Whether you are running a home office in the North Shore or a busy firm in Penrose, printing costs can quietly eat your budget. In 2026, “smart printing” is no longer just about using less paper—it’s about choosing the right technology for the hybrid work era.
Here are 6 expert tips to slash your printing bills.
1. Ditch Cartridges for Ink Tanks
The “cheap printer, expensive ink” model is dying. In 2026, Ink Tank printers are the gold standard for savings.
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The Math: While an ink tank printer costs more upfront, a single set of ink bottles can print up to 6,000–8,000 pages.
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The Result: You can reduce your cost-per-page from roughly 10–15 cents (cartridges) to less than 1 cent (tanks). If you print more than 20 pages a week, a tank printer will pay for itself in less than a year.
2. Default to “Smart Duplexing”
Most modern printers now come with automatic duplexing (double-sided printing).
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The Tip: Don’t just “use it”—set it as your System Default in your print driver settings. This instantly halves your paper costs. In 2026, many eco-conscious Auckland businesses have made double-sided printing a mandatory office policy to reduce their carbon footprint.
3. Use “Draft Mode” for Internal Docs
Do you really need high-resolution, deep-black ink for an internal meeting agenda or a shipping label?
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The Fix: Switch your default quality to “Draft” or “Economy.” This uses significantly less ink and prints much faster. Save the “Best” quality setting strictly for client-facing presentations or high-quality photos.
4. Be Skeptical of “Low Ink” Warnings
Printer software is notoriously “pessimistic.” Research shows that many “Low Ink” warnings appear when there is still 15–20% of usable ink left in the cartridge.
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The Rule: Don’t swap the cartridge until you actually see the print quality start to fade. (Note: This applies to cartridges; for Ink Tank users, simply keep an eye on the transparent tanks on the front of your machine!)
5. Consolidate with Multi-Function Devices (MFD)
Running a separate scanner, fax, and printer uses more electricity and requires more maintenance.
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The Fix: Modern MFDs are highly energy-efficient and take up less desk space. By consolidating your hardware, you reduce the number of different consumables (toners/drums) you need to stock.
6. Prevent “Clog-Induced” Waste
The most expensive ink is the ink you waste during “Deep Cleaning” cycles because your print heads dried out.
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The Habit: In Auckland’s humid climate, ink can still gunk up if left sitting. Print a simple “Test Page” once a week to keep the ink flowing. This prevents the need for a “Power Clean,” which can suck up to 10% of a cartridge’s volume in one go.
Professional Printer Repair in Auckland
Struggling with a “Ghost in the Machine” or a printer that refuses to join your Wi-Fi? Advanced Computers offers comprehensive printer repair services for homes and small businesses.
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Printer Setup & Networking: We ensure your new Ink Tank or Laser printer is seamlessly connected to all your devices.
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Managed Print Advice: Not sure which printer to buy? We provide independent advice based on your actual monthly volume.
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Hardware Repairs: From paper jam extractions to fuser replacements at our North Shore and Penrose workshops.
Let us help you optimise your office:
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North Shore: 7C Triton Drive, Rosedale
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Penrose: 67 Station Road, Auckland
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Call: 0800 622 349