Ink Cartridges $$$

For those who use the Brother 2280DW, I forgot to mention that I set it to 300 dpi since I print mostly text.  I check my printer preferences in the print window to be sure it is set right, especially for larger print jobs.  There is an excellent review at Amazon with tips on getting the most out of your ink.  It is from DR-J-J (Peoria, IL) as THE most helpful review for this printer.  He calculated a cost of 1/2 cent per page.  I suggest you read his full review, as you may find more helpful tips there.

“USE CONTINUE MODE.

Continue Mode will tell your printer “Hey, I know i MAY get some poor copies/prints, but I need you to continue and try to print any way.” I turned this on, and VOILA, it worked like magic. 🙂 Beautiful copies came streaming out of my printer. Over 200 and still going strong.

HOW TO DO IT?

To enable Continue Mode, please follow the steps from Brother’s website:

Press MENU and choose General Setup => Replace Toner.

Use the DOWN ARROW key to choose Continue and then press OK.”

I had to use this tip when my starter toner was telling me to replace ink and would not print, though I was sure there was more ink.  I followed these tips and got another 2 months out of it.  Like the reviewer, I have only used genuine Brother toner.  In my last printer, I tried an offbrand.  It could just be that the machine was older, but I started having lines in my prints after using a different brand and I am not sure if I really needed a new drum or what.  So I use only genuine Brother and buy at that $35 price, which happens occationally at Amazon.

July 1, I printed some math worksheets, Grammarland google book (some graphics), and 3 sets of Grammarland worksheets (some graphics) and I am now getting a “toner low” message.  So I may end up with only 9 or 10 months out of this one.  I know I can get 2 more months at least.