Inksaving

Inksaving refers to strategies and technologies aimed at reducing ink consumption in printing and publishing. It encompasses typography, page layout, color management, and printer settings, seeking to lower costs and environmental impact while preserving legibility and essential information.

Techniques include using ink-efficient fonts, such as fonts designed to use less ink or with built-in gaps to reduce coverage (eco fonts), selecting typefaces with lower ink coverage and ample spacing, and opting for grayscale or two-color schemes instead of full color. Print settings can be configured to draft or economy mode, black-and-white printing, and reduced resolution when appropriate. Layout decisions include increasing margins for whitespace, adjusting line length and column widths to minimize pages, and removing unnecessary graphics or decorative elements. Content management practices may involve reusing standard templates and preparing documents for mono printing when color is not required.

Printer management also covers duplex printing to save paper, and using printer presets that reduce ink density. Graphics and images can be optimized by using vector graphics with minimal fills and by compressing color palettes. Digital workflows may incorporate preflight checks to flag pages with high ink coverage.

Impact and limitations: Inksaving can lower printing costs and environmental footprint, but may affect readability, accessibility, or brand identity if over-applied. It is used in corporate and educational settings, as well as by individuals seeking savings. Related concepts include eco-friendly printing, print optimization, and sustainable publishing.