Three Smart Tools To Reduce Printing Costs

Even though I buy recycled and remanufactured printer cartridges, I'm still stunned at the cost. So short of shoplifting, I'll try practically anything to save ink.

There are two tricks I use. The first isn't perfect, but it won't cost you a thing.

When I print from a Web site, I always highlight the material on the page that I want to print and choose Selection from the print dialog box. That way chances are good I won't get stuck printing everything on the page.

Unfortunately, chances are also good that I'll pick up stuff I don't want -- like a graphic; I might also end up printing an extra page with the tail end of the Web page, say, the "contact us" info.

Two Printer Tools
So the second trick is to use a utility program to ensure that doesn't happen. True, it'll cost about the same as buying an inkjet cartridge. But both programs give you what I think is the most important feature: a preview of exactly what will print -- and the ability to delete specific pages -- before they're actually sent to the printer. And both tools have trial versions, so you can see for yourself whether they'll work for you.

The first program is FinePrint, the $50 tool I've used for (I'm guessing now) almost a decade. It has a plethora of features, including a way to using 2- 4- or 8-up layout, ideal for printing drafts.

The other program is GreenPrint, which costs $35. Among other things, it lets you transform any page your about to print into a PDF document. It also uses special fonts that prints more text on a page -- without making it difficult to read. Kirk Steers, in this Hardware Tips column, explains how to save money with this nifty-sounding print utility.

While you're reading, take a look at a free Internet-based printing tool from Hewlett Packard. The details are here: A New Way to Print Any Document on the Road.

Talkback
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Comments

What is the future of ink-jet printer and printer cartridge technology? What is the next emerging technology which may replace this technology? What is the forcasted life of this technology - especially from the cartridge refill business perspective?

Thanks,
Bob

BCooper

September 28, 2007

8:51 PM PT