Setting up a new
printer shouldn't be a challenging task. Even though some setup procedure may
vary between manufacturers, it should nevertheless be of the same logic and is
generally straightforward. Printer setup and installation is considerably foolproof
nowadays because almost every new printer comes with a cheat sheet, setup
guide, and setup wizard to make your printer nearly a plug-and-play device.
Before you roll up your sleeves and get started, here are some points you may
want to take note of before and after setting up your new printer, as well as
some tips on what to do to make sure your printer will go a long, long way.
PREREQUISITES
1.
Buy extra ink cartridges
Most brand new printers come with a starter low-capacity ink
cartridge set, which could quickly run out sooner or later. It is ideal to
stock at least one set of spare cartridges, especially on cases where you need
to print an urgent time-restrained document. Also, buy those that are of
higher-capacity because they tend to last longer and are tested to be more cost
effective in the long run.
2.
Buy printer-friendly paper
Retailers sell cheaper, branded paper that you can safely use
with your printer brand. You may want to consult your printer documentation to
determine what type of paper will work best. You can get a multi-purpose type
of paper for everyday use, unless of course you need to print a more special
document such as invitations or posters.
3.
Buy cables if your network setup requires additional
Normally, printer manufacturers include the appropriate cable
that will be used in order for the printer to operate with a computer. There
are three common types of cable that are commonly used with printers: USB,
Ethernet, and Fax. Most printers come with a USB cable (with a type B connector
for plugging into the printer), while most multi-function printers with fax
capabilities are supplied with a phone cable. If in case you purchased a
network printer and are planning to set it up for wired connection, you need to
purchase an Ethernet cable separately. Check first what cables are included in
the printer box, plan how you will configure it, and then buy the needed cables
before you start the setup.
SETUP
4.
Take note of the printer's 3 "Numbers"
Whether you prefer to do it on your smartphone/gadget or on a
piece of paper, it is a must to take note of the printer's serial number, model
number, and the company's tech support number for reference. Not only will it
make your support calls faster and easier, it will also avoid having to go through
the printer's box or other documentation just to find out its serial or model
number. You can usually find these information on the sticker label found at
the back, if not at the bottom of the printer.
5.
Refer to the printer's Quick Startup Guide
If in any case you find yourself lost during the setup, never
underestimate the power of documentation. Quick Startup Guides have now become
more user-friendly as it even include illustrations on how each step is
performed. Common procedures include unboxing the printer, installing the ink
or toner cartridges, aligning the print head, installing the bundled software,
setting up the Wi-Fi connection, and some other printer functions. In worst
cases where everything still doesn't work, you can always call tech support to
help you along the way.
6.
Consider a custom software installation
Every software offers you an option whether you would like a
standard or a custom-type of installation. Standard will install everything,
which means it will also likely to install bloatware and unwanted applications
that may take up a huge amount of your disk space and slow down your computer.
So to avoid these garbage, you may want to try going with the custom
installation so that you can get to choose the correct components and applications
to be installed.
7.
Analyze the bundled software before installing
Printers nowadays come with tons of add-on features like photo
editing, photo album, OCR, document management, and many other programs. While
some of these may be useful to our daily work, there are still chances that we
are installing unnecessary bloatware. Take extra care and time to examine these
bundled software before hitting that Install button.
8.
Set Up the Wi-Fi and Fax Functions
This is a perfect example where the printer's Setup Wizard plays
an important role. Ideally, setting up the fax and wireless connection of the
printer is pretty simple. You may be required to set it up via wired connection
before going completely wireless. You will need to supply your networks wireless
information such as the network name and the wireless key (if you have a
wireless security enabled) in order for the printer to establish a wireless
connection. Same goes with setting up the fax side, which requires fewer steps,
and is also straightforward when done with the help of the setup wizard.
9.
Keep the Installation CD
Store the printer's installation CD in case you will need to
install it on another computer or reinstall the printer on the same computer
later on. Put it in a place where you can easily find it or much better, in a
CD shelf for all your one-stop CD needs.
UPKEEPING
10.
Shake laser toner cartridges before installing
Settled toner produces poor print quality, so to avoid them from
settling, give it a good shake about five or six times in back and forth
motion. Likewise, if you start to notice faded printouts, take out the
cartridge and shake them again.
11.
Take note of ink level warnings
Printers now have a feature wherein it gives an alert when the
ink level reaches low and needs to be replaced. Some may even provide the user
the actual percentage of a certain color ink or toner remaining. However, these
warnings may inconsistently vary depending on the printer and manufacturer,
with some giving out a warning just before a cartridge runs dry and some coming
out way earlier. Observe how long it usually takes for the print quality to
start degrading once you receive the said warning, and then proceed to replace
the cartridges after that. Replacing the cartridges in advance is a waste of ink
and money, but if you wait too long, it may ruin an important print job.
12.
Align the print head and clean the nozzles as required
If you experience poor quality printouts even though the ink
level is still on the safe level, try aligning the print head and clean the
nozzles of your printer. To do this, unseat then reseat the ink cartridges. On
the maintenance menu of your printer's screen, select Align Print Head or
any similar option, and then run it. Wait for your printer to print a test
page. Next, select Clean Print Head or any similar option, and
then run it. If you still got the same poor print quality, try cleaning the
print head or nozzle several times.
13.
Keep your printer clean
It's best to use a soft cloth dampened with a
cleaning solution or simply water to clean your printer. Just be careful not to
touch the inner parts of the printer with water or cleaning solution as it
could damage the printers sensitive parts. If you have a multi-function
printer, gently swab any dust or small debris from the printer's platen.
You can also check out your printer's documentation for some
other tips and steps on how to configure or take extra care of it. By simply
following these guidelines, you can expect your printer to work perfectly in
the years to come.
