Forms of media requiring printing like newspapers and magazines may be suffering from a decline recently, but one form of printing remains very popular – print-outs from computers! A significant expense of many offices is the cost of all the printing going on, resulting in the recurring expense of having to replace the laser toner cartridges that make printing possible. Yet there are some simple tips that can be tried to reduce this expense.

A laser toner printer utilises static electricity to transfer toner powder from a toner cartridge to whatever paper you are using to print. It is a simple and reliable technique and often costs less than other forms of office printers. The prices of toner cartridges have actually dropped over the past decade, but are still expensive enough to make it worthwhile to make an extra effort to reduce their cost.

One easy way to save is to order the toner cartridges in bulk. Just like with anything else, the more you buy the more likely you are to get a good price. The shipping and handling costs are often cheaper or even free on larger orders. You may be pleasantly surprised by asking your supplier about any volume based discounts they may offer. Always be on the lookout for discount coupons or special sales. There may be additional discounts as well for government offices, school related fields or charities. Many suppliers offer discounts that can be obtained by buying toner cartridges in combination with other office supplies. Again, you don\’t know if you don\’t ask.

Another common way to save is by not buying the name brand toner cartridges and instead buying cartridges from more obscure brands, often resulting in a much cheaper price. There is always the risk of a corresponding drop in quality, but quite often the results from going with the no-name brand are just as good. Toner cartridges can be recycled and refilled, with significant savings of up to 50 percent or more. The main limitation is that they are hard to get retail and usually require going online. Some retailers offer credits or coupons for recycling spent cartridges.

Another saving tip is to put your printer quality setting on \”draft\” when you are making a copy strictly for your own use. Less ink and toner will be used, and just save the top quality printing for those occasions when you actually need a perfect copy.

One popular option in these eco-friendly times is refilling the cartridges yourself, and kits are sold for precisely this purpose, but they are not for everybody. It can be difficult to refill a toner cartridge without making a mess even if you have a steady hand. Considering the time and effort involved, personally refilling the cartridges is an option usually reserved only for the most penny-pinching office managers.

All of these techniques will save you at least some money, and since printing is a relentlessly necessary office expense, even small savings over time will add up to significant sums. For that reason any efforts made towards saving on laser toner cartridges are worthwhile.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World, providers of office supplies such as refill ink cartridges and toner cartridges.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World (http://www.cartridgeworld.co.uk), providers of office supplies such as refill ink cartridges and toner cartridges.

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World, providers of office supplies such as refill ink cartridges and toner cartridges.

Category: Advice
Keywords: office supplies, printer cartridges, inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges