As we step into a new year, many of us are embracing fresh starts, setting goals, and upgrading our tools to work smarter, not harder. Whether you’ve invested in a new printer for your home office, business, or schoolwork, ensuring it’s set up correctly and optimized for efficiency can save you time, money, and headaches down the line. Here are some expert tips to kickstart your year with smarter printing and make the most of using Mopria.
1. Setting Up Your New Printer
Unboxing and setting up a new printer can feel overwhelming, but with a few key steps, you’ll be up and running in no time:
- Choose the Right Spot: Select a location with good ventilation and easy access to power outlets. Ensure the spot allows for smooth paper loading and doesn’t obstruct wireless signals.
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Follow your printer’s user manual to connect it to your home or office Wi-Fi network. Many printers now support easy setup via touchscreen displays or apps.
- Enable Windows Protected Print Mode: If you use Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, enabling Windows protected print mode will ensure you’re using the modern Windows print stack for additional security benefits. This is also part of Windows’ effort to simplify the printing experience and eliminate the need for print drivers. (See our note below on printer drivers.)
- Run a Test Print: Once installed, run a test print to confirm everything is working as expected. Check for any alignment issues or driver mismatches.
Do I need to install a printer driver? In many cases, you won’t need to install or update printer drivers when setting up a new printer. If your printer is Mopria Certified, it will automatically update and install drivers with no action required from you. In fact, Microsoft plans to end servicing for third-party printer drivers on Windows in favor of a more modern, secure print platform with Windows protected print mode. The best way to prepare for this is to ensure you’re using a Mopria certified printer or multi-function printer. Over 120 million printers, including most new printers, already sold are Mopria certified. To verify whether your printer is compatible with Windows protected print mode, search our list of Mopria certified products.
2. Optimizing Printer Settings for Maximum Efficiency
Printers come with a range of settings that can be tweaked to match your specific needs. Here’s how to get the most out of your device:
- Use the Right Print Mode: For draft copies, choose “fast” or “economy” mode to save ink and toner. For high-quality prints, select “best” mode.
- Choose the Right Paper: Use paper that matches your printing purpose—photo paper for images, standard office paper for documents, and eco-friendly options to reduce environmental impact.
- Set Defaults for Convenience: Configure default print settings like double-sided printing (duplex), grayscale for everyday documents, and page layout preferences to save resources.
- Regular Maintenance: Clean your printer’s heads and rollers, update firmware, and replace cartridges promptly to maintain top-notch performance.
All Android phones come pre-installed with the Android Default Print Service, which can handle the basics. For even more control over your printer settings, download Mopria Print Service and unlock features like selecting your media (paper) type, tray selection, stapling, finishing options, authentication and PIN printing, borderless printing, and more. Mopria Print Service works with all 120 million Mopria certified printers, meaning you can use this single app with every printer you use. See all the differences between the Android Default Print Service and Mopria Print Service on our FAQ.
3. Additional Tips for Smarter Printing
- Save Ink and Toner: As we mentioned above, printing in grayscale and lower quality can help you cut back on ink and toner usage for everyday print needs. You can also use high-yield cartridges for cost-efficiency. Learn more about the difference between standard and high-yield ink cartridges from Mopria Alliance member HP: Standard Ink vs. High Yield Ink Cartridges
- Plan for Replacement Supplies: Keep extra ink or toner and paper on hand to avoid interruptions during important tasks. Some printers can even reorder ink for you when you’re running low, while other manufacturers offer subscription plans for ink reordering.
- Explore Mobile Printing Solutions: Take your productivity on the go with Mopria’s technology, which enables you to print from cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
Make 2025 Your Most Productive Year Yet
With the right setup and the Mopria Print Service in your back pocket, printing becomes stress-free and efficient. Whether you’re working on a major project, printing photos or managing business documents, smarter printing starts here.
Ready to elevate your printing experience? Explore Mopria-certified printers and download the Mopria Print Service to unlock seamless printing today.
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