In a small business, it is very likely that hundreds of pages are printed each week. On the other hand, large businesses house multiple printers and may require the printing of thousands of pages per week. With the high costs of printer ink, toner, and paper, tips on how to preserve ink and save money should be welcomed with open arms. Fortunately, email and other interactive media have reduced printer usage. For example, most people send an email with an attachment or a link to a document, rather than printing it out and giving it to the recipient. The first tip for printer savings is to have the printer set up to automatically print double-sided, which prevents paper from being wasted. The second tip is to have employee’s computers set up to display a print preview before printing. This allows the user to view the document for any errors before printing.

The third tip is to send an electronic copy of a document whenever possible, rather than printing it. Just as with textbooks, print copies are becoming obsolete. Sending your colleagues an electronic report is a great way to preserve ink. One final tip is to buy ink and toner cartridges in bulk. In an environment when ink goes quickly, buying in large volumes and always having replacements on hand is a good idea, and also results in savings. One thing to remember when buying in bulk is to be cautious of expiration dates on the cartridges, and to store them properly. Keep them in their original packaging, in a cool area that is away from direct sunlight and airflow. Remember to print only what is necessary and use the copy machine, whenever possible, to make additional copies. By implementing these tips, you may be surprised at how much ink is preserved, and the savings that will come as a result.

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