Printers - is there a cheaper way??

Chaos Coordinator · 02-19-2015, 07:11 AM

We use iOS devices so we need to be able to Air Print

I guess our current one is an ink jet?

I printed like forty weekly planning sheets and now I'm out of ink.

I don't do much in the way of work sheets (kids are toddler, preK and 1st grade) but need to be able to print clear concise planning & rhythm sheets for dh's sake. Plus I have one kid doing mazes and one who likes to color.

Is there a better way? Are laser printers actually more cost effective? Can they air print?

Dandelion · 02-19-2015, 07:20 AM

We bought a black and white laser printer when our last ink jet broke. Dh insists it is more cost effective. I really like it so far. The toner is pricey, but it should last a really long time.

Thia · 02-19-2015, 07:42 AM

One trick I learned recently is to find the setting allowing for a "draft" print. It uses less ink, but looks just fine. You could try googling to find out how to do this with your printer.

Chaos Coordinator · 02-19-2015, 08:08 AM

Since it's wireless printing we could feasibly have both set up and use the laser printer for black and white bulk jobs. We would just need to designate the desk space

the toner is not that much more expensive than Ink.

---------- Post added at 09:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ----------

I don't think I can set my current printer to draft quality. I can't even figure out how to change it to landscape orientation.

Katigre · 02-19-2015, 08:15 AM

We just bought an HP printer with their 'ink program' which is a set monthly fee for ink depending on how much you print. I've been pretty happy with it

.

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/t...you-should.ece

MidnightCafe · 02-19-2015, 08:43 AM

We bought a Continuous Ink Supply (CIS) system for our printer (http://www.cisinks.com/). We pay next to nothing for ink and it lasts forever. It's important to know that it voids any warranty on the printer to install the system, AND you have to have the printer in a place in your house where the ink supply is not going to be disturbed (the ink bottles sit outside the printer). If you can handle that, it's totally worth it. I'd never go back.

I think we've bought new ink 3 times in six years! We've printed a ton: photos, wedding & graduation invitations, all of our older DD's high school & college papers, brochures & business cards for my charity organization, and all the homeschool-y things we need for DD.

There are CIS systems for a number of different printer models. It's possible that you could get one for your current printer. We have a fancy Brother printer with a copier, scanner, USB ports, and wireless capability.

Earthmummy07 · 02-19-2015, 10:21 AM

I bought a laser printer in November 2014. I changed the toner in the following August, so... 10 months ish later? And this is the 'display' toner that came with it, which I hear has a smaller capacity.

We print a LOT, and £40 for toner every 9-10months is a lot better than £20 for ink that lasts us 2weeks

heartofjoy · 02-19-2015, 11:34 AM

I bought a laser printer last August. The toner that came with it only lasted two months, but I printed all our school schedule books and curriculum papers. The one I bought in Oct now says it has 86% left in it. I do print a lot. And I find that I'm willing to print more knowing that it won't eat up all my ink. We bought a black and white printer to save money. I go to the library if I must print in color, which is really never.

Earthmummy07 · 02-19-2015, 02:01 PM

Ooo, something else that was useful; it continued to print to a decent quality for probably 3 months after the little pop up bubble on the computer was telling me that it was empty

Our laser printer does wireless printing, if that is the same thing as air printing? (self confessed technophobe - I still plug it in with a wire

)

Chaos Coordinator · 02-19-2015, 02:09 PM

I don't actually know if it's somehow through Bluetooth or the internet connection or what. It's all a bit hocus pocus to me! My husband set it up. It's exciting to be able to find or create and print materials while laying In bed nursing the baby.

mamajane · 02-19-2015, 02:24 PM

Subbing. It's time to buy a new three-in-one here. Do cis systems come for both ink jet and laser printers? I'm thinking just for ink jet?

It sounds like a great option. I wonder how the out of pocket cost compares to laser refill when you do run out.

MidnightCafe · 02-19-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamajane

Subbing. It's time to buy a new three-in-one here. Do cis systems come for both ink jet and laser printers? I'm thinking just for ink jet?

It sounds like a great option. I wonder how the out of pocket cost compares to laser refill when you do run out.

I think just ink jet, too. The website lists "Recommended Printers" for using CIS.

We paid about $40 for the system. If you buy a refill for all your ink colors at once, it's a little over $20. Otherwise, it's $6 bottle. We've bought refills TWICE in SIX years - once because we actually ran out, and once because we bought a new printer and a new CIS.

ETA: I must say, the CIS is a royal pain to install. So, just know that you're asking for a project if you decide to go with one. I don't want to make it sound all easy. It has just saved us a TON of money because we print a LOT.

Chaos Coordinator · 02-19-2015, 02:57 PM

I am not sure we have anywhere we can put the bottles.

MidnightCafe · 02-19-2015, 03:09 PM

Here's my set up. The bottles need to be higher than the cartridges, and we cover them with a bag to keep dust out. The tubes are the real liability. If someone grabs those, you'll have ink all over. We double stick tape the bottles to the box they're sitting on & also tape the box to the side of the printer.

houseforjoy · 02-19-2015, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos Coordinator

I don't actually know if it's somehow through Bluetooth or the internet connection or what. It's all a bit hocus pocus to me! My husband set it up. It's exciting to be able to find or create and print materials while laying In bed nursing the baby.

see and the say muggles don't have magic

02-19-2015, 07:11 AM	#1
Chaos Coordinator Rose Garden They need freedom to just be fluffy mashed potatoes and feel their fluffy feelings. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Up to my earballs in little boys. Posts: 20,259	Printers - is there a cheaper way?? We use iOS devices so we need to be able to Air Print I guess our current one is an ink jet? I printed like forty weekly planning sheets and now I'm out of ink. I don't do much in the way of work sheets (kids are toddler, preK and 1st grade) but need to be able to print clear concise planning & rhythm sheets for dh's sake. Plus I have one kid doing mazes and one who likes to color. Is there a better way? Are laser printers actually more cost effective? Can they air print? __________________ Joy Progressive Methodist Enfp mama to Sparrow, 10 Zion, 7.5 Baby Gus, 4.5 Preschool teacher. Musician. Timelord. Www.justicemercymayhem.wordpress.com "What you plant in the kingdom will surely grow, and what you grow with love will surely bloom, and the fruit of the spirit will come back to you."

02-19-2015, 07:20 AM	#2
Dandelion Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5,508	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? We bought a black and white laser printer when our last ink jet broke. Dh insists it is more cost effective. I really like it so far. The toner is pricey, but it should last a really long time. __________________ aka, mamacheetah, Nicole wife to one daydreamer mama to seven - six boys with a girl in there somewhere B 8/99 O1 5/03 V 6/05 M 7/07 L 11/10 H 11/12 O2 11/15

02-19-2015, 07:42 AM	#3
Thia Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NY Posts: 3,755	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? One trick I learned recently is to find the setting allowing for a "draft" print. It uses less ink, but looks just fine. You could try googling to find out how to do this with your printer. __________________ ~Thia~ Wife & Mother Dd Oct 04~Ds Aug 06~Dd Aug 08~Dd Aug 10

02-19-2015, 08:08 AM	#4
Chaos Coordinator Rose Garden They need freedom to just be fluffy mashed potatoes and feel their fluffy feelings. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Up to my earballs in little boys. Posts: 20,259	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? Since it's wireless printing we could feasibly have both set up and use the laser printer for black and white bulk jobs. We would just need to designate the desk space the toner is not that much more expensive than Ink. ---------- Post added at 09:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ---------- I don't think I can set my current printer to draft quality. I can't even figure out how to change it to landscape orientation. __________________ Joy Progressive Methodist Enfp mama to Sparrow, 10 Zion, 7.5 Baby Gus, 4.5 Preschool teacher. Musician. Timelord. Www.justicemercymayhem.wordpress.com "What you plant in the kingdom will surely grow, and what you grow with love will surely bloom, and the fruit of the spirit will come back to you."

02-19-2015, 08:15 AM	#5
Katigre Rose Garden Why thank you, it is naturally blue... Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 21,278	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? We just bought an HP printer with their 'ink program' which is a set monthly fee for ink depending on how much you print. I've been pretty happy with it . http://www.dallasnews.com/business/t...you-should.ece

02-19-2015, 08:43 AM	#6
MidnightCafe Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,187	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? We bought a Continuous Ink Supply (CIS) system for our printer (http://www.cisinks.com/). We pay next to nothing for ink and it lasts forever. It's important to know that it voids any warranty on the printer to install the system, AND you have to have the printer in a place in your house where the ink supply is not going to be disturbed (the ink bottles sit outside the printer). If you can handle that, it's totally worth it. I'd never go back. I think we've bought new ink 3 times in six years! We've printed a ton: photos, wedding & graduation invitations, all of our older DD's high school & college papers, brochures & business cards for my charity organization, and all the homeschool-y things we need for DD. There are CIS systems for a number of different printer models. It's possible that you could get one for your current printer. We have a fancy Brother printer with a copier, scanner, USB ports, and wireless capability. __________________ Wife to DH, friend of my soul... Mama to Mane (age 14), Vespera (age 26), and Niteo (son-in-law)

02-19-2015, 10:21 AM	#7
Earthmummy07 Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 8,586	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? I bought a laser printer in November 2014. I changed the toner in the following August, so... 10 months ish later? And this is the 'display' toner that came with it, which I hear has a smaller capacity. We print a LOT, and £40 for toner every 9-10months is a lot better than £20 for ink that lasts us 2weeks

02-19-2015, 11:34 AM	#8
heartofjoy Moderator Assign positive intent Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 9,615	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? I bought a laser printer last August. The toner that came with it only lasted two months, but I printed all our school schedule books and curriculum papers. The one I bought in Oct now says it has 86% left in it. I do print a lot. And I find that I'm willing to print more knowing that it won't eat up all my ink. We bought a black and white printer to save money. I go to the library if I must print in color, which is really never. __________________ Desiree, mom to 5 sweet blessings, Lacy 24, Jordan 22, Joanna 20, Emma 19, and Ethan 17

02-19-2015, 02:01 PM	#9
Earthmummy07 Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 8,586	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? Ooo, something else that was useful; it continued to print to a decent quality for probably 3 months after the little pop up bubble on the computer was telling me that it was empty Our laser printer does wireless printing, if that is the same thing as air printing? (self confessed technophobe - I still plug it in with a wire ) __________________ Isabel Mama to BB, 13 S, 4 T, 2 And Miss A 27/3/2020 Always missing my 5 9/10-1/12 My new venture! www.facebook.com/dizzyknits

02-19-2015, 02:09 PM	#10
Chaos Coordinator Rose Garden They need freedom to just be fluffy mashed potatoes and feel their fluffy feelings. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Up to my earballs in little boys. Posts: 20,259	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? I don't actually know if it's somehow through Bluetooth or the internet connection or what. It's all a bit hocus pocus to me! My husband set it up. It's exciting to be able to find or create and print materials while laying In bed nursing the baby. __________________ Joy Progressive Methodist Enfp mama to Sparrow, 10 Zion, 7.5 Baby Gus, 4.5 Preschool teacher. Musician. Timelord. Www.justicemercymayhem.wordpress.com "What you plant in the kingdom will surely grow, and what you grow with love will surely bloom, and the fruit of the spirit will come back to you."

02-19-2015, 02:24 PM	#11
mamajane Rose Garden Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,675	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? Subbing. It's time to buy a new three-in-one here. Do cis systems come for both ink jet and laser printers? I'm thinking just for ink jet? It sounds like a great option. I wonder how the out of pocket cost compares to laser refill when you do run out. __________________ ISFP Ds 15 DDs 13, 10,and 7

02-19-2015, 02:57 PM	#13
Chaos Coordinator Rose Garden They need freedom to just be fluffy mashed potatoes and feel their fluffy feelings. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Up to my earballs in little boys. Posts: 20,259	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? I am not sure we have anywhere we can put the bottles. __________________ Joy Progressive Methodist Enfp mama to Sparrow, 10 Zion, 7.5 Baby Gus, 4.5 Preschool teacher. Musician. Timelord. Www.justicemercymayhem.wordpress.com "What you plant in the kingdom will surely grow, and what you grow with love will surely bloom, and the fruit of the spirit will come back to you."

02-19-2015, 03:09 PM	#14
MidnightCafe Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,187	Re: Printers - is there a cheaper way?? Here's my set up. The bottles need to be higher than the cartridges, and we cover them with a bag to keep dust out. The tubes are the real liability. If someone grabs those, you'll have ink all over. We double stick tape the bottles to the box they're sitting on & also tape the box to the side of the printer. __________________ Wife to DH, friend of my soul... Mama to Mane (age 14), Vespera (age 26), and Niteo (son-in-law)

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