instructions.

3. Reposition the Ink Cartridge

Sometimes, adjusting the ink cartridge’s position can help extract the last bit of ink. Slightly tilting or re-seating the cartridge can improve ink flow. Steps to reposition:

• Open the printer’s cartridge compartment.
• Remove and reinsert the cartridge, ensuring it is firmly in place.
• Tilt the ink cartridge slightly forward if possible.

4. Heat to Loosen Dried Ink

For stubborn cartridges with dried ink, a bit of heat can help. Warmth softens the ink, allowing it to pass through the nozzle more easily. Here’s how to apply heat:

• Heat a small amount of water (not boiling).
• Dip the nozzle end of the cartridge into the water for a few seconds.

• Dry the cartridge thoroughly before reinserting it.

Ⅴ. Maintain Ink Cartridges and Printheads

Maintaining the ink cartridges and printheads can greatly improve printing results and also extend the life of the cartridges and printer. It is a worthwhile investment of time and effort.

1. Store Ink Cartridges Properly

Proper storage of ink cartridges can prevent them from drying out or leaking. Follow these tips:

Keep cartridges sealed in their original packaging until use.

Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

Avoid storing cartridges in areas prone to high humidity.

2. Clean Printheads Regularly

Dirty or clogged printheads result in poor-quality prints and wasted ink. Regular cleaning ensures that the ink flows smoothly and evenly. Most printers have a built-in cleaning function.

Steps to clean printheads using printer settings:

• Access the "Maintainance" menu on your printer.
• Select "Printhead Cleaning" or a similar option.
• Perform a test print to ensure the nozzles are unclogged.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you can clean the printhead manually by:

• Remove the printhead carefully.
• Soak it in warm water for about 10 minutes.
• Dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth before reinstalling.

3. Keep Ink Cartridges in Use

Ink dries out if not used regularly. To prevent this, print a small test page at least once a week, especially if your printer has been idle.

4. Check for Leaks or Dried Ink  

Inspect your ink cartridges periodically for leaks, dried ink, or other visible issues. Gently wipe the nozzles with a damp cloth to ensure smooth ink flow. Addressing these problems early can prevent unnecessary ink loss.

Ⅵ. Consider Alternative Ink Solutions

There are a variety of innovative ink solutions on the market that are designed to provide more choices and cost-effectiveness. Here are a few alternatives worth considering.

1. Choose Refilled or Compatible Cartridges

Third-party compatible cartridges or refilled options are more affordable than OEM (original equipment manufacturer) cartridges and can save up to 50%. However, it’s important to:

• Buy from reputable vendors to ensure quality.
• Check compatibility with your printer model. 
• Be aware of warranty limitations when using non-OEM cartridges.
• Test a small batch before fully committing to ensure they don’t damage your printer.

2. Invest in Refillable Ink Tank Systems

Printers like Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank, or HP Smart Tank use refillable ink bottles instead of cartridges. These systems greatly reduce ink costs, especially for high-volume users. While the upfront investment is higher, the long-term savings are worth considering.  

3. Switch to High-Capacity Ink Cartridges

If you print a lot, you can switch to using high-capacity ink cartridges labeled "XL" or "XXL." High-yield cartridges hold more ink than standard ones and offer a better cost per page. They’re ideal for heavy printing needs.

4. Trustworthy Printing Solutions You Can Rely On

True Image is a trusted supplier of high-quality compatible toner and ink cartridges. With a strong reputation built on reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction, our products are designed to meet your printing needs without compromise.

Why pay more for original cartridges when you can enjoy crisp text, vivid colors, and reliable performance with cost-effective alternatives? Backed by rigorous quality testing, our cartridges ensure seamless compatibility with leading printer brands like HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, and more. Make the switch today and discover smarter, more affordable printing solutions!

Conclusion: Get More Ink Out Of Printer Cartridges

Related Reading: