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HP Instant Ink
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Product Type | Subscription Service |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | https://instantink.hpconnected.com |
HP Instant Ink is a subscription service launched by HP Inc. for their printers in late 2013 [1]. Consumers with compatible printers can choose from various plans depending on the volume of their usage and receive a set amount of ink every month to cover that usage. The monthly price includes the relevant ink or toner, delivery and recycling of used cartridges.
In 2024 [2] HP started offering paper in the monthly plans for an additional fee in select countries (the continental Us, the UK, metropolitan France, Germany and others).
Also in 2024, a new "All-in" lease programme was announced, including a printer that limits the number of pages you can print itself removing the ability to use other cartridges [3]. The program is made up of three tiers.
Cost Saving
HP claims that "Most customers save on ink and many save up to 50% versus buying traditional ink cartridges" [4]. The cost savings are based on the monthly subscription cost of the 700 page/month "Bussiness" plan of the program and the results are compared to cost per page to print ISO/IEC 24711 pages in A4 paper in color.
The printers used in the study that came to these findings in the 2022 and 2023 reports [5] were all HP branded and (as hp notes in their FAQ) the ink or toner was OEM (not using third party inks) and not in XL cartridges.
Cancelation or Alteration of plans
HP Instant ink can be cancelled at anytime according to the terms of the service [6] with billing stopping at the end of the month. Upon cancellation all outstanding debts are collected.
The HP All-in programme can be cancelled for free if done within 30 days of enrolling and the printer is returned within 10 days of cancelation. If, however, the subscription has been maintained for longer than 30 days, and less than 24 months, there are additional fees in order to cancel (as per the FAQ in Jan 13).
Lawsuit
In July 6 2021 a class action lawsuit was filled representing all customers who believed they had been cheated by the HP Instant Ink programme <ref>Barnert v HP inc Case File via classaction.org<\ref>. The main claims of the suit were:
- HP will block you from using catridges or ink purchased outside of the programme, a fact they do not diclose.
- Cartridges and toners are not always sent in time.
- Sometimes cartidges are faulty on arrival.
- Prepaid return mailers are not always supplied.
- On cancellation of plan you cannot use the remainder of your ink.
As of January 2025 the case is still pending.
