HP printer users are now able to buy ink according to the number of pages they print each month with a new monthly subscription service that the PC and printer maker has rolled out in Singapore last week.
Through the Instant Ink service, HP will automatically send cartridges to home users before they run out of ink so they don’t have to rush out for a new cartridge. It also promises to cut costs by as much as half.
Prices start from S$1.90 a month, which gives you just 10 pages. There are four other plans, costing S$5.90 for 50 pages, S$8.90 for 100 pages, S$17.90 for 300 pages and S$36.90 for 700 pages.
As a comparison, an HP 65XL black ink cartridge costs about S$50 and promises a page yield of about 300 pages. That’s more expensive, assuming the numbers closely represent real-world usage.
Besides promising lower costs, the Instant Ink service also means more convenience and flexibility for users. They can now “unlock” how much they wish to pay, depending on their usage pattern.
Users need to have a compatible printer bought in the past few years, though HP says most models in recent years should support the service, which users can access from a mobile app.
Those who buy a new HP printer that supports Instant Ink will get a free three-month trial of up to 1,500 pages a month.
The service is touted as the first such subscription offer in Singapore, though it has been launched in other markets such as Australia and the United States, with 10 million subscribers so far.
With no lock-in period, users can cancel the service at any time. Used cartridges can also be sent back with prepaid envelops to be recycled, to reduce waste.
