Types

• There are many types of ink-jet printers available. If you are in the market for one, shop around. Do not look only at the printer's price and its features. Be sure to research the cost of any supplies the printer will require. A $40 ink-jet printer might seem like a great deal. However, if a replacement cartridge costs you 30 bucks a pop, you will spend more in the end than if you bought an $80 printer with cartridges costing only $10.
  
  

Function

• You probably print a variety of different types of documents. It is likely that the majority of them do not need to be printed in the highest quality. By changing your default printer settings, you can cut down on the amount of ink you use on a daily basis. To change how your printer functions, go to your Start menu. Click on "Control Panel" (you might have to point to "Settings" first). Open "Printers and Faxes" and right click your printer. Choose "Printing Preferences" and select the lower quality or "draft" print option.
  
  

Benefits

• There are many ways to purchase the ink cartridges you need at a lower price. One way is by purchasing them in bulk. If you are looking for new desktop ink-jet printers for an entire office, consider buying everyone the same model. This way you can stock up on cartridges and save. Buying replacement cartridges online is another way to get a better price. Also, check your cartridge packaging. Some manufacturers will give you a discount or a freebie such as a ream of paper for returning empty cartridges to be recycled.
  
  

Considerations

• Purchasing compatible cartridges that are not made by the printer manufacturer can save a great deal. Big chain office supply stores make cheaper versions of most popular cartridge types. Another way to save money is by refilling empty cartridges. You can buy refill kits online, at office supply stores and even discount and drug stores. These kits contain everything you need to make black and color ink cartridges refillable, and are considerably more affordable than new cartridges.
  
  

Warning

• Refilling ink cartridges can be an extremely messy process. Make sure you place several layers of newspapers or rags on your surface before attempting to fill the cartridges. Wearing disposable gloves is also a good idea. Some printers have a chip that counts the number of times a cartridge has been used. Once it reaches the limit, the chip tells your printer it is out of ink. If you refill a cartridge that has one of these chips, you may need a resetting device in order for the cartridge to work again, even after it is refilled.