How to change printer setting?

If have a HP photo smart printer..what are ways to make the ink last longest? (is there a setting to change?)?

• is this setting controlled by the computer or the printer?( meaning do you press a button on the printer to change this or from the computer?) and can you really save colour ink by switching to a ligther setting? how well will look? (or should only use for black and white) how much ink you will save? and WHY MORE PEOPLE DONT DO THIS? OR DO THEY? any help appreciated.

• Answer:

  Hi There, Below is a link for Preton (an inksaver software app). I have read about it and have seen some recommendations but have not tried it yet. Preton is supposed to be able to save from 20% to 70% of the ink you use by controlling the printer while printing. It does this by controlling the "overlap" of the print 'dots'. The theory sounds good and the license is free. If you do not want to try this application you can change your printer settings to print in "draft" quality and also if printing black and white you can set your printer to print in "greyscale". Greyscale does not use any of the color ink whereas the normal "black" printing lays down some blue before printing black. This is supposed to make a nicer looking black print. Another way to save is to always use the "print preview" before printing. this save both ink and paper. If you really do not need a paper copy you can use the "print to file" option and just save the document to the "documents" folder of your computer. Last thing is to wait until a cartridge is tryly empty before changing. All the printers I have had tell you the ink is running out long before it is time to change. Hope this helps, Ink is expensive, Al