What Does HP Instant Ink Ready Mean for Printers?
While a new printer is a significant upfront expense, it’s also an investment – and one that will last you many years. Now, you may have an opportunity to get a little something extra from your purchase if your printer is HP Instant Ink ready.
With the HP Instant Ink subscription program on your side, you can reduce your per-page print costs and stop worrying about purchasing new ink, a win-win.
But how do you know if your printer is capable of producing high-quality prints with this program while saving you time and money? If your printer is connected to Bluetooth or WiFi, chances are that it is “ready.” By taking the next step and signing up for HP Instant Ink service, you can simplify printing and cut your related costs.
What is HP Instant Ink ready?
When your printer is HP Instant Ink ready, it can accept genuine HP Instant Ink cartridges and use the HP online ink subscription program. This is important to help you save money on your printing costs, reduce time spent buying and recycling cartridges, and keep you up-to-date on everything that genuine HP ink products offer.
With an HP Instant Ink-ready printer, you don’t need to download additional software to use the subscription service. Instead, your printer automatically communicates with HP to monitor your ink levels in real time, then sends you a replacement to make sure you have the ink you need when you need it.
It’s not a monthly delivery, but rather a just-at-the-right-time delivery so you don’t have unused printer cartridges piling up. And you’ll never need to write down cartridge numbers or remember to buy in bulk again.
Is my printer HP Instant Ink ready?
If you’ve already been using your printer, then simply use the HP Smart app or desktop utility to check your printer status and then navigate to more information about the service.
If your printer is compatible, you’ll see a way to register in the app. If not, check the specs for your printer with the printer documentation or look on the HP website for more information. Typically, if an HP printer has WiFi connectivity, it’s eligible for HP Instant Ink.
Is the printer I plan to buy HP Instant Ink ready?
When shopping for a new printer, the packaging should tell you if the printer is eligible. Almost every new HP printer is Instant Ink ready, especially if it connects over WiFi and not solely through USB. When you set up your printer for the first time, you’ll see a prompt to join the HP Instant Ink program.
Pro tip: Many new HP printers come with free months of the ink subscription service so you can “try before you buy.”
What is the HP Instant Ink program?
Those unfamiliar with the HP Instant Ink program may not realize just how useful it can be. Here are some of the key benefits.
1. It’s affordable
Buying ink in a store or even online doesn’t guarantee a low price, especially since deals come and go. With HP Instant Ink, you have a clearly designated number of prints available to you for one low monthly price.
Print either full-color, borderless photos, or text documents without worrying about the cost of color prints, because each page counts as 1 page. This allows you to produce high-quality prints at a fraction of the price of buying ink by the cartridge for your color printing.
If you like to search for the best deal, HP Instant Ink delivers. Now you can stop looking for hard-to-find XL-sized cartridges or buy in bulk then have to store all those extra cartridges.
You’ll also get a better price with the genuine HP ink cartridges you receive in the mail than if you buy refurbished ink that may leave you with disappointing-looking prints or, worse, harm your printer.
2. It’s reliable
Buying knock-off cartridges may seem like a good deal, but you never know if the product you buy is consistent or reliable until you use it. HP, on the other hand, guarantees its ink products with the assurance they’ll provide consistent prints every time.
Plus, the ink ships to you just before you run out, so you don’t have to play the guessing game anymore about when to order. It’s not a monthly delivery; your cartridges arrive when you actually need them. No storing or stockpiling.
If you ever run into problems with installing your cartridges or using your ink, you have access to HP’s team of experts. In the rare case that a cartridge doesn’t perform as promised, they’ll send you out a new one and get you printing in no time.
3. It’s simple
With so many other responsibilities in life, no one wants to spend time driving to the office supply store. With HP Instant Ink, you can take one more thing off your shopping list and cut out coupon clipping, ad scanning, and trying to buy when your cartridges are in stock.
Returning your empties is convenient, too. Just put them in the postage-paid return envelope that comes in each ink shipment.
Whether your printer uses one cartridge or four, the program always monitors ink levels. If you’re in danger of running out soon, you’ll receive a replacement in plenty of time. No more running out of ink in the middle of a print job.
4. It’s eco-friendly
Do you like to partner with brands that respect our planet and all its creatures? HP is committed to removing plastics out of the oceans and putting them in more recycled products, giving you a simple way to do your part for the environment. With the easy return program, you can keep used ink products out of landfills, too. HP regularly works in local communities to provide resources through their recycling efforts, so even more people benefit.
5. It’s flexible
We know it’s difficult to plan for all your printing needs. While you may need 1,000 pages this month, you may only print 200 pages or fewer the next. HP Instant Ink program’s tiered pricing lets you change your monthly plan as needed.
If you do need to print many more pages than what your plan allows, an affordable per-page add-on option is available to keep your cost-per-page low.
Which HP Instant Ink-ready printers should you choose?
While you don’t need to buy a new printer to sign up for the HP Instant Ink program, if you are in the market for one, using one of these models in conjunction with the HP Instant Ink program boasts big benefits.
1. Home printers
Today’s households are busy, and a reliable printer with an HP Instant Ink subscription can help with everything from scanning legal documents to printing homework assignments. With ink plans starting at just $1.49 per month, there’s an option for families, students, homeschoolers, and household managers.
Try this: HP ENVY 7855 All-in-One printer
2. Office printers
Enjoy maximum savings and flexibility when you pair a quality printer with a high-volume HP Instant Ink plan. Use it to print client presentations, direct mailers, or proposals, as well as scan and fax through email. With either color or black-and-white pages counting as a single page, you can print and save more compared to outsourcing to a print shop.
Try this: HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e printer
3. All-family printer
No time to hit the photo kiosk? Try printing photos at home with the same per-page count as printing in black and white with HP Instant Ink. Borderless photos are a breeze, and you can also create stickers for crafts, photo postcards for sharing, and adorable projects for the kids to try.
Try this: HP ENVY 6455e All-in-One printer
4. Everyday color printer
Whether you're a teacher managing a classroom of 30 or a homeschooler keeping your students busy, there's always a need to cut costs and save time when creating curriculum for kids. Skip shopping at the supply store and use more of your budget for books when you choose HP Instant Ink. It takes one more thing off your agenda and helps you refocus on the things that truly matter.
Try this: HP DeskJet 4155e printer
Summary
If you own an HP printer, it’s likely ready for use with the HP Instant Ink program. Just check for Bluetooth or wireless networking on your device, and make sure you’re connected to the internet. Then, access the HP Smart App or www.hpinstantink.com for the next steps. Signing up for a plan takes just a few minutes, and the first ink shipment arrives quickly.
Are you in the market for a new printer? If simplicity, affordability, and quality matter to you, consider how this ink subscription service can improve your printing workflow. Some of the new HP printers even come with 6 months of free ink subscription service, so you have nothing to lose and only vibrant, quality prints to gain.
Just check for the HP Instant Ink logo on your printer packaging, or shop the HP website to see which eligible printer is right for you. With many printers offering a trial of the service, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into before you subscribe.
About the Author: Linsey Knerl is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Linsey is a Midwest-based author, public speaker, and member of the ASJA. She has a passion for helping consumers and small business owners do more with their resources via the latest tech solutions.
Popular HP Products
