Ink usage in c309

Does the C309 have a way to set the ink usage? (ie, a non color use option - so that printer only uses black ink to print? and, if possible, a low black use as the older hp's had?)

It may depend on your operating system, but on Windows 7 there are several options for controlling ink usage. First, if you are printing on plain paper and not using the duplexer you can select "Print in Grayscale" and "Black only".
You can also set the amount of ink used using the Advanced or in the advanced tab of the color settings.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
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HP Photosmart 309g-m ink usage, etc.

I purchased this all-in-one from NewEgg.com in January 2010 for $119 on sale. I was thrilled because I was looking forward to owning an HP printer. I used to have an old dot-matrix and loved it. I was replacing a Lexmark X5150 which had served well for five years, but was giving me problems feeding paper, especially envelopes. Also, I thought the ink for the Lexmark was expensive. I was replacing cartridges on the Lexmark about every 3 mos. at a cost of $78.
Since buying the HP Photosmart 309g-m all-in-one in January 2010, basically less than 3 mos. ago, I have spent $178.50 on ink as of April 22, 2010. Yes ... One hundred, seventy-eight dollars. I have replaced all color cartridges three times since January and they now need replacing a fourth time. I have also replaced the black cartridge three times and the photo black once, although I have printed a maximum of four 4 x 6 photos -- only those printed as a test when I first installed the printer.
I do not print extensively every day. The printer is for home use, almost exclusively printing occasional greeting cards, five 8.5 x 11.0 pages per week of 5.5 x 3.5 postcards using Microsoft Publisher 2002 (4 per 8.5 x 11.0 page, not using all the page space), greeting card envelopes, or other relatively small projects such as two 8.5 x 11.0 pages per week of 3.5 x 2.0 business-size cards with color images (10 cards per page) for a children's Sunday School class.
I have kept a record on my computer. Since last replacing all color cartridges, black cartridge, and photo black cartridge between 3/31/10 and 4/10/10 -- a MAXIMUM of 22 days, I have printed 112 documents, some of which were entirely black text, and some of which were 4.375 x 5.75 envelopes (i.e., small). That averages to approximately 5 documents per day, although, as said, I do not print every day. NO PHOTOS, and several documents in black text only or small envelopes.
The point of this post is not to ask a question -- unless it is how does HP get away with making and selling such an blatantly avaricious product. The point is to warn others and to vent my EXTREME anger and frustration. This all-in-one is a total rip off.
I have read other posts on this forum from those who have similar ink usage issues, and not just with the 309g. If it were possible, I would post every where on the web to warn people about these HP products. I personally think it is abominable that they are allowed to produce this kind of product when they KNOW they will rake in a fortune on printer ink.
Do not be misled by the sales pitch that individual color cartridges are a bonus. All color cartridges run low within days of each other and nothing color can be printed if one of them is too low. In addition, it is not possible to determine which low cartridge is responsible for the inaccurate colors on the printed page. Recently the color on a project printed streaked and it required replacing the black cartridge to cause the color to print correctly. I have had similar experience with needing to replace a magenta cartridge in order to correctly print a project where most color in the image was green, yellow, or blue. And, it is not necessary to inform me that the cartridge colors must mix to produce the exact color. That is not the point. The point is it is misleading to advertise that it is a helpful feature to be able to replace only the colors needed when that fact is useless practically speaking.
There have also been other issues with the 309g-m. The learning curve was extreme, and I am not a novice. The software is limited. It is necessary to create a new paper size under custom sizes for every project that involves something other than the preset sizes HP has decided "most people" want, and that includes something as simple as a half-sheet of 8.5 x 11.0 paper. It is not possible to print two-sided projects correctly if the project is a 4.25 x 5.5 booklet (half an 8.5 x 11.0 page greeting card format to avoid "quarter folding") produced in Microsoft Publisher 2002, because HP's software arbitrarily decides the user needs certain margins to allow for binding. Thus it is not possible to customize the software to individual creativity. As a matter of fact, if one changes paper size to 8.5 x 5.5 and the format to booklet in Publisher, HP's printer software will not even allow two sided printing.
The scanner bed is slightly raised so that scanning a page from a large book, or a portion of a large sheet does not produce a clear image because the original cannot be placed flat on the scanner bed. Scanner resolutions had to be modified to prevent grainy or speckled image results. The scan to computer option on the LED screen does not work unless one has the HP Solution Center enabled on startup (or takes the time to start it before attempting a scan).
I have read HP's article about ink usage and find that they have designed this equipment to USE INK. Between every document printed, if you choose to print only one copy, the printer "adjusts" itself, using ink. Every time it is turned on, it "adjusts" itself, using ink. Every time it has set idle, even though on, for a period of 5 min. or so, it "adjusts" itself, using ink. And it was designed this way ... not, as HP asserts, the provide superior printing, but, rather, to provide superior bottom lines for HP from ink sales.
It is a travesty that HP is allowed to do this.
This may never be posted, but I hope it is, and I hope people read it, and I hope others do not get stuck with $119 all-in-ones that cost $178 in ink within the first three months to print color documents, no matter how small or how infrequently. I can't imagine what I would do if I were trying to use this for a business! As soon as I am able to afford it, I will ditch this piece of equipment and buy something else. And HP can be assured I will not stop talking about it for a LONG time.

I'm seeing a lot of comments posted on the 309g's ink use, but your experience seems most like my own. I ran into another 309g owner at an Office Depot and that individual reported the same sort of results. My question is this: at what elevation is the town in which you live? I (and the person I met) live at about 7500 feet and the 564 cartridges act as though the ink is is actually evaporating.
Thanks

HP B110a High Ink Usage

I have had a HP Photosmart B110a for about 2-3 years now. It seems that the ink usage on it is very high. According to the following site: http://www.hp.com/pageyield/uk/en/PSB8500/index.html, I should expect to get about 800 pages per black XL cartridge, and 750 pages per colour one. Even on supplementary pages, I should expect to get 250/300 pages per cartridge.
The stats of my printer are:
Accumulated Media UsageTotal Page Count: 600
Media Type Pages
Plain Paper: 583
Photo Paper: 22
Other Types: -5
Media Size Pages
A4 (210x297 mm)/Letter (8.5x11): 543
Envelope: 57
Other Sizes: 0
Cartridge UsageCartridge:
Black 6
Cyan 7
Yellow 5
Magenta 6
The average cost of a cartridge in the UK is £15 each, having now installed a total of 24 cartridges, this is a total cost of £360 over a 2/3 year period, an average of £120 a year, or 60p per print out. Exceptionally high costs for running this printer.
Most pages printed are A4 documents, mainly containing text, some are photos, on a higher quality print. Does this seem exceptionally high? Please do let me know how I can reduce this!

Hi Luke, a couple of things you can do is use Fastdraft print modes and XL size cartridges. As some background, there's more info on ink usage in inkjet printers in the link below......
http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/articles/us/en/InkUseage.html
Ciara
Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.
Twitter: @Ciara_B_HP

What can be done with the excessive ink usage on the HP6700 printer?

I just replaced all the cartridges in a HP6700 printer so I could print a black only page (that issue has it's own thread of disappointed customers). Now after very little use, perhaps 20-30 pages at most and again mostly just black type, the message that cyan ink is low comes up. Yes, I set it to print black only and grayscale most every page but I think that is false. I use the Draft setting on most things in another hopless effort to save ink. I think I did better from the starter pack that came with the printer which also ran out about the same time but I did at least print have the pages with color then. Does anyone know of a way to get this thing to stop using up ink so fast other than leaving in unplugged in the corner or placing it in the garbage can.??

Hi oceanbob,
I appreciate your frustration, I really do. However, this particular printer uses some color inks even when printing in black only. The reason for this is for servicing tasks and to make sure your printhead does not dry out and cause problems in the future. If you did run out of color and kept printing black only, you will cause problems with the printhead.
For more information here is your User Guide to your printer, see page 74.
To get a better understand of the ink usage, take a look here: Ink Usage in Inkjet Printers
Thank you for your time!
HevnLgh
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Constant reminder to use HP connect to determine ink usage

install printer about three weeks ago everything went well. Still using ink that came with printer and received first order of ink in the mail. For past two weeks every time I want to print I get a message to connect to hPconnenct to dertermine ink usage. I have tried perhaps 25 times and always told to try later. Have tried to connect to tech support and the submit button will not work to submit on two different computers. Any suggestions to correct the dp connect ink isse? Thanks
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Hello gdr123,
Welcome to the HP Support Forums!
Would it be possible for you to let me know what model of printer you are using with Instant Ink? It sounds like there is a connection issue with the printer and the Internet, we should be able to work through that.
If you would prefer to speak with some one in "real" time, you can reach our Cloud team at 855-785-2777. If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region, click HERE to find the Technical Support number for your country/region.
Regards,
JERENDS
I work on behalf of HP
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Photosmart C309 A ink usage

Having used HP printers since 1988, familiar with the weaknesses. This all in one was a good deal given we needed a another fax and scanner for the business. The issue continues with HP the amount of ink that is used. We use draft setting for all and have printed in color two pages. For the remaining 16 pages so far, the amount of black non photo quality according to meter is at 3/4. The printer is cycling prior and after printing and perhaps cleaning head. Any suggestions as to using less on this item would be appreciated. The best usage of ink has been a 895CE that I used non HP ink, around 800 pagers before refilling. Thanks

Hi kvetch
Here is a url for page yield for your Photosmart 7525.
http://h10060.www1.hp.com/pageyield/en-019/yields/PSD7500_page.html?cCode=us
The readying process the printer does is a self check to check print head life.
(doesn't use ink)
Make sure printer is connected directly into wall outlet. (will continue intiallizing if connected in a surge
protector)
Make sure it is HP geniune ink.
If 2 or more cartridges are low it will keep intiallizing.
Printer has a built in surge protector so you can leave the printer turned on all the time. (if printer is turned off and printhead doesn't move properly to the home position it can cause air to get into the printhead.)
If you need more assistance just let me know.
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Gemini02
I work on behalf of HP

PDF Specific printing issues relating to ink usage and duplexing

I have a preset printing setting so that I don't waste my color ink cartridges on my HP officejet 6500 when I'm only printing in black and white.
When I print from adobe reader or preview (which I print from PDFs 95% of the time) the printer ignores these settings and continues to use color ink to make "optimum quality."
The settings work fine in word or text documents and the drivers and software versions are all updated. HP tells me it's a program specific problem (i.e., not their problem) but I'm running through ink like crazy!
I also can't automatically duplex print w/ PDFs (that also works in word docs)
I tried converting the PDFs to text but the programs I tried don't save the formatting and these are professional fliers from my company which I can't seem to recreate without wasting massive amounts of time.
Adobe's website was useless and they want to charge $39 for a service call...what do I try next?

Hi Cara Mia, and a warm welcome to the forums!
or preview (which I print from PDFs 95% of the time) the printer ignores these settings and continues to use color ink to make "optimum quality."
Do you mean Preview from Reader's Print Dialog, or the Preview APP?
Just drag the finished PDF to Preview App's icon, that should allow you to use/choose your Presets.

Photosmart 8250 constant maintenance cycles while printing & excessive ink usage

I'm having a problem with my trusty 4-year-old HP Photosmart 8250: Whenever I print a document, whether in color or black ink only mode, it constantly enters maintenance cycles and excessively uses ink.
Two examples: When I printed a color document (color, HP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 17 pages), the printer behaved erratically, with constant maintenance cycles. It also said I had to change yellow ink, but when I re-turned on the printer to install a fresh yellow ink cartridge (I only use original HP ink), it still showed remaining yellow ink. Then yesterday, when I printed a 32 page graphics document (black ink only, plain paper, normal), the ink meter for black dropped from full to 25% full (I had changed the black cartridge only one week earlier), and the printer went through four maintenance cycles. Neither had happened before in my four years of owning this printer, and the black ink consumption for similar documents in the past was barely a quarter of what it was for this document.
Are these issues most likely related to the printhead? I know that the Photosmart 8250, like all printers with HP 02 cartridges, uses a fixed non-replaceable printhead, so does the printhead need cleaning or alignment? Or should I just get a new HP printer, as I have used this printer extremely frequently over the past 4 years?
Thanks for all your help!

Hi johnpd,
There have been some significant upgrades to photo printing and the inks since the MP610 was introduced. With the MG7120, and the XL ink tanks (which are comparably priced to the standard ink tanks used in the MP610), you should receive similar or greater page yields. One major reason for this boost is the addition of the gray CLI-251 ink. When gray appears in your printout, instead of using a mixture of all the other colors, the gray ink is used, reducing your overall ink consumption.
At the risk of sounding like a typical salesman, "I want to get you in the model that is right for you"! If you are looking for a photo printer, the MG7120 is one of my top suggestions for a quality Photo All-in-One. If however, you do not plan to make heavy use of the printer and only occasionally print photos, you might get more value from an Office All-in-One.
Please feel free to Contact Us if you have any additional questions.
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Ink usage on HP D7560 Photosmart printer

Hello everyone,
I am appalled at how fast this printer uses ink. I purchased the high capacity tanks, which cost about $20. each, and I am replacing an ink tank about once every ten prints. This means I am using $2. per print on ink. And these are 8.5x11 prints on HP Advanced Paper. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to conserve on ink? I choose Max DPI when printing. Is that causing the printer to use more ink? Thanks.

we bought this printer and it is just garbage. same issue with the ink! I seriously print out many 5-10 pages a month and it needs all new ink! It's like it evaporated or something! Really expensive. My hp all in one in my office lasts forever with ink! Something needs to be fixed with this or I want a replacement. it takes forever to start up and get printing too!!!

Excess ink usage on Photosmart 7520

Let me add my voice to those who find their ink supply shrinking too fast, and I'll add a complaint about inaccurate reservoir level displays.
I have been replacing the color ink cartridges about every 30 days. These are the standard size, not the XL. The last set was installed on April 13 (yes, I keep track now), and I swear I haven't printed more than two dozen 4x6 glossy photos (probably less than 20) plus maybe 30-40 pages of b/w text. I bought my printer on March 6, used the startup cartridges for maybe a week, and installed the fresh cartridges.
There is also a problem with the ink level display, which shows a minimum of about 25% supply remaining, but the print quality print shows garbage on all colors. BW is OK.
I like the printer, but I don't know if I can afford the ink!
Does anybody have any comments regarding this particular printer?

When you are replacing the suppies are you waiting till the printer cannot print any more?
I work for HP.

Ink usage on brochure paper

I am making monthly calendars on my HP4240 400 Series Photosmart Printer/Scanner. I want to use HP brochure paper, matte or glossy, according to your answer, to print them. I am using 99 Photo Ink, which does an incredible job, I might add, on my HP photo paper. My question is, is there a notable difference in the amount of ink used on the brochure paper as compared to hp regular photo paper. I don't know what the saturation is on brochure paper and don't want to run out of ink mid-project. AND, is there a notable difference in the amount of ink used up to print on the matte brochure paper compared to the glossy brochure paper. I want to be prepared ink wise to complete my project! Thank you so much!
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The matte paper will generally use a bit less link than glossy. Plain paper setting will generally use much less than glossy media.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
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Power-up ink usage officjet 4630

My habit has been to power off my equipment when it is not in use. I understand that for some inkjet printers this wastes ink. Is this so for the 4630? Also, there was a reference on another posting that powering off by interupting the power rather than using the front panel switch can be detrimental to the printer. Is this true for the 4630?
Thank you.
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Yes in both cases. The printer should be plugged into a live outlet at all times and only the printer's power switch should be used to power off the printer.
If an external switch is used the printhead may not be properly capped, allowing the printhead to clog. Using an external switch will also cause the printer to lose track of the time since the last print job. This will cause it to do a more aggressive startup procedure when the printer is next powered up.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V
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Photosmart 7520 ink usage

I have a photosmart 7520 all in one printer. Question: When regular black ink cartridge is depleted, does the printer automatically use the photo black cartridge to provide ink in order to continue printing? If so, does it continue to do so until the photo black cartridge is depleted?

figubedu
Short answer: No, the cartridges are not interchangeable in this sense. The photo black and regular black are for different "black" uses. Need both.
You might be able to get away with switching the Printing Preferences > Advanced > Print in Grayscale (On)
You might be able to get some sort of output from the printer that way if you really do not want to replace the black cartridge for some reason. The only issue is the one mentioned: different backgrounds, image printing, documents, the like -- need different blacks. ??
Maybe one of our Printer Experts can tell us more.
You can order replacement ink to ship to your location from HP SureSupply
Free shipping and shipping is ultra-fast, too, at least in the USA.
I use the 564XL cartridges of all the colors in my 7520.
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Dragon-Fur

Startup ink usage

When my HP 8500 officejet A909a printer is turned on it spends a lot of time chugging away before it is ready to use. During this time it claims to be cleaning the ink heads.
How much ink does it use cleaning its ink heads?
Is it better to leave the machine turned on in order to minimise this cleaning process?
Thanks,
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Hello Simplefella,
Yes you should leave the unit on, as this will prevent so much cleaning. Ifyou turn it off completly the unit will clean its inktheads as a precoution. Because this unit has a fax it is designed to be turned on at all times. To prevent a lot of power use there is a sleep mode built in to the printer.
ONly small amount of ink are used for cleaning but if you shut it down all the time a lot more cleaning will be done then is neccesary.
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Ink usage

Can someone explain why I am replacing the dark cyan and dark magenta cartridges in my C 7280 Photosmart All in One printer 5 or 6 x more often than any other colors. Now I started buying the single colors but that is expensive compared to a multipack (but then now I have six new cartridges of the light cyan and light magenta which never seem to run out, from my previous multi pack purchases) How many pages am I supposed to be getting from these cartridges? I have even resorted to buying the "X" version which is supposed to have more ink. !!!!!
I am so frustrated now I am considering replacing the printer.
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The light cyan and light magenta are primarily used when printing on photo paper. For plain paper the light cyan and light magenta are used only for servicing to keep the nozzles clear. See here for information on page yield for the C7280.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V
If my answer was helpful please click the "Thumbs Up" to say "Thank You"--V

Ink usage in c309

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