Work-From-Home Printing Hacks: Save Time and Ink

Whether you’re a full-time remote worker or just using the home office a few days a week, printing can quickly become one of those small frustrations that interrupt your flow. Running out of ink mid-report or dealing with streaky printouts isn’t exactly part of the work-life balance we all strive for!

To mark Work Life Week, we’ve pulled together our best work-from-home printing hacks to help you save time, money, and ink — so you can focus on what really matters.

🖨️ 1. Use Draft Mode for Everyday Documents

Not everything needs to be presentation quality.
Switching your printer to Draft or Economy Mode cuts down ink use dramatically while still keeping text crisp and readable. Perfect for meeting notes, emails, or internal reports.

👉 You can usually find this setting under Printer Properties > Quality > Draft Mode.

💡 2. Print Double-Sided to Cut Costs and Clutter

Enable duplex printing to automatically print on both sides of the page. It saves paper, reduces your environmental footprint, and keeps your workspace tidy — a simple way to balance productivity and sustainability.

🧠 3. Choose the Right Font (It Really Helps!)

Some fonts use more ink than others — who knew?
Switching to Ecofont, Century Gothic, or Calibri can reduce ink usage by up to 20%. Over time, that adds up to real savings, especially if you print frequently.

⏰ 4. Keep Spare Cartridges Ready

Few things derail your morning quicker than seeing the dreaded “Low Ink” warning just before a video call.
Keep a spare set of cartridges on hand (and know where you’ve stored them!). That way, you’ll never be caught out mid-print.

💡 Tip: At Cartridge King, you can buy 2 and save 5% at checkout — ideal for stocking up your home office supplies.

🧴 5. Store Cartridges Correctly

If you’re working hybrid or don’t print every day, make sure your cartridges stay fresh:

  • Store them upright in a cool, dry place

  • Avoid direct sunlight or heat

  • Run a test print once a week to keep ink flowing

These simple steps help prevent drying and clogging, so your next big print job doesn’t start with a clean cycle.

🌿 6. Go Green with Your Printing

Work life balance also means doing your bit for the planet.
Recycle your used cartridges — many local recycling points or postal schemes (like ours!) accept empties responsibly. Pair that with recycled paper and energy-saving printer settings, and you’re on your way to a more eco-friendly workspace.

✨ 7. Keep Your Printer Drivers Updated

It’s not the most exciting job on your to-do list, but updating your printer software can improve print quality and ink efficiency. Most manufacturers (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother) offer auto-update tools on their websites — worth checking once a month.

💬 Final Thought

Balancing work and life starts with simplifying the small things — like making printing stress-free.
With these simple hacks, you’ll save time, save ink, and keep your home office running smoothly.

🛒 Ready to restock?

Browse our full range of genuine HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother inks — all at competitive prices and with fast next-day delivery if you order before 1pm.

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