Those who use a lot of ink or toner for printing may want to consider purchasing the cartridges in bulk. This way, you are able to save money and you will always have extra cartridges on hand. Nothing is more annoying than working on a large project late into the night, only to find you are unable to print everything because you have run short on ink. By purchasing it in bulk, you will not have to worry about this happening.

The main advantage to buying ink or toner cartridges in bulk is the savings you will get. Just like purchasing other items in bulk, the manufacturer rewards you for your commitment. The fact that less packaging is being used is another reason for the cost savings. Considering how expensive printer ink and toner refills can be, it is great to be able to save even a small percentage of what you would normally pay.

Keep in mind though, if you are planning to purchase bulk ink, you will need to use it by a certain date. Ink cartridges have expiration dates, and many do not allow you to use them beyond that date. The actual cartridge may have a chip that prevents use. This is because dried ink inserted into a printer can damage the printer. The manufacturer does not want to be responsible for damage caused by expired ink.

The best way to determine if you should be buying ink or toner in bulk is to calculate your usage for a three month period. Once you have determined exactly what you are using, you will be able to determine if it is possible to use a bulk supply by an expiration date. Many companies allow you to choose how many cartridges you will purchase. This way, you are able to keep a six month supply on hand, knowing it will be used by the time it expires. If you are going to be keeping a bulk supply of ink on hand, be sure you store it properly. The supply will need a cool, dry location, preferably out of direct sunlight.

Some printers allow you to insert excess ink into a reservoir. If you have a printer like this, bulk ink can be stored inside the printer, but may dry up faster than ink cartridges. To find out if your printer has an ink reservoir, consult your user manual.

Finally keep in mind some disadvantages to purchasing ink or toner in bulk. Your supply of ink will mean you are committed to that printer for however long a period you have stocked the ink. Even if you are perfectly happy with your printer, there is always the chance it could break. In addition to the added expense of a replacement printer, you will have lost out on what you have spent on the ink supply for the broken printer. This can be a frustrating waste of money.

If you are considering purchasing ink or toner in bulk for you computer, you may find the decision saves you a great deal of time and money. Weigh the pros and cons of a bulk purchase, and you will make a smart choice that suits your needs.

It may surprise some home-bodies to know that a lot of people are looking for a convenient printing option they can carry with them. There are a number of reliable, compact printers on the market that are great for on-the-go printing. Choosing the best option for you is easy once you understand the features available in your price range.

The Canon i80 is an option that will work for those not looking to spend a great deal on a reliable travel printer. It is slender and lightweight, making it great for transporting. It offers a simple set-up so you will not be frustrated when getting started with using your new printer. It comes with a car charger, which is a great savings since the convenient gadgets can be pricey. The photo printing quality is exceptional. It does have a low paper capacity, so if you are printing a lot of large documents, it will require a lot of manual feeding. Some reported the paper feeder is not accurate, also requiring your attention when printing. The printer uses only Canon consumables, so do not count on generic ink options when replacining your ink cartridges. This printer retails for around £150.

The HP Deskjet 460 wbt is a wireless option that is easy to configure and typically has no connection issues. This means you can connect to the internet on the road without hooking up your laptop. It offers good text printing and usually has very few paper jams or feed errors. The consumable prices are reasonable, so even though you will have to use HP ink cartridges, you will not be spending an arm and a leg. There are also two memory card slots which allows you to pull information and photos right from the card to your printer. Some feel this printer uses a great deal of ink when printing in color, and they do not feel it has great photo quality. Its blocky shape and size also makes it less desirable as a travel option. The printer retails for around £193.

Another option from Canon, the ip90v is a very affordable option that will work for those who want a printer for text documents and images more than photos. It is lightweight and you can purchase a car charger for an additional fee. The “v” in the name stands for Vista enabled, a feature that is important if your computer uses the Vista operating system. The printing shows no graininess, but does have some color fading. It is not a high-quality photo printer, but is considered adequate for a travel printer of its price range. It does require manual configuration and installation, so plan on some time getting it set up at the beginning. The consumables are pricey and the printer has no memory slot. However, for right around £90, it is a good deal for the amount you will spend.

Finally, the Pentax PocketJet 3 is best known for its sleek, black design that barely looks like a printer. It fits in a laptop bag or backpack and is the most effective printing option for its size. It is speedy and offers 300 dpi printing. It is also Mac compatible. There is only a one page feed, so printing large documents will be very time consuming. The print quality is lower than on other travel printers, but adequate for the size and convenience of this printer. It retails for around £166.

Finding the right travel printer does not have to be frustrating. Determine what your needs are and shop for an option within your budget featuring those options.

If it seems like every profession and piece of equipment has its own trade magazine, that is probably because it does. Printers are no different. There are magazines, websites, and other resources you can refer to when wanting to know more about printers, printer supplies, and printer news. The following is a list of a few of the best places to turn for the latest in printer news and information.

American Printer offers a variety of articles and reviews concerning paper and ink products. They have how-to information featured on their website so if you are struggling with a specific task, you might find the answer there. The site features a special environmental section to help you find the most green solutions to your printer issues. You can also request an email subscription so you will be kept up to date with their email newsletter. American Printer can be reached via their website at www.americanprinter.com.

Printing Talk is a trade magazine for printer afficionados. Their website offers a massive amount of information for anyone who provides printing services. They go beyond the usual news and reviews of specific printers and offer trade tips unique to those who use printing to make their living. Printing Talk is located at www.printingtalk.com.

The Big Picture is a magazine for those who work with large format digital printing. They offer a newsletter and message board, so they have a very active community of people available to answer questions and give tips. You can find them at http://bigpicture.net. The site also features a calendar of upcoming events that may be of interest to those in the printing industry.

Wired, one of the technological industries most respected resources offers more than just printer information. There are reviews of a variety of tech products. Their website is irreverent and well-written. If you prefer a bit of humor with your printer news, turn to their cutting edge information and articles to keep you up to date. You can find Wired at http://www.wired.com.

Technology Review offers computing and gizmo news that can be useful to anyone using a printer on the regular basis. They also offer information about computers, web, communications, biomedicine, and business. Their site is sort of a one-stop shop for all things tech. It probably is not the best source for a novice computer user shopping for a printer, but could help a lot with higher end computer and printer issues. Those in search of a plethora of information can head to http://www.technologyreview.com.

If you are searching for printer information and news, there are numerous places you can use to hunt down answers to your questions. When shopping for a new printer, turn to consumer reviews as well as what the pros have to say. If it is general information you seek, try browsing forums and message boards that deal with printer and computer issues. Blogs often offer a lot of information in an entertaining and fun to read style. And last but certainly not least, you can refer to this website to get many of your printer questions answered!

While some may refer to ink and toner as being one and the same, there are actually quite a few differences in how they are made and how they function. For starters, toners and inks can not be used interchangeably with printers. Inkjet printers use ink and laser printers use toner. Toner is a powder that is carbon based. It is made up of dye granules that have polymers that help it to adhere to paper.

Toner comes in a cartridge, just like liquid ink. It is typically more expensive then liquid ink, but it lasts a longer time and is capable of printing more pages per cartridge. Keep in mind that many of the rules of technology apply to toner cartridges. The higher the quality, and more expensive, the cartridge, the better it will operate. Higher quality, expensive cartridges are filled with very finely ground powder. The less expensive toner cartridges are going to have larger granules of powder and you may find that it smears or does not otherwise perform as well.

Most home users choose inkjet printers and find they work fine for their needs. However, those choosing a printer for business purposes may prefer laser printers and toner printing. Laser printers are more expensive and take up more space, but they offer better quality printing and they are often faster and more efficient.

Those using a laser printer will find they need to change the toner cartridge just as someone using an inkjet printer will need to change the ink cartridge. Due to the tendency of toner to spill from the cartridge, it may be wise to use rubber gloves and an apron when changing the toner cartridge. Should toner get on your skin, washing it immediately with soap and water. You should also avoid breathing toner and may want to wear a paper mask when changing toner cartridges to avoid inhaling microscopic particles.The FDA has classified toner powder as a class A carcinogen. There is some debate over how much harm it can cause skin, but those working around toner are advised to be safe instead of sorry. Printer companies insist their products have been tested and present no real danger to users. Others believe toner powder is the single most dangerous aspect of computer technology.

Should you spill toner on clothing or carpet, vacuum the powder immediately. After vacuuming, you can blot the area with cold water. If putting your stained clothing in the washing machine, wash on cold and air dry. Heat will fuse the color into the fabric and you will find you have a permanent stain. In either case, on clothing or on carpet, do not rub the toner. This will smear the powder into the fabric and make it more difficult, or impossible, to remove.

Understanding the difference between ink and toner can help you make the correct choice when purchasing a printer. If you work with a laser printer, being familiar with toner will also help you to be safe when in the work environment.

Even if your printer is older than you care to admit, you can still keep it performing optimally with a few simple tricks. Many of these may seem like common sense to some, but other people may realize they have been doing gradual damage to their printer over the years.

1. Always use the on/off switch. There are a few ways to shut down your printer, and this is the safest. Just like powering down your computer is a process, shutting down your printer should not include ripping the power cord from the wall. Once you have completed a print job, push the on/off button on your printer and allow it to shut down prior to unplugging.

2. Avoid leaving the ink cartridge cradle empty. When your printer runs low on ink, wait until you have a new cartridge on hand to begin the swap-out process. If you remove the cartridge and leave it empty for a few days (or longer!) prior to inserting a new cartridge, you will find that dust and debris build up in the cradle. This can damage the new cartridge and the printer.

3. Use your printer regularly. Obviously, this is not going to be a problem for printaholics. Those who use their printer for work will actually want to consider giving it a breather once in awhile. But if you use your printer only occasionally, be sure to fire it up frequently enough. The make and model of the printer will determine what “enough” actually is, but if you use your printer about once per week, even for a small print job, you should not have a problem.

4. Use your cleaning software. Most printers come with tools that can be used to clean the printer. Follow the directions and use them! You can also search for cleaning tips for your specific printer online.

5. Use high quality paper. In some cases, this will not make a noticeable difference in the life of your printer. However, you may find that a cheaper printer jams less with more expensive paper. If you find your printer jamming fairly regularly, blame your paper quality first. Also keep in mind that each jam puts wear and tear on printer parts.

6. Read your warranty and observe its tenants. What you are able to get away with occasionally, like generic ink, may do little to extend the life of your printer. If you are fine with buying a new printer in order to save money during its lifetime, go for it. But if you want one printer to last a lifetime, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

7. Location, location, location. Store your printer in an area where it is well-supported, out of direct sunlight, heat, and cold, and relatively dust free. Also be sure the cords are out of walkways. Nothing reduces the performance of a printer more quickly than someone tripping over the cord and crashing it to the ground.

8. Watch for warning signs. If your printer begins clunking, churning, or clamoring, chances are it is on its last legs. Take care of the problems before they waste ink or ruin projects.

9. Do not use bent, torn, or crumpled paper. Those wanting to save paper should make sure any paper they reuse to print on is flat and free of creases and rips.

10. Store your bulk paper in low humidity. This will keep it from sticking and jamming. There are different opinions concerning fanning the paper, but most experienced printers seem to think this does little to help your printer.

11. Read your manual. The manufacturer’s manual may offer additional care and maintenance tips. If you bought your printer used, you may be able to find the appropriate manual online.

Everyone that has ever planned a wedding knows how expensive everything can be. Even those planning a simple event with few guests find themselves marveling at the price vendors charge for their services. There are ways to cut costs though, with a little do-it-yourself know-how. If you can tackle some of the smaller tasks on your own, that leaves you more money to concentrate on things you know you can not handle yourself.

Any of the printed materials can be made with your printer at home, and they can be created well in advance of the big day. Leading up to the wedding, you will find numerous occasions which call for printed materials. Are you are engaged, you will want to send announcements to your friends and family. A simple postcard is inexpensive and simple to make. It may be too early to choose a consistent color scheme, so just make the cards fun and include a photo of the two of you taken around the time of the engagement.

If you choose to have a long engagement, you can keep people up to date with a wedding newsletter. These may take a little time, but they are a great way for guests to get to know one another prior to the wedding. Send your newsletter once a month, bi-monthly. or choose a round number like six or ten for total newsletters. Introduce the wedding party, announce events in guest’s lives, and update everyone on plans for the big day.

Those opting not to send a wedding newsletter may want to alert everyone to their upcoming wedding with a save the date card. A small postcard sent a few months in advance lets everyone know to keep the big day free. This is a much simpler mailing than the invitations, and is usually just a small postcard including the date and location of the ceremony. Design it so guests can post it on their bulletin board and keep the upcoming date in mind.

One of the most expensive parts of any wedding is the invitations. When you add up the costs of the cardstock, the printing and embossing, envelopes, RSVP cards, and postage, you could be looking at a bill well over £500. Making your own means complete creative control and significantly lower cost. Choose colors that coordinate with the colors of the wedding. This is a great time to begin incorporating your wedding theme. Invitations printed at home are probably better suited for a less formal wedding, but modern paper and printer options may have even the most elegant of brides choosing to make her own.

In preparation for the ceremony and reception, you will want to create a program that includes names of those in the wedding party, readings or speeches given during the ceremony, and any special commemorative notes. Some brides choose to have a program for their reception as well. This gives guests an idea of what time expected events will occur. You can also include fun notes to guests or special thanks to those that have supported your relationship. Finally, if you are having formal seating, you can print your own placecards to direct everyone to their seats.

If your engagement and wedding planning has left you wondering how you are going to cover the expense of the special day, consider creating the printed materials at home. You can use your printer for basic needs, or you can get creative and add flare to your ceremony and reception. Your printer will be an invaluable tool during your wedding planning.

While many people may feel that purchasing a printer is not an overwhelming expense, those that are in the market may still choose to buy a used printer. If they are not planning to do a great deal of printing, or there is a reason for them to own more the one printer, a used model may be a perfectly acceptable solution. A used printer may also be a great option for a student.

Often, the only difference between a brand new printer and one that is only one or two years old is the number of pages it can print per minute. There are often technological advances, but they are so advanced that a regular consumer would be unable to detect them. Someone that is buying a printer simply to print copies of documents they type will often see no difference between the most updated version and one that is a few years old.

Those looking for used printers can shop at garage sales and flea markets. In the past, you would not be able to find a high quality printer at a location like this. However, in recent years it has become popular and cost effective to upgrade on the fairly regular basis. This means that those searching for a used printer can find a fairly modern, only slightly used printer for a bargain price.

When shopping for a used printer, be sure to check a few things to guarantee you are getting a good value. You can print a test sheet when the computer is not hooked up to a computer. This will show you the print quality and may give you some indication as to how soon a printer ink replacement may be needed.

If you decide to consider a used printer, it may be best to determine which model you are looking for ahead of time. If there is an option that you may not be able to afford brand new, you might be able to find it slightly used or refurbished for an affordable price. This also narrows your choices and will guide you in the right direction when shopping.

Another tip is to purchase the printer in person. This way, you are able to not only print a test sheet, you can look in the print terminal for dust, check for toner leakage, and make sure there is no paper jammed anywhere in the printer. Also be sure all of the necessary cords are included, and consider the USB cables that may be needed.

The final thing to keep in mind when considering the purchase of a used printer is the fact that printer companies are working to discourage the resale of printers. Some of them raise the cost of the printer cartridges on older models in order to encourage people to upgrade to the latest model. If you are thinking of buying used, take into account this increase in ink cost. In the long run, you may find it cheaper to purchase a brand new printer if ink costs will remain reasonable for a few additional years after your purchase. If a brand new printer is not in the budget though, a used one may be a perfectly reasonable option.

If you’re heading out to university this fall, chances are you’ve got a long list of things to pack. While you’re doing your going-away shopping, don’t forget to buy a printer.

Many universities have printers for students to use, sometimes for free and other times for a nominal fee, on campus. But it’s still extremely useful to have your own printer. Often the communal printer isn’t on the same floor as your dorm room—and you could find yourself running up and down several flights of stairs to reprint your document after discovering the printer is out of paper, you made a minor formatting mistake, or someone else took your paper by mistake. In addition, it can be tough to get access to printers during finals week when nearly everyone on campus is printing out a fifteen-page term paper.

Here are a few tips for finding the best printer to take with you to college.

Look for low long-term costs. As a college student, it’s likely you won’t have a lot of money—and when you do have it, you can think of other things you’d rather spend it on than a lot of expensive printer ink. So even if it means larger up-front costs, look for a brand of printer that offers relatively low-cost printer cartridges. This way, you can afford to keep your printer running once its first round of ink cartridges runs out.

Look for versatile printing capability. You’re likely to print out a lot of black-and-white text documents while you’re in school. But what if your professor assigns you a paper with a graphics component? What if you have to take pictures as part of your project?

There are certain majors that will almost definitely need good colour printing capabilities—photography and graphic design majors, for example. But no matter your major, your professors may hand you assignments you’re not expecting. So choose a printer that’s versatile enough to handle it.

Look for fast printing capability. You may have to run off some long papers during your time at school, so choose a printer that prints out pages quickly. Laser printers tend to print faster than the typical Inkjet, and they cost less in terms of cartridges as well—although they do cost more up front. Still, if you know you’ll be printing a lot of long papers and speed is a concern to you, they might be worth the cost.

Look for quiet operation. Chances are you’ll be doing a few all-nighters—and you might need to print a paper or project at four in the morning. Choose a printer that won’t wake your roommate—or the whole dorm—when it’s printing. A loud printer can make quite a racket, and those dorm walls can be thin—so don’t be “that guy” with the loud printer. If you choose a quieter printer, it’s likely you’ll be more popular with everyone who lives on your floor.

Look for a machine that will fit in your room. The average dorm room isn’t that large—and your desk isn’t likely to have room for a big, bulky all-in-one printer. Choose a printer that’s small enough to fit in the space you have without taking it over, and you’re more likely to have room for everything in your study space. Bear in mind that you’ll need room for consumables too, like printer paper and extra cartridges.

Look for reliability. The last thing you want when your paper is due in fifteen minutes is to have a paper jam. Read reviews on any printer you buy and make sure it’s easy to use and won’t break at inopportune times.

Choosing a printer for university is like choosing a printer for work or home—simply take into account where you’ll be keeping the printer, the type of jobs you plan to be using it for, your budget, and other environmental factors. There are plenty of cheap Inkjets out there, but many of the cheapest models have the most expensive ink—so check ink prices before you buy. In addition, look for a printer that’s small enough to fit, prints quickly and quietly, and is reliable enough to depend on, and you should have the ideal printer for any university student.