HP has had success with its consumer ink-as-a-service plan for some time. The manufacturer is now testing whether a formula that involves renting the printer can also be successful.

HP is finding success with its Instant Ink subscription. With Instant Ink you as a consumer can also sign a kind of service contract for your printer ink. For a monthly fee, you can print multiple pages while HP ensures new ink is delivered to your door on time. If you are interested, you need a compatible printer.

The system is convenient because you never run out of ink when you need it most. In addition, after a long test, the undersigned journalist discovered that small cartridges with the instant ink formula suddenly last much longer than similar ones that you buy yourself, but that is beside the point.

Leasing agreement

HP increasingly understands that a printed page is something people want and that not everything that comes with it adds value. What if you got not only the ink but also the printer for a monthly fee? HP is testing different formulas for both low-printing consumers and SMBs. The company informed the editorial team that the test is currently only running in the USA and that there is currently no talk of expanding it to Belgium.

In the US, HP offers a starting price of $6.99 per month for an HP Envy 6020e, which will allow you to print twenty pages per month. The most expensive option gets you an HP OfficeJet Pro and can print 700 pages per month for $35.99 per month. HP calls it the subscription Everything according to plan.

The concept makes sense on paper, but there are also question marks. Printing is rarely anyone’s favorite activity. Paying a monthly fee for a device that’s in your home but not with you because you’re tired of paying one-time for unreliable printers isn’t going to be for everyone.