Printing Hacks for The Savvy University Student

Just like death and taxes, it is inevitable that you will have printing needs all throughout your higher education journey. You’ll need study notes, some professors will require a physical submission, and you can’t forget the occasional presentation poster. This can seriously dent your already ailing student wallet. But fret not, we have some tips on getting some savings.

Don’t Get a Personal Printer

Most small personal printers are deceptively low-priced. This is because printer manufacturers don’t get their money from unit sales, they profit from the exorbitant pricing on ink refills and cartridge/toner replacement. Even worse, some printers are programmed to stall with a “no ink” signal every few months, regardless of actual usage. Find a reliable printing service like BachelorPrint and their low student pricing will save you money and peace of mind. You also benefit from the high-quality printing from their professional-grade machinery and the expertise of their experienced staff. In most cases, even forgetting the cost issue, having your own printer for four years can be a frustrating experience with regular breakdowns.

Print in Black and White
Unless you are explicitly required to, you should avoid coloured printing. It can cost twice or three times as much as black-and-white printing. If your budget isn’t an issue, consider that black-and-white printing is less wasteful as it consumes significantly less ink. You’ll also find that in a lot of contexts, having too much colour can be distracting and it may make your work seem “unserious”.

Print Double-Sided
Again, unless you are instructed otherwise, always choose double-sided printing. It halves your paper needs in one sweep, also, you’ll get a sizable price discount. If you are printing your study notes, you can cut further on paper by having your print shop shrink your content so that two document pages are squeezed into one printed page. Cutting down on your paper usage isn’t just a cost issue, it is an environmentally conscious decision that reduces wastage.

Triple-Check Your Content for Language and Formatting Errors

It is frustrating to have to reprint several pages of your giant dissertation because you realised it was peppered with language errors after printing. True heartbreak is when you realise this after it was bound so you have to reprint your heavy research dissertation and pay for a second binding. Most print shops will offer proofreading as a bonus service but you can’t trust that they’ll be as thorough as you will be. Remember, your grade is on the line.

Choose an Eco-Friendly Printing Partner

You must find a print shop that advertises its commitment to protecting the environment. Commercial printing can have a huge carbon footprint and can release harmful substances. Your printing parent should be aligned to your eco-values. An eco-friendly print shop will use equipment that is top-rated by environmental regulators. They’ll also reduce wastage, use non-toxic ink, and print on recycled paper. Complying with the best eco-standards takes a lot of effort, they will include it in their branding.

Conclusion

A student’s goal is to get the best quality of service without breaking the bank. For starters, you shouldn’t get a personal printer, they hook you with low device costs but get you with predatory pricing and practices for ink refills and printer replacement. Try to always print double-spaced and use the black-and-white option. Proofread your grammar and formatting to avoid costly reprints. And finally, use an eco-friendly printing service that aligns with your values.