Learn 6 ways to save on printing

Spelling and Grammar checks are simple to use and built into most word processing software.

HP Smart Print is a free, downloadable application that lets you select, store, combine, and print exactly the content you want.¹

Many HP printers feature automatic duplexing, which can reduce paper use by up to half.

There are many ways to reduce the amount of paper you use:

• Proof before you print: A lot of paper (and ink!) can be wasted printing pages you don't need or can't use. Whether it's a book report or a letter to a friend, always run a spelling and grammar check to correct any mistakes you might have made.
• Print effectively from the Web: Sometimes printing from the Internet gives you pages of poorly formatted text with unwanted ads, headers, and navigation menus. End that paper waste with HP Smart Print.¹ This free, downloadable application lets you select, store, combine, and print exactly the content you want.
• Print on both sides—automatically: This simple tip can cut your paper use by up to half! Many HP printers offer automatic two-sided printing. Learn how automatic duplexing works. Or, visit the HP Printer buying guides and look for the row marked “Auto 2-sided printing.”
• Print on both sides—manually: Manual two-sided printing is available to everyone, regardless of printer model. Learn how to print two-sided manually. You can also add automatic duplexing to select HP inkjet printers with an HP Automatic two-sided printing accessory.
• Reuse paper: Try re-using paper that you’ve previously printed on. This is perfect for directions, emails, or other one-use, informal documents.

Already doing this but tired of switching out the scrap paper to print on regular paper? If you have a second paper tray, there’s an easy solution! Learn how to set up a second tray that uses re-used paper.

Learn more paper saving tips.

Viewing your document in Print Layout can keep you on track while you’re working.

Before you print, check the layout of your document using Print Preview.

Seeing how your document will look on the page before you print can greatly reduce misprints, saving you paper, ink, and time. Microsoft Word offers multiple ways to bring it all into view:

• View in Print Layout: Microsoft Word allows you to type documents in page layout, so you can see what your page will look like in printed form while you're working. Just go to View > Page Layout.
• Use Print Preview: See how the entire document will look on the page before you print it. While in this view, you can scroll through each page. To see this feature, select File > Print Preview. Hit Esc to return to the normal view.
• Choose select pages to print: Using Print Preview, look through the document and make note of the page or pages you’d rather not print. Then,
  in the print dialog box, select the desired page range (for example, pages 1 to 2).
• Scale prints to fit the page: Not everything fits perfectly inside a standard page size! Some printers let you automatically scale (resize) your documents up or down in size so they’re just right.²

Print Properties is a great way to save—use less ink by printing in grayscale, in draft more, and more!

Save on color ink by switching printing in black-and-white. Depending on your printer, it may also be called Grayscale or Monochrome.

Print properties or print settings offer many ways to help you print smarter!

• Use draft mode: Your printer has different quality settings that use various amounts of ink. Reduce the setting to Draft for everyday print jobs like driving directions and recipes.
• Choose black-and-white: Color ink is generally more expensive than black ink, so it's best to only use it when you really need it. Save color ink by switching to grayscale or black-and-white printing.
• Adjust the page layout: There are times when you don’t need to print full-sized documents or photos (for example, when you’re previewing several photo prints at once). Rather than printing full-sized, print more than one page per sheet of paper.

Tip: It may seem a bit intimidating, but don’t be afraid to change your print settings in Word 2010. They will return to their defaults when you close the program!

Learn more about using printer settings to help you get the right quality for your print project.

Print heads are activated when you insert the ink cartridge into the printer.

Perhaps you've noticed that even if you rarely print, your ink may start to run low. This happens because the printer may automatically run routine maintenance to clean the print heads (the little nozzles that distribute the ink).

If you want to conserve both ink and energy, here are two things you can do:

• Print regularly: Once a week is a good printing goal. This will keep the print heads clear of any ink buildup.
• Long periods between prints: Turn your printer off from the on/off button. Don't turn it off from the power strip—the printer needs to reset before shutting down.

When compared with standard Original HP cartridges, XL cartridges need to be replaced less often, meaning less packaging materials per printed page—and less hassle!

Need ink but not sure what to buy? Use the HP Supplies Finder to purchase Original HP ink for your printer.

Even if you print regularly and use all the steps above to reduce your ink usage, HP offers additional opportunities to save on ink. And, when you choose ink carefully, you can lighten your impact on the environment without lightening your wallet:

• Choose XL cartridges: Many HP printer models are compatible with Original HP high-capacity (XL) ink cartridges. Save up to 40% on your printing with Original HP XL Ink cartridges³
• Buy multipacks: Multipacks bundle multiple ink cartridges in one package, helping you stretch your money further. In fact, you can save up to 10% with HP ink multipacks.⁴
• Use HP Original Ink: Many HP ink cartridges have been engineered to use recycled plastic—and for those that do, up to 70% of the cartridge is made from recycled material.⁵ Plus, all HP ink cartridges have exterior retail packaging made with 80% recycled content paperboard.
• Recycle your ink cartridges: HP offers free and convenient return and recycling options.

Save energy by using an HP printer that is ENERGY STAR^® qualified. For example, the HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One uses less than 1 watt of energy while in Off mode.⁸

HP offers a variety of ENERGY STAR^® qualified printers that use fewer resources, reduce energy consumption, and are designed with the environment in mind.⁶

HP ENERGY STAR^® products also:

• Produce less heat and reduce cooling loads by nearly 15% (up to 30% in warmer climates).⁷
• Automatically go into Sleep mode after periods of inactivity.
• Use roughly half as much electricity as other products—cutting your utility costs in half as well.⁶
• Learn more about HP ENERGY STAR^® products.

To find efficient HP printers and All-in-Ones, view the entire selection of HP Printers.

Or, to compare printers side by side, visit the HP Printer buying guide.