Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Printer Ink in 2025
Printer ink is the invisible cost that creeps up on all of us. All users face the anxiety that comes with the need to change their printer ink. The price of printer ink cartridges can be high enough to make you wonder if you’re printing with liquid gold. It’s a recurring cost that any Canon or Epson printer user must endure.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way; you can now find better and affordable ways to handle printer ink costs. In fact, there are several clever tips and tricks to save money on printer ink in 2025. In this blog, we share 10 ways to help you extend your printing ink’s life and minimise the cost of printing. Let’s discuss them one by one.
1. Choose Affordable Printer Ink Cartridges
One of the easiest ways to save money on printer ink is by opting for more affordable printer ink cartridges. Whenever we run out of ink, we invariably go for branded inks. Bear in mind, Epson printer ink or Canon ink cartridges are not the only options that you have. The market of third-party and non-branded compatible ink cartridges has expanded immensely in recent times. There are now several cost-effective options that offer comparable print quality.
All famous printer brands, such as Epson printers and Canon ink printers, can operate with third-party ink cartridges equally well. These third-party brands perform effectively under most scenarios. The output and print quality from third-party ink cartridges match their branded counterparts. Users should consider purchasing non-branded and affordable printer ink alternatives due to their price difference and save money.
Key Takeaway: Before you buy any third-party cartridge, check online reviews to confirm if it is compatible with your printer model. Read client testimonials to gather first-hand information about their quality. Some vendors also give customers warranties on ink cartridges; opt for such models and shop confidently. This approach will help you print in superior quality while keeping costs at a minimum level.
2. Refill Your Ink Cartridges
The practice of cartridge refilling is an excellent method for reducing your ink cost. Buying new printer ink cartridges can be expensive, but refilling existing cartridges is much more affordable. Users can find ink refill kits from various e-retailers and neighbourhood shops.
Refilling also promotes reusability and keeps waste in check. The refill process is less complicated than most people think it is. Topping up your printer ink supply costs little and delivers high-quality prints at a fraction of the price of a new ink cartridge. Many stores selling printers and their accessories offer printer cartridge refilling services. You can easily find one closer to your home or office.
Key Takeaway: People who print frequently will enjoy significant long-term savings by using this approach.
3. Print in Draft Mode
To print documents for internal use, or where average quality would also be acceptable, drop the print mode to draft from your printer interface. The print quality settings in many modern printer models provide users an option to lower print quality, which saves ink usage. Draft mode printing will produce marginally lighter or slightly out-of-focus outputs yet works adequately for non-perfect document requirements.
Key Takeaway: Enabling draft mode during printing allows your printer to consume lesser ink, thus obtaining longer-lasting cartridge life before needing replacements. When printing rough drafts or shopping lists, choose the draft mode option available on your printer settings menu.
4. Use Double-Sided Printing
The capability to print on both sides of papers, called duplex printing, exists in most printers. It reduces ink usage and minimises paper waste. To reduce printing expenses, you should select the setting that flips your pages to print on both sides. This technique reduces paper use by half. You will also use less ink when printing multiple documents on fewer sheets.
Automatic duplex printing is available on many printer models: Brother MFC-J6957DW and HP Pro 4302fdw are two such models that offer this feature. To take advantage of this useful feature, users should navigate to the print settings and enable this option. Your printer will then automatically do the rest.
Key Takeaway: This simple technique increases the lifespan of your printer ink supply, primarily during the printing of extensive print jobs. It is also an eco-friendly option, as it saves paper and enables maximum utilisation of resources.
5. Buy Printer Ink in Bulk
Buying ink in larger quantities helps save considerable amounts of money on printing in the long run. Many retailers provide better prices and discounts when you purchase ink cartridges in bulk quantity. You might even find branded printer toner and printer cartridge at a lower price if you buy them in a pack of two or more.
Some printer manufacturers offer subscription programmes that provide regular printer ink cartridges to users. Regular subscribers to these services receive lower cartridge prices and ensure their printers stay inked without unexpected downtimes.
Key Takeaway: You should opt for buying in bulk or signing up with a subscription when you know there will be mass-scale print jobs.
6. Shop for Printer Ink Online
One of the easiest ways to find discounts on printer ink cartridges is by shopping online. Platforms like Amazon, eBay, and specialised online printer stores maintain competitive prices and offer periodic discounts and special deals to customers. Such offers are hard to come by from conventional brick-and-mortar stores.
Furthermore, online price-match and price-beat guarantees ensure customers receive lower ink prices when they look for similar products elsewhere. The retailers have already matched those prices and offer the minimum best possible price. While shopping online, you can also opt for refurbished ink cartridges and other more affordable older-generation models and save money.
Key Takeaway: Before ordering online, and especially from unknown or lesser-known websites, carefully read customer reviews and check website ratings. Please refrain from buying inexpensive and low-quality printer ink. It will waste your money, compromise the print quality, and might even harm the printer.
7. Use Ink Saver Modes
Modern printers include ink saver features as standard that enhance ink efficiency during the printing process. Using this setting optimises the ink cartridges’ life without substantially lowering the print quality.
Printing of your text documents can become more ink efficient with the activation of ink saver mode.
Key Takeaway: This feature delivers optimal results for standard printing jobs which include invoices, emails, and personal notes where high-resolution colour accuracy is not essential.
8. Switch to an Ink Tank Printer
If you are looking to save more money on printing, switch to printers that use ink tanks as opposed to ink cartridges. The ink tank printers allow you to refill their ink storage containers, which cost less than replacing original ink cartridges.
Ink tank printers usually come with two years of ink in the initial delivery. You can easily refill the tank when it runs out of ink. For large-volume print jobs, such printers offer great savings over a long period of time.
Key Takeaway: With refillable ink tanks, you’ll get more pages per refill, reducing both your ink and waste. It’s a smart investment for anyone who prints frequently, offering a more affordable, efficient, and eco-friendly way to handle your printing needs.
9. Maintain Your Printer Regularly
Printer efficiency and ink optimisation depend heavily on performing their regular maintenance. Over time, print heads become blocked, causing the ink to dry, which reduces printing quality. Your printer starts delivering poor-quality prints, and to get it back to performing like before, you must maintain it according to proper cleaning and maintenance practices.
Key Takeaway: Modern printers have automated cleaning mechanisms. Still, it is advisable to get it serviced once or twice a year, depending on your usage. Go to your printer settings to look for printer cleaning functions and activate them. A printer’s smooth operation also relies on periodically checking it for software updates and all available system upgrades.
10. Purchase Printers with High-Yield Ink Cartridges
When buying a new printer, opt for a model with high-capacity ink cartridges. By choosing it, you will benefit from long-term cost savings on ink usage.
Cartridges using high-yield technology or ink tanks contain substantial ink amounts to enable maximum page printing before replacement. If you have large-scale print requirements, these printers will offer a lower cost-per-page printing ratio.
Key Takeaway: High-yield ink cartridges hold more ink, meaning fewer replacements and a lower cost per page, making them ideal for high-volume printing. It's an upfront investment that pays off by reducing the frequency of ink changes and overall printing expenses.
Printer Models to Consider Saving Money on Printer Ink
Now that you know how to save money on printer ink, let’s look at a few printers that are specifically designed to keep your ink costs low. The combined features of operational efficiency and high yield offered by these models deliver significant value for users and their wallets.
Brother MFC-J6957DW 1200 x 4800 dpi A3 Wireless Multifunction Colour Inkjet Printer
People requiring premium printing capabilities at a great price should consider getting the Brother MFC-J6957DW. Users can take advantage of this printer’s A3 printing and 1200 x 4800 dpi resolution. It is suitable for individual and corporate needs. This printer allows wireless functionality, letting users send print jobs directly from any smart device like a phone, laptop or tablet to the printer.
Main Features
- High resolution of 1200 x 4800 dpi
- A3 printing capabilities
- Wireless and mobile printing options
- Large-capacity ink cartridges for longer usage
The printer serves businesses requiring sharp print quality on larger papers. Creative professionals will especially find this model useful. The printing costs also remain affordable because of the device's optimal use of the ink printer.
HP Pro 4302fdw 1200 x 1200 DPI A4 Wireless Multifunction Colour LaserJet Printer
his colour laser printer from HP produces top-level image resolution at 1200 DPI. The printer supports wireless connection and various other functions to serve both home and office requirements. This machine is designed to deliver swift print operations, so business professionals or students who need rapid, high-volume document output will find it beneficial.
Main Features
- 1200 x 1200 DPI resolution
- Wireless printing
- Fast print speeds
This machine contains multiple functions, including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. Despite their initial high cost, laser printers offer savings in the long run because they can print more before running out of ink. Users who need large print volumes should choose laser printers which provide lower per-page costs.
Canon MAXIFY GX7050 GX Multifunction Inkjet Printer
The Canon MAXIFY GX7050 is a competitively priced, refillable, inkjet colour printer. It provides a sustainable option to decrease operational costs. Having an ink tank system with high capacity lets you print many pages before refilling, thus minimising your ink expenses. Users benefit from this printer through its multiple features suitable for both office and home office environments.
Main Features
- Refillable ink system for low-cost printing
- Fast printing speeds
- Wireless and mobile printing options
- Colour ink for vibrant prints
If you require large print volumes, you can benefit from the Canon MAXIFY GX7050 model because it offers economy in ink costs.
Canon i-SENSYS MF657Cw Laser 4-in-1 Multifunction A4 Colour Wireless Printer – White
The Canon i-SENSYS MF657Cw is an A4 laser printer that offers a high-quality 4-in-1 multifunction experience. Users can perform different operations, including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, with this printer. Through wireless technology, users can send documents for printing from any location in their house or office.
Main Features
- The device integrates four functions, including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities.
- Wireless printing
- Compact and space-saving design
- Colour laser printing
This printer’s laser technology ensures that you’re getting more pages per cartridge, helping you save on printer ink refills over time.
Epson Ecotank ET-15000 A3 All-in-One Inkjet Colour Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 operates as an exceptional device made for intensive printing requirements. The printer's ink tank design enables it to operate 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 colour pages without needing ink tank replacement. The printer supports A3-sized prints, which makes it suitable for artists, photographers, and businesses requiring A3-size output.
Main Features
- A3 printing support
- High-capacity ink tank system
- Wireless connectivity
- Ultra-low-cost printing
For people who need to print big volumes at low ink costs, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 stands as the best option among affordable printers.
Epson EcoTank ET-8550 5760 x 1440 dpi A4 Wireless Multifunction Colour Inkjet Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 provides excellent value among many EcoTank models available in the market. Enjoy flawless results from the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 printer because its resolution can reach 5760 x 1440 dpi. It can satisfy the needs of photographers, animators, and graphic designers who strive for perfection in their colour prints. The refillable ink tank lets you save on ink expenses and generate less waste.
Main Features
- 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution for sharp, detailed prints
- Refills for lower ink costs
- Wireless connectivity
This device contains substantial ink reservoirs that reduce refill requirements. It also provides high-quality printing that suits those who want excellent prints without high ink cartridge expenses.
Final Thoughts
Your printer ink expenses become easier to manage when you implement the tips we have mentioned above and choose the appropriate printer model for your printing needs. Cartridge refilling, buying printers with greater yields or shifting to ink tank models will get you substantial ink savings over the long run. Finally, check the printer models we discussed because they will assist you in your print jobs and provide long-term financial savings. Start using these tips today, and soon enough, your printer ink costs will be a thing of the past.
Looking for a printer that saves you money on ink?
At Laptop Outlet, we stock a wide range of low-cost, high-efficiency printers designed to reduce your printing expenses. From EcoTank models to high-yield laser printers, we’ve got something for every budget and need. Shop printers now and start saving on ink today!
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