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HP Instant Ink subscription printing service launches in UK

HP Envy 5530

Save 70 per cent on normal printing costs by using new subscription service, according to HP

HP has launched an ink subscription service in the UK with high-tech new cartridges connecting to the internet to dole out ink.

HP Instant Ink is available on a rolling monthly contract, with prices starting at £1.99 per month for 50 pages per month. HP said the service could save people 70 per cent on their normal printing costs.

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The service uses a special extra-large ink cartridge that connects to the internet to keep track of how much a customer is printing. As well as the basic £1.99 package there is also a £3.49 per month 100 page plan and a £7.99 per month 300 page plan.

HP said the extra-large cartridge ought to last most people for several months, with replacement cartridges being sent out in advance free of charge. One page can be anything from a simple text document to a full A4 borderless glossy colour photograph.

HP’s cloud service will monitor how many pages customers print and can lock the cartridge to prevent it from printing extra pages that haven’t been paid for. Printers will need to connect to the internet at least once a month to send usage details back to HP.

Instant Ink is only compatible with the HP Envy 4500 series, HP Envy 5530 series, HP Officejet 4630 series, HP Officejet Pro 8610 and 8620 series printers.

Customers will need to purchase a rolling one-month subscription code from branches of Currys, PC World, John Lewis or online at www.hpinstantink.co.uk.

Any unused pages at the end of a month can be carried over for one additional month, with extra pages also available to purchase if a user runs out.