Anyone who uses a printer daily, or even every other day at home, will tell you that printing costs can add up over a short period time. Think about those who work in a small office and how that may affect production in the long run. A smaller operation may not have the funds or the physical space to store bulk items for future use like that of a medium or large office. That is why it is important that all office staff realize this and put into practice methods that will keep printing costs down. Especially in this economy where inkjet printing costs are on the rise, just like everything else.



Depending on the size of the office and individual role that each staff member plays, it is possible to see a difference in print costs when a variety of methods are used. The one or two person office can set their printer to economy or draft settings when printing informal documents. They can also extend the life of their printer ink by using a cartridge ink refill kit. Compared to inkjet printing costs, it cannot hurt to have one of these on hand when it is impossible to buy another cartridge immediately. Or in the case of a clerical pool, one person can be designated to do the printing of presentations or formal paperwork instead of many staff members placing wear and using a lot of printer time as well as ink. Instead, they can use an e-copy to be saved on a hard drive or other storage device.



While most desktop printers may use printer ink cartridges that fit in the palm of a human hand, high-speed or stand-alone printers may use a cartridge that is a little more than a foot long. Instead of disposing them when the ink begins to run low, the cartridges can be shaken vigorously for about 2-3 minutes so that the ink powder inside can be extended to print more visible copies.



If you’re using a combination of the methods mentioned, then it is up to the person who runs the office to take action. This can be done by designating a day in which office supplies and other related necessities will be bought. Make other staff members aware of this date as well as when the ink and other supplies will be replaced. Also, try a generic brand or buy from a discount retailer. The latter may not always be as consistent as the major chains, but the print costs can be competitive enough where buying in bulk may be a good idea.