Category: Printers

The Print Friendly Browser Extension

June 8, 2023 / Jesse Mueller / 0 Comments

I love the Print Friendly browser extension. This freebie allows me to manipulate websites before I print them, helping me save on ink and paper. Check this out:

The Print Friendly browser extension is available to download and use in almost any browser. Once installed, all you have to do is click its icon to activate it for the website you are about to print. Print Friendly will open a new copy of the website for you to manipulate:

An example that I might print from TheMountainCourier.com

At the top of this overlay, you can adjust the size of the text and graphics, to prepare your print job to fit fewer pages. But even better, you can scroll down through the page and click on any element to delete it. Nix those ads, remove any unwanted graphics, you should have complete control over what is going to print. Use the Print button to the upper-left and appreciate the barebones page you just created!

If you don’t want to install the extension, that’s OK, you can still use this tool. Simply copy the URL of what you wish to print, and paste it in at the Print Friendly website. The Preview button will give you the same thing as the extension would.

Recycling Ink & Toner Cartridges

May 7, 2023 / Jesse Mueller / 1 Comment

If you own a printer, then you are certain to generate empty cartridges. Recycle them! You may also someday find yourself with some full unused cartridges, when you move to a new printer. Don’t just huck them in a dumpster. Recycling ink & toner cartridges will be easy and free through these avenues:

Recycling Offered by Printer Manufacturers

Most printer manufacturers offer free & easy recycling options. You can usually locate information about those by Googling for the manufacturer name + “cartridge recycle”. But maybe these links will save you some searching:

HP’s Planet Partners (including Samsung cartridges)
Epson’s Recycling Program
Canon’s Ink Cartridge Recycling Program
Lexmark Cartridge Collection Program
Brother Toner Ink Recycling

Recycling Search Websites

Earth911 offers a nationwide search tool to give you ideas of who recycles ink and toner cartridges near you.

Much of the time, this search tool is going to direct you to your closest Staples, OfficeMax, Target or Goodwill store. Those storefronts commonly have dropboxes where you can freely deposit your empties.

If you patronize one of the big office supplies stores, ask if they offer any recycling incentives or credits. You might earn some $$$ off your next purchase there!

Mail-In Services

There are so many companies who would love to take those cartridges off of your hands. Some may have a noble goal of raising money for a charitable cause. Others may pay you for your cartridges (although it may only become worthwhile for you to do so if you have a large quantity to recycle). Consider these outfits:

If you know of a great mail-in service for recycling printer cartridges, please let everyone know in the comments. Thank you!

Download Your Printer Software

June 8, 2020 / Jesse Mueller / 0 Comments

Installing a printer? You typically won’t use a CD these days, everything comes from the internet. So if it’s an older device, don’t fret if the disc has gone missing. You just need to download your printer software. And this is always done for free!

For HP devices, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers
For Epson printers, try https://epson.com/Support/sl/s
For Brother devices, visit https://www.brother-usa.com/brother-support/driver-downloads
Canon printers, check out https://www.usa.canon.com/…/…/home/support/drivers-downloads
And if you have a Samsung printer, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

That’s not a typo, that’s the answer to a trick question. Samsung sold their printer division to HP some years ago. You’ll drive yourself nutty if you try to find a Samsung printer driver at the Samsung website. Look up the Samsung model number over at HP’s site and you’ll be able to download your printer software easily enough.