Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Printing in the UK (2026 Guide)

Printing costs in the UK have risen steadily over the past few years, with expensive ink cartridges, rising paper prices, and subscription-based printing services catching many households and businesses off guard.

The good news is that there are still plenty of ways to print economically — whether you work from home, run a small business, or simply need affordable printing for everyday use.

Here are the top 10 ways to reduce your printing costs in 2026.

  1. Switch to a Monochrome Laser Printer

If you mainly print documents, invoices, or paperwork, a monochrome laser printer is often the cheapest long-term solution.

Unlike inkjet printers, laser printers use toner instead of liquid ink, meaning:

  • Lower cost per page
  • No dried-out cartridges
  • Less maintenance
  • Longer-lasting supplies

For UK home offices and students, this is usually the best value option.

  1. Avoid Cheap Cartridge Inkjet Printers

One of the biggest mistakes consumers make is buying the cheapest printer available.

Budget inkjet printers often:

  • Use small cartridges
  • Require frequent replacements
  • Have extremely high running costs

A £40 printer can easily cost hundreds of pounds per year in replacement ink.

Instead, focus on total ownership cost rather than the upfront purchase price.

 

  1. Print Double-Sided Whenever Possible

Duplex printing is one of the easiest ways to cut paper costs immediately.

Benefits include:

  • Using up to 50% less paper
  • Lower storage requirements
  • Reduced environmental impact

Most modern printers include automatic duplex printing settings.

  1. Use Draft Mode for Everyday Documents

Not every document needs presentation-quality printing.

Draft mode:

  • Uses less ink or toner
  • Prints faster
  • Extends cartridge life

For internal paperwork, revision notes, or basic forms, draft mode can significantly reduce running costs.

 

  1. Avoid Wasting Ink with Infrequent Printing

Inkjet printers often waste ink during cleaning cycles, especially if left unused for long periods.

If you only print occasionally:

  • Consider a laser printer instead

This avoids paying for ink that gets wasted before you even use it.

 

 

  1. Review Your Printing Habits

Sometimes the biggest savings come from simply printing less.

Ask yourself:

  • Can this document stay digital?
  • Do I need colour?
  • Do I need every page?
  • Could I combine multiple documents?

Small changes in printing behaviour can lead to major savings over the course of a year.

Final Thoughts

The most economical way to print in the UK depends largely on your usage habits.

For most users:

  • Monochrome laser printers offer the best value for document printing

The key is understanding the true cost of printing — not just the cost of buying the printer itself.

Choosing the right setup can save UK businesses hundreds of pounds every year.