Homeschool Tips: Printing Curriculum
Tips for Printing Digital Curriculum: Save Time, Money, and Your Sanity
In today’s world of homeschooling and online education, digital curriculum is an absolute game-changer. It's flexible, budget-friendly, and easy to store. But when it's time to print those beautifully designed pages, many families run into the same question:
How do I print this without wasting paper, ink, or my patience?
Whether you’re printing a full unit study or just a few worksheets, these homeschool printing tips will help you make the most of your digital resources.
1. Print What You Need (Not Everything)
Not every page in your digital curriculum needs to be printed. Be strategic.
- Print only what's necessary. Worksheets, hands-on activities, and student journal pages are usually worth printing.
- Keep digital what can stay digital. Reading passages, answer keys, or resources with clickable links work great on a tablet or laptop.
- Reuse when you can. Slip schedules and checklists into page protectors and use dry-erase markers.
2. Don’t Own a Color Printer? You Don’t Need One!
Trivia Question:
Can you homeschool effectively if you don’t own a color printer?
Absolutely!
We haven’t had one for years — and honestly, we don’t miss it. Color printers often eat through ink faster than you'd expect. After constant ink refills and frustration, we switched to a reliable black-and-white laser printer — and never looked back.
Here’s how to make it work without color:
- Print in black and white when color isn’t critical. Many activities don’t require color, and sometimes your kids will prefer to color things their own way anyway.
- Download and read digital resources on devices like your phone, tablet, or laptop to avoid printing altogether.
- Use outside resources for color printing:
- A local print shop or one run by a fellow homeschool parent. (We found one that prints on cardstock for less than $0.50 a page!)
- Public libraries often offer color prints at $0.30/page — and they may let you bring your own paper.
- Ask your co-op or charter school if they offer free or low-cost printing options.
3. Ask These Questions Before Printing in Color
Color printing costs add up fast, so it helps to get clear on which resources are worth it. Ask yourself:
- Will my kids interact with this page by cutting, sorting, matching, or moving it?
- Is it a diagram, chart, or reference image that benefits from color?
- Would this resource bring joy or beauty to our homeschool space if displayed?
If the answer is yes to any of those — go ahead and print it in color!
4. Shrink to Save
Another money-saving hack? Print at a smaller scale. Many printable resources are full-page by default, but can be just as effective at half-size or even quarter-size.
- Try printing two or four pages per sheet (your printer settings should allow this).
- Smaller pages = less ink + less paper = big savings.
- Bonus: They’re also easier to store and organize.
5. Optimize Your Printer Settings
If you print frequently, adjusting your printer settings can save a ton over time:
- Use draft mode for worksheets that don’t need crisp text.
- Set your printer to black & white only if you don’t want it sneaking in some color ink.
- Always print double-sided when possible.
If you're in the market for a new printer:
- Black-and-white laser printers are a homeschool hero.
- Ink tank color printers (like Epson EcoTank) offer long-term ink savings.
6. Organize Printed Curriculum for Sanity
Once your printouts start stacking up, having a system helps:
- Use a three-ring binder with labeled dividers.
- Spiral bind larger unit studies at your local print shop.
- Create themed clipboards or folders for quick access to daily or weekly work.
- For flashcards and other small pieces, try a photo organizer.
7. Consider Professional Printing
Sometimes it just makes sense to outsource. These options are convenient and cost-effective:
- Local print stores
- Office supply stores like Staples or FedEx.
- Online homeschool printers like Family Nest Printing or The Homeschool Printing Company.
- Community co-ops or homeschool groups may offer group discounts.
Final Thoughts
Printing digital curriculum doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With a few smart strategies and a little creativity, you can print exactly what you need, how you need it — without draining your wallet or your sanity.
Ready to Print Smarter?
Printing is just one small part of your homeschool routine — but doing it well makes a big difference. Start with what’s essential, find affordable solutions for color, and don’t be afraid to go digital when it makes sense.
