Printer ink is one of the most expensive liquids money can buy. At $4,285 per liter, it is more expensive than champagne, gasoline, and even fancy perfume! If your organization is running through this precious liquid at an expensive pace, there are steps you can take to reduce the cost.

Use the font Garamond instead of Times New Roman

It seems like font choice is nothing more than a design decision. However, it really does have an effect on the amount of ink consumed. 14-year-old student Suvir Mirchandani conducted a science project in which he discovered that if documents were printed using the font Garamond instead of Times New Roman, ink consumption was reduced by 24%. He calculated that his school could save thousands, and the government could save millions, by making this simple change!

Print Internal Documents on Draft Mode

After clicking print, a screen with options usually pops up. Instead of just clicking “OK,” click “properties.” Change the print mode to “draft.” What this does is prints your document using less ink. It will be lighter and not as sharp, but will save your ink. Always use the draft mode unless the document is something that will be presented to someone else or displayed. Anything you are printing just for yourself, for reference, or for back-up, should be printed in this mode to save ink and toner.

Adjust Formatting

If you are printing a text document, there are some formatting options you can use to conserve ink, and conserve paper. Choose a font that uses less ink, such as Garamond. Use a small font size, and avoid using bold type. To conserve paper, change the margins to as narrow as possible, and make the document single-spaced to save paper. If you just need part of a document, highlight it and click “print selection” instead of printing the whole document.

Utilize Technology

If you need a document in multiple places, use cloud storage or flash drives to save it for use wherever you are, rather than printing it. Send as much as you can by email instead of hard copy. Do not print emails unless absolutely necessary. Use smartphone apps to do tasks that might otherwise require paper and printer ink. For example, SunDANCE has a mobile app that allows you to access, list, and purchase your office supplies right from your phone!

Choose Printers and Cartridges Wisely

When shopping for a printer, consider the price of ink in your decision. Furthermore, consider remanufactured cartridges. They are better for the environment, cost less money, and are equal to or better than the more expensive brands.