No one likes running out of ink mid-print — especially when replacement cartridges aren’t cheap. The good news? There are simple, effective ways to get more life out of every cartridge without sacrificing print quality.
At DoorStepInk, we’re all about helping you save — not just by offering affordable remanufactured and surplus ink, but by making sure you get the most out of every drop.
Here’s how.
Use These Smart Printing Tips to Stretch Your Ink
These easy adjustments can make a noticeable difference:
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Print in Draft Mode
Unless you're printing a presentation or high-resolution image, draft mode can cut ink use in half. It's perfect for internal documents, homework, and everyday lists. -
Switch to Grayscale or Black-Only Mode
Color printing uses all cartridges - even when printing black text. Set your printer to grayscale or black-only to conserve your color ink. -
Avoid Large, Solid Color Blocks
Heavy graphics and solid color backgrounds drain ink fast. If possible, redesign documents to minimize ink-heavy elements. -
Preview Before You Print
Print Preview helps you catch errors, page breaks, and unnecessary pages - saving you paper and ink. -
Use Smaller Font Sizes and Efficient Fonts
Fonts like Calibri, Arial, and Times New Roman use less ink than bold or decorative fonts. A size 11 font prints clearly while reducing overall ink consumption.
Keep Your Printer in Good Shape
Printer performance can impact ink lifespan more than you think.
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Print Regularly
Infrequent printing can cause ink to dry and clog the nozzles, leading to poor print quality or unusable cartridges. -
Keep Cartridges in Use
Don’t remove and reinsert cartridges unnecessarily. This can cause misreads or error messages. -
Turn Your Printer Off Properly
Always power it down using the printer’s power button. This allows it to seal the cartridges and prevent them from drying out.
Store Spare Cartridges Correctly
When storing an extra cartridge (remanufactured or OEM surplus), follow these steps:
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Keep it sealed in its original packaging
This prevents drying or premature oxidation. -
Store in a cool, dry place
Avoid heat, humidity, or freezing temperatures. -
Keep upright
Storing sideways can cause ink to settle or leak when installed.
Why DoorStepInk Cartridges Last Longer
At DoorStepInk, we engineer our remanufactured cartridges to hold up to real-world usage. Our lab-tested ink formulation and professional sealing process mean:
- Less clogging
- Reliable page yield
- Longer storage life (when kept sealed)
- Compatibility with printer software to avoid false "low ink" warnings
Combine that with smart user habits, and you’ll get maximum value from every cartridge.
Bonus: Use the Whole Cartridge
Modern printers often display “low ink” warnings long before the cartridge is truly empty.
- Keep printing until the quality dips - not just when the alert appears
- Gently remove and reinstall the cartridge if the warning persists prematurely
- Perform a cleaning cycle if prints start fading - it can restore flow and prevent waste
Print smarter. Spend less. Waste nothing.
Shop remanufactured and OEM surplus cartridges at www.doorstepink.com and get more from every print - with help from the pros who build better ink.
