Green Tips—Printing

• NREL's Information Services has purchased and installed duplexing modules for NREL HP-networked printers, Models 4 and above. These printers are set to print two-sided by default. See Duplex Printing for printing instructions (two-sided and single-sided).
  
  
• When formatting documents, limit the number of pages by expanding margins or by using the Microsoft Word "Shrink to Fit" function. Select "File," "Print Preview," and the "Shrink to Fit" icon in the toolbar. In Microsoft Excel, select "File," "Page Setup" and the "Fit To" or "Adjust To" options.
  
  
• When printing PowerPoint slides, put several slides to a page. Select "File," "Print," "Print What," "Handouts" (two, three, or six slides per page)
  
  
• When printing pages from the Web, you can "shrink" files/Web site pages so that more than one screen/page shows up on each printed page. Go to "File" and then "Print." Under "Properties," go to the "Layout" (or "Finishing") tab. At the bottom left, you will see a window for "Pages Per Sheet"—fill in the number you want. This tip is especially useful for printing presentations that are posted on the Web as PDF files with only one slide/page.
  
  
• Read short documents on the computer, rather than printing. Use the "Zoom" feature to enlarge the text size.
  
  
• Use recycled printer cartridges—quality has improved significantly. If you do receive a defective toner cartridge, tape a defective sign to the unit and place it in your building's recycling area. NREL gets credit for all defective cartridges.
  
  
• When your printer display shows "Low Toner," remove the printer cartridge and slowly shake it side to side. Low-toner displays often are caused by static cling. Recycle empty cartridges.
  
  
• Save paper and toner by selecting the "Save Toner" mode on your computer. For Windows 2000, users should go to the "Print" box, select "Properties," and then "Layout." Choose the "Print on Both Sides (Duplex)" option and select "Advanced." Under "Document Options, Printer Features," for "Economode," choose "Save Toner" instead of "Highest Quality." To make it your default, go to "Start," "Settings," "Printers," and right click on the printer you use most—then choose "Properties." In the "General" tab, choose the button "Printing Preferences." You can set defaults for the printer you use most often, just follow the same directions applied for single use above.
  
  
• Set the copier to print two-sided copies.