3 min read
Ink is the single largest running cost for most wide format print operations. In the UAE, where print volumes can be high and hot weather affects ink consumption and media handling, managing ink use efficiently is a business priority. Here are practical steps to reduce your ink consumption without compromising output quality.
1. Use the Correct ICC Profiles
An uncalibrated or incorrect ICC profile forces the printer to use more ink than necessary to achieve target colours. Custom ICC profiles matched to your specific ink and media combination can reduce ink consumption by 10–20% while improving colour accuracy.
If you are using a RIP such as Mimaki RasterLink or Epson Edge Print, take time to build or import accurate profiles for each media type you regularly run. Many media manufacturers provide free downloadable profiles from their websites.
2. Reduce Total Ink Density (TIL/TAC)
Your RIP software allows you to set a Total Ink Limit (TIL) or Total Area Coverage (TAC) — the maximum percentage of ink applied to any given area. Reducing this from 400% (100% per channel) to 280–320% for most substrates eliminates ink pooling, speeds drying, and saves significant ink on dark or saturated areas.
3. Use Draft Mode for Internal Proofs and Banners
Not every job needs production-quality output. For internal proofs, test prints, and some standard banner jobs, a lower resolution with a higher bidirectional print mode can halve your ink use while still producing commercially acceptable output.
4. Nest Jobs Efficiently
Media waste means wasted ink applied to unusable areas. Use your RIP’s nesting feature to pack jobs tightly on the media, eliminating gaps. A well-nested print job can improve media utilisation from 70% to 90%+, proportionally reducing both media and ink cost per order.
5. Keep Printheads in Good Health
A partially blocked printhead triggers automatic cleaning cycles, each of which purges ink into the waste tank. Keeping heads clean and running daily maintenance checks prevents wasteful purge cycles. In the UAE, printers left idle over weekends or during holidays should run a maintenance purge on restart.
6. Use Compatible Inks Wisely
Compatible inks can significantly reduce cost-per-ml compared to OEM inks. However, not all compatible inks are equal — poor-quality inks can block heads (increasing cleaning cycles and head replacement frequency) and produce off-colour output that results in reprints. Source compatible inks from reputable suppliers who provide specifications and colour profiles.
CMYK stocks both OEM and quality compatible inks for Epson, Mimaki, and Mutoh wide format printers. Browse our ink range or contact us to discuss the best option for your machine.