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A UK company, PrintDreams, is currently preparing the release of a new product called the PrintBrush. The handheld printer is said to be the smallest printing device in the world and prints full size formats (A4 or letter size). It’s about the size of a modern mobile phone and weighs in at roughly 12 ounces. The device uses Bluetooth technology to print documents from a variety of mobile devices. Then, you simply move your hand above the media and the PrintBrush gets to work, accounting for inconsistencies in your hand movement in the process.

According to their website, the PrintBrush will rival normal printers and other mobile printers for a variety of reasons. For example, the device will be able to print onto anything it can reach, meaning items like notebooks and other printable media which couldn’t typically be fed through a normal printer. Additionally, PrintDreams claims their product runs silently, allowing for discrete use, and uses no messy cables. No word on printer ink yet, though.

The printer will be an ideal product for people on the go. Students could potentially use the PrintBrush to print documents and notes in between classes (or even in class).  And the printer has lots of business applications. Imagine editing and printing a contract out for a client in the middle of a restaurant, or printing out notes for an important meeting in a cab on the way to work.

Some preliminary product specifications, according to the manufacturer:

• Resolution: 600dpi monochrome

• Print technology: inkjet and RMPT™ Full

• Max. speed: 250mm/sec

• Volume: Approx. 200cc

• Weight: Approx. 250gm

• Interfaces: USB 2.0, Bluetooth, IRda

• Power supply: rechargable Li-Ion battery

PrintDreams says the PrintBrush will launch at the end of this year, or possible early next year. The preliminary retail price will be roughly $199 USD. Take look here.

Technorati Tags: mobil printing, printer ink, printers

· I am trying to print in color but it only prints in one color. What can I do to fix this?

Usually when a printer sits without unused for a long time, it can cause the cartridge nozzle to dry up. Which can cause the cartridge not to print or colors to be skewed. The optimal way to solve this problem is by Soaking the cartridge. *ONLY for remanufactured ink cartridges

· How much printer ink is in a remanufactured cartridge compared to a name cartridge?

A lot of companies’ compatible and remanufactured cartridges are weighed out to match the weight of a genuine cartridge. Make sure your vendors weigh the cartridges to ensure that the remanufactured and compatible cartridges weigh the same as a genuine cartridge.

· If I buy remanufactured ink cartridges, how long can I keep them without opening them?

The majority of products have a shelf life of about one year. When you are ready to use the cartridge, if you notice that the prints are faded or streaked it might not necessarily mean the cartridge cannot be used. The problem could be a clogged nozzle. The best solution to this problem is soaking the cartridge.

· What is a printer driver and why do I need one?

A printer driver is software that translates data and instructions from your computer to your printer. The driver describes the text, image, etc. to be printed and translates it into the printer language of the printer. You need a printer driver to print.

You can use the driver to change the printer settings such as printing in color and the paper size.

You should update your printer driver on a regular basis because having the latest printer drivers installed will greatly improve your printer’s performance.

· How can I setup my printer on a network?

When adding a printer the Add Printer Wizard will ask you to select a printer, select Connect to This Printer and enter the name of the network printer. If you don’t know the name, select Browse for a Printer to search through a list of shared printers.

If the network printer uses an Internet address, select Connect to a printer on the Internet and enter the address in the URL box. The Add Printer Wizard will help you through the installation process.

· How do I update my printer driver?

The majority of printer manufacturers offer current drivers on their websites for free.

Updating Instructions:

1. Click on Start and scroll to Settings or Control Panel (depending on your version of Windows)
2. Select Printers folder
3. Right-click the printer whose driver you wish to update.
4. Scroll down to Properties and then the Details or Advanced tab. Click on New Driver.
5. If a warning box pops up, answer Yes.
6. Click Have Disk, and click Browse to get to the folder containing your updated drivers.
7. Follow the on-screen installation directions. (It’s best to reboot your computer when your installation is finished).

Technorati Tags: ink cartridges, printer ink

There are two basic options the potential buyer faces when shopping for a new printer; inkjet or laser. This can be a difficult decision as both have their benefits and drawbacks. But by assessing your printing needs, you can easily make the right decision.

Arguably, the most important factor potential printer buyers can examine is price. You can find a decent inkjet printer nowadays for next to nothing. These printers can easily print text or photos, and are generally capable of handling all of your printing needs. But inkjet printers do have a hidden cost – printer ink. Most manufacturers rely on supplies to make profits, meaning your affordable printer purchase could turn into a ,000 a year investment. The best way to avoid costs like this is to research the inkjet printers you find. Look at ink cartridge costs and page yields for these printers, and check to see if there are additional costs like print heads. Calculating the average cost per page (cartridge cost/page yield) is always a wise move.

Laser printers are usually not as easy on the wallet. Monochromatic (black and white only) laser printers generally start in the 0 area, and color laser printer get mighty pricey. The cost of toner cartridges is typically greater than that of inkjet cartridges as well. But toners typically have large page yields, sometimes in the thousands of pages. If you find that most of your printing is plain text documents, you might be able to save a lot of money going with laser. The same rules apply when shopping: check out cartridge costs and page yields.

Your printing needs can be the ultimate decider when shopping for a new printer. If you’re looking to print color documents and photos, inkjet is definitely the way to go. But if your needs are mostly monochromatic, an affordable laser printer can save you a good chunk of change. Another option to explore is buying both; a dedicated monochromatic printer for daily needs, and an inkjet printer for those special documents.

Technorati Tags: ink cartridges, inkjet printer, laser printer, printer ink, toner

Most printer manufacturers offer lots of new printer models every year. With such a variety of options, it can be difficult for consumers to decide which model is best for them. One factor to consider is the type of ink cartridges your printer uses. Many printers use a single tri-color cartridge for color printing, but some use single color cartridges which can be purchased individually. Which is better? There is no right answer, but knowing what your printing needs are can help you make the right decision.

For most people, this decision comes down to price. Single color cartridges can be more expensive. Rather than paying $25 for a brand new cartridge, you may find yourself paying $30 – $40 for three. However, because single color cartridges contain only one color, they often carry more ink than multicolor cartridges, where the ink volume is separated by three colors (ink volumes and page yields are additional factors to look at before buying a printer). Additionally, if you run out only color, you need only replace that one cartridge. This can be handy, especially if you know that you will be printing one color more than others. Many retailers also offer combo packs at a reduced price, which is essentially like buying a multicolor cartridge.

Multicolor systems do have their advantages. Many people like the convenience of only having to purchase and install one printer cartridge. Additionally, single color cartridges may pose a hidden cost; print heads. Many single color printer cartridges don’t have built in print heads, meaning you may have to replace them with time. Most tri-color cartridges include print heads, so buying new cartridges is all that’s necessary.

Ultimately, the quality of a printer is a matter of personal preference. Check out the specifications on the box, or do some research online and you’re sure to make a purchase you won’t regret.

Technorati Tags: ink cartridge, inkjet cartridge, printer ink

Many inkjet cartridges are easy to refill.  The following guide can help ensure that you get the most out your cartridges:

1. Handle your cartridges with care. Avoid touching the print nozzle with your hands.
2. An ink cartridge will usually dry out within two days. Letting unwrapped cartridges sit outside of the printer can cause the print nozzle to become clogged with dry ink. If you are not going to use a cartridge for a long time, wrap it with plastic wrap and put it in a zip-lock bag. Do not use adhesive tape to wrap the cartridge.
3. You can soak the nozzle area in warm water for a few minutes to dissolve the dried ink. To do this, place the cartridge in a white Styrofoam cup (Styrofoam is soft and will not damage the cartridge nozzle) and fill with water until the cartridge is halfway submerged. Blot the cartridge dry and try printing again.
4. Refill your cartridge as soon as you see signs of ink depletion (such as light prints or white streaking). You never want to let a cartridge completely run out because it may damage the print head. If you are going to be printing a large number of pages, run a test print first and check your ink levels to ensure that you do not run out in the middle of your print job.
5. Never place a leaking cartridge back into the printer. Minor leaking after a refill is normal and will stop when the air pressure inside the cartridge is balanced. If the cartridge is leaking heavily, place it on a folded piece of paper or in a disposable cup and let the excess printer ink run out. When the leaking stops, wipe the cartridge clean and put it back into the printer.
6. If you do not use your printer often, clean the print head before printing.

Technorati Tags: inkjet cartridges, printer cartridges, printer ink, refill kits

1. Ecofont

This year, a Dutch company developed Ecofont, which is designed to save printer ink and toner. It looks like typical Arial font, but it has tiny holes in it which can reduce you ink and toner usage by 20%. The font looks a little strange (kind of grayish) on the screen, but with a small enough size it looks just fine. It’s perfect for printing in-house home or office documents.

2. Draft mode

Most modern printers have a variety of print settings that vary from high quality, slower prints, to quick low quality drafts. Draft mode can save you small amounts of ink every time you print. It’s also a great way to see beforehand how a document is going to look on paper, or provide a physical copy for quick hand revisions.

3. Revision/print preview

One of the easiest ways to save on ink and toner costs is to carefully re-read and revise documents before printing. How many times have you printed a document, only to find that a small typo requires you to print it again? Print Preview will lets you look at your document before it prints, so you can change any page attributes you don’t like before printing.

4. Turn it Off

When you’re not using your printer, turn it off. This one is better for the planet than anything, but it can also help keep your ink cartridges from drying out.

5. Refill

This isn’t so much an ink saving tip, as it is an in replenishing tip. Do some research on the cartridges your printer uses. If you can find a decent refill kit, give it a try. InkTec makes high quality refill kits that are easy to use. Many HP cartridges can be refilled up to 7 or 8 times. This will save you lots of money, and might even save a few cartridges from a landfill.

Technorati Tags: green printing, ink cartridges, printer ink, toner