How to Save Money on Printer Cartridges
- By -Duke
- Posted on
- Posted in Printer Cartidge
Printer cartridges can be one of the most expensive ongoing costs for both home and office printing. Whether you’re printing documents for work or photos for personal use, the cost of ink or toner can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to save money on printer cartridges without compromising on print quality. In this guide, we’ll explore practical ways to cut cartridge costs and maximize your printing budget.

Buy High-Yield or XL Cartridges
Why It Works:
High-yield or XL cartridges contain more ink or toner than standard cartridges, allowing you to print more pages for a lower per-page cost. While these cartridges are more expensive upfront, they are often much more cost-effective in the long run.
How to Save:
- Check compatibility: Make sure your printer supports high-yield or XL cartridges. Most printer brands offer XL options for their most popular models.
- Compare costs: Sometimes, the price difference between standard and high-yield cartridges is small, but the page yield is significantly higher. Compare the price per page before purchasing.
Use Compatible or Third-Party Cartridges
Why It Works:
Compatible or third-party printer cartridges are typically much cheaper than brand-name cartridges. These are made by third-party manufacturers and are designed to work with your printer, offering a more affordable alternative.
How to Save:
- Research trusted brands: Some third-party manufacturers offer products that perform just as well as original cartridges. Look for reputable brands with good reviews to avoid issues with print quality or cartridge recognition.
- Check your printer’s warranty: Many printers now allow the use of third-party cartridges without voiding the warranty. However, it’s a good idea to check your printer’s terms before switching to compatible cartridges.
Refill Your Printer Cartridges
Why It Works:
Refilling your ink or toner cartridges can save a significant amount of money. Instead of buying a new cartridge, you can simply refill the existing one. This works best for inkjet cartridges, although some toner cartridges can also be refilled.
How to Save:
- Buy a refill kit: Refill kits are available for most printer models and contain ink or toner along with the necessary tools for refilling the cartridge. Refilling can cost as little as a fraction of the price of a new cartridge.
- Use professional refilling services: If you’re not comfortable refilling the cartridges yourself, many office supply stores offer professional cartridge refilling services at a lower cost than buying new.
Print in Draft Mode or Economical Mode
Why It Works:
Many printers have a draft mode or economical mode that uses less ink or toner to print. This is particularly useful for printing documents that don’t require high-quality results, such as emails, drafts, or internal memos.
How to Save:
- Select draft mode: Before printing, change the settings in your printer’s software or control panel to print in draft mode. This will use significantly less ink, saving you money.
- Adjust print quality settings: If draft mode isn’t available, you can adjust the print quality to lower settings, which will use less ink or toner.
Print in Black and White (Monochrome)
Why It Works:
Color cartridges are often much more expensive than black ink or toner cartridges. By printing in black and white (monochrome) when color isn’t necessary, you can save money on ink or toner consumption.
How to Save:
- Use grayscale printing: When printing documents that don’t require color, set your printer to grayscale or black-and-white printing mode.
- Avoid color printing for drafts: For drafts or documents that don’t require precise color, opt for black-and-white printing to save on color cartridge usage.
Use Printer’s Eco-Friendly or Energy-Saving Features
Why It Works:
Many modern printers come with eco-friendly features that can help reduce ink usage, such as automatic double-sided printing or print jobs optimized for minimal ink usage.
How to Save:
- Enable duplex printing: If your printer supports double-sided printing, use this feature to reduce the number of pages you print, ultimately saving ink or toner.
- Use the “economy” or “eco” print mode: This setting is available on many printers and reduces ink or toner consumption by adjusting the print density.
Conclusion
Saving money on printer cartridges is easier than you might think. By using high-yield cartridges, opting for third-party or refillable options, adjusting your print settings, and utilizing eco-friendly features, you can significantly reduce your printing costs. Additionally, recycling cartridges and signing up for subscription services can further help lower your expenses over time.