how to Save Money: Printers

So I think I should be more money savvy and try to cut back on the ka-ching outflow.. It's the recession, everybody's got low cash and inflation is pretty much killing ur wallets. So how can we save on $$$ on printers?

Personally I use Canon iP Pixma 1600, I know its a DINOSAUR! My current use for it is mainly just for printing out notes (in black and white) and the occasional fliers for CPAASC with colour ink.  Below are a few suggestions to minimise expenditure printer-wise:

1. Print at your dad/mom's office. I'm sure they won't mind!

2. Refill your own ink cartridge. Buy a refill kit instead of a new inkl. My ink are PG 40 (black ) and PG41 (colour) They respectively cost RM70+ and RM80 ++ each. But a black ink refill set costs only RM15 for two full black catridges! 

Of course, you'll have to be careful and follow the instructions properly to drill the hole, make sure its the right spot, inject properly and seal up with maskin tape amd test the printer buy hey! You save a LOT.

If you're somewhat unsure about how to inject or where to drill them holes (especially for colour cartridges.. Yes, cartridges! I was searching for that word la XD) don't fret - just google em up with the keywords such as your cartridge number, how to, refill colour ink etc. It works for me so it hsould be fine whatever type you have. 

3. Change your printer setting to low quality. This saves up alot in the long run.

4. Sometimes some documents can be edited - delete those unnecessary slides or pictures from your lecturer's powerpoints before printing. Some word documents can br printed 2 on one page instead of going for the normal single page. Adjust the fonts to a smaller one. Save wherever you can!

5. When printing websites, don't print screen. Copy and paste the required text into Word and THEN print.

6. This might sound rather leecherous, but you can ask your friends to print for you (lol!) if they don't mind.. I take that back its not such a good idea.

UPDATE

7. When PC Fair comes (like Pikom's, you can check when they're coming at http://pikom.org.my/) go and stock up on printer inks and so on! It's a really good idea - you can buy a whole lot in bundles and bargain for discounts and unlike other items, printer ink will not spoil if you keep it properly. Thanks to Kyra for the heads-up!

8. Also forgot about the A4 papers needed for printing on~! Well, this would fall under Stationery (and I think a post on that will come up soon~) but in the meantime you should consider checking out warehouses selling satationery to get good quality A4 paper for printing. 

I have a few choices: the normal, not-fantastic-quality-but-still-printable paper which I use for lecture slides and not-so-important documents, while the better types (the ones that have a bit of blue to them also abit thicker and therefore more expensive) I save for assignments and letters. So, all is good.

Sometimes I get blank papers from my dad's office as well and some lucky find in the library. 

Hoep these tips help!!