Top 10 Tips to Save Money on Printer Ink and Toner 💰
Printing costs can sneak up on you like Noodle sneaks up on an unattended sandwich. Before you know it, you've spent hundreds on cartridges and you're wondering where all the money went. 🐕
Good news: there are plenty of ways to cut your printing costs dramatically — without resorting to "just don't print anything." Here are our top 10 tried-and-true tips.
1. Switch to Compatible Cartridges 🏆
This is the single biggest money-saver. Compatible (generic) cartridges cost 50–80% less than genuine OEM cartridges and deliver comparable quality for everyday printing.
A business replacing four Brother TN-2450 cartridges per year could save over $250 annually just by making this switch. Read our full comparison guide for the details.
2. Buy High-Yield (XL) Cartridges 📦
High-yield cartridges cost more upfront but print significantly more pages, bringing your cost per page way down.
For example, an HP 206A prints ~1,350 pages, while the HP 206X prints ~3,150 pages — more than double the output for less than double the price. Always check if an XL version exists for your printer.
3. Buy in Multi-Packs 🎯
Buying a 4-pack or 5-pack of cartridges is almost always cheaper per unit than buying singles. At FetchInk, our multi-pack deals offer extra savings on top of our already low prices.
If you know you'll need cartridges throughout the year, buying in bulk is a no-brainer — it's like buying the big bag of dog food instead of the tiny pouches. 🐾
4. Use Draft Mode for Internal Documents 📄
Your printer's draft mode (sometimes called "economy" or "toner save" mode) uses significantly less toner per page. The quality is slightly lighter but perfectly readable.
Use draft mode for:
- Internal memos and emails
- Reference copies and drafts
- Meeting notes and agendas
- Anything that doesn't leave the office
You can save up to 40% on toner by using draft mode for internal documents.
5. Print Preview Before You Print 👀
How many times have you printed something only to realise it came out wrong? Wasted pages = wasted toner.
Always use Print Preview to check:
- Page layout and margins
- Whether you actually need all the pages
- If you can fit more on fewer pages
- Whether colour is necessary (switch to grayscale if not)
6. Use the Right Paper 📝
Using the correct paper type for your printer prevents jams, reprints, and wasted toner. Laser printers need laser-compatible paper — using inkjet photo paper in a laser printer is like giving a schnauzer a cat toy. It technically works, but it's not ideal.
Standard 80gsm office paper works perfectly for most laser printing needs.
7. Print in Grayscale When Possible ⚫
Colour toner cartridges are more expensive than black. If your document doesn't need colour, switch to grayscale or black-only printing in your print settings.
This is especially valuable for:
- Text documents
- Spreadsheets
- Emails
- Web pages
8. Optimise Your Font Choices 🔤
Some fonts use more toner than others. Lighter, thinner fonts like Calibri, Century Gothic, or Ecofont use noticeably less toner than bold, heavy fonts like Arial Black or Impact.
It's a small change, but over thousands of pages, it adds up.
9. Keep Your Printer Maintained 🔧
A well-maintained printer uses toner more efficiently and avoids costly reprints from smudges or streaks.
- Clean the drum periodically
- Shake the toner cartridge gently when print quality starts fading (you'll often get another 50–100 pages!)
- Update your printer drivers for optimal performance
- Don't ignore error messages — small issues become expensive ones
10. Stock Up During Sales 🛒
Keep an eye on promotions and bulk deals. At FetchInk, we regularly have special deals on popular cartridges. Signing up for our newsletter means you'll never miss a sale.
Toner cartridges have a long shelf life (2+ years unopened), so buying ahead when prices are low is a smart move.
Bonus Tip: Use Our Printer Finder 🐾
Make sure you're always buying the right cartridge at the best price by using our Printer Finder tool. No more guessing, no more buying the wrong one, no more wasted money.
The Bottom Line
By combining even a few of these tips, you can cut your printing costs by 50% or more. The biggest single win is switching to compatible cartridges — after that, it's all about smart printing habits.
Your wallet (and Ollie and Noodle) will thank you. 🐾💰
Ready to start saving? Browse our products or find your printer's cartridge to see how much you could save today.
