How to minimize ink usage? [HP Printers]

eddiep · 02-14-2007, 06:53 AM

Hi all,

I recently bought an HP K550, before that I had another inkjet HP printer. I observed, that in both cases, printing in Linux used much more ink that in windows.
The issue is, DRAFT setting in CUPS (LINUX) uses about the same amount of ink that NORMAL in windows.

How can I change the driver setting in CUPS - HPLIP is installed and used too - to reduce ink usage under the standard DRAFT setting? For personal use I do not need that high quality beatiful printouts.

Thanks.

Electro · 02-15-2007, 12:14 AM

Use a lower DPI setting or adjust the lighter/darker settings. Around 300 DPI provides very good for text and some graphics.

Usually draft in Windows uses the lowest DPI setting, so you should use the same.

eddiep · 02-15-2007, 10:40 AM

OK, but where can I change the DPI??? And the lighter/darker settings???

In CUPS lower then 300 DPI can not be set.

All I menaged to figure out since my post, was a FastDraft 300 dpi setting in CUPS. It is a little bit less ink consumer know, but still over Windows's draft setting.

Electro · 02-15-2007, 06:12 PM

I read through the PPD file at linuxprinting.org, it seems the printer or the software does not support lower DPI which is poor by my opinion. If you think the ink usage is too much, write a bug report about the issue. I suggest investing in a color laser printer that does not have these problems.

UhhMaybe · 03-21-2007, 09:58 AM

Another ink saver is to turn the printer off when not in use. The extra heat, from being in the "on" position and warm room temperature contribute to the ink being less water and more color compound. If YOU have access to an ink jet kit: try adding small; very few drops, of water to the ink modules. If YOU use Gnome, it has settings for Gnome-print.