Should You Use HP Instant Ink Delivery Scheme
HP has recently added a new service to a couple of new printers and called it the HP instant ink delivery enrollment scheme. So what does the HP instant ink scheme mean?
What is HP instant ink?
The instant ink scheme by HP has been set up as a subscription service which means that you pay a monthly fee for your HP ink cartridges and then HP will deliver you a cartridge when your printer ink needs replacing.
Should you use Instant Ink by HP?
Basically, the amount you print and how much you print means that there’s no point in having an instant ink subscription.
Before you sign up to the monthly subscription scheme you should work out your monthly printer usage.
The maximum number of pages you can print out is the number for the plan you have signed up to, in this case the plans are 50, 100, 300 pages per month with charges of £1.99, £3.49 and £7.99 per month.
HP will monitor your ink levels and pages printed and automatically order ink cartridges for your printer with delivery up to 10 days, with no cost to you due as part of your subscription fee.
HP Instant Ink Review
HP instant ink charges and records the pages that you print on regardless of how much you print per page or the pictures that you print. This is better for photo printing than mono printing.
If you print 1 paragraph of a page compared to 1 full page you will be charged the same. If you don’t use your monthly allowance, you can only roll over your subscription of the previous month.
For example 50 pages unused mean that you can use 100 pages max next month. If you exceed these limits you will be charged an additional £1 per 25 pages.
The delay of up to 10 days with receiving your cartridges may mean that you won’t be able to print. Most companies like Internet-Ink will delivery cartridges within 1-3 working days for free of your order, so in terms of convenience it doesn’t seem to work out.
Let’s look at the HP 934 and 935XL cartridges for the HP printer
Pay £26.22 for 1000 pages (original HP)
Pay £34.90 for 1000 pages (original HP instant ink)
Pay £8.99 for 1000 pages (Internet-Ink compatible ink)
Here’s some things to look out for before choosing a HP scheme:
-The printer comparison of pages you print is based on 5% coverage on a printed A4 paper. Depending on your printing needs you can be printing 10%, 20%, 30% or 50% ink coverage which can eat away ‘the number of pages’ from your monthly subscription and you can quickly exceed your monthly limit.
Think of instant ink in the same frame as a mobile monthly contract you have to top up every month or you lose your allowance. If you go over your allowance you get charged or have to add more to get on a better subscription.
-The HP instant ink scheme doesn’t allow for colour printing as the pages are worked out individually pages rather than cartridges. Normally printer cartridges are ordered depending on use with the printer. Individual colours or the black on the most efficient printers. This may work better when using a printer that accepts two cartridges with the black and colour tri cartridge.
Multipacks for HP 934 and 935
Pay £69.95 for 3475 pages (original HP)
Pay £79.99 for 3300 pages (original HP instant ink)
Pay £19.99 for 3475 pages (Internet-Ink compatible ink)
In review of the HP instant ink scheme, it’s better to check your printing and your choice of printer before you sign up or buy a printer on these schemes. They are other printers that can be as cost effective if not better than the printers used in these scheme.
Compatible remanufactured cartridges offer a cheaper alternative to the monthly ink scheme with a wider choice and all HP ink cartridges are guaranteed for 1 year for purchase anyway.
For more information on some of the cheapest printers to run have a look at our blog post. Also do some research before buying a printer, if you’re unsure of what you need to get the best for your printer contact a cartridge supplier or dealer who should be able to recommend a suitable printer for your needs.
Signing up with the HP instant scheme means that you’re locking into a contract with HP instant ink pretty much for the life of your printer as you won’t be able to use recycled cartridges in your printer should you not want to use the scheme again. HP has been known to update software and lock some cartridges to prevent recycling of cartridges or use in other printers.
Ideally always seek advice if you’re unsure. HP ink, HP compatible ink and HP instant ink are all up to you to choice what you want. There are also other brands such as Canon and Epson who can provide great value without a subscription program and some cartridges for your printer.
HP compatible instant ink printers:
HP DeskJet 3630 Series
HP DeskJet 3720 Series
HP DeskJet 3730 Series
HP ENVY 4500 Series
HP ENVY 4520 Series
HP ENVY 5530 Series
HP ENVY 5540 Series
HP ENVY 5640 Series
HP ENVY 7640 Series
HP OfficeJet 3830 Series
HP OfficeJet 4630 Series
HP OfficeJet 4650 Series
HP OfficeJet 5740 Series
HP OfficeJet 6950 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 6830 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 6960 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 8210 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 Series
HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 Series
Check out internet-ink’s ink cartridge range all come with free UK delivery right to you door and guaranteed for 1 year. Don’t forget if you buy compatibles you will get 10% off all your future orders. Internet-ink compatible inks have been featured and recommended by which magazine. Save on Instant Ink and buy from Internet-ink.