If you’re a teacher (which I assume you are, if you’re here) and you’re anything like me, you probably print like a maniac. I try my best to only print at school but I find myself STILL going through lots of ink at home printing task cards in color, answer keys, master copies, games, etc.

My old printer from college finally bit the dust a few months ago so I decided to hop on the HP Instant Ink bandwagon, and I AM SO GLAD I DID! Below is a quick description of the program, and my HP Instant Ink review. Click here to use my link for a free month of HP Instant Ink!

What it is:

HP Instant Ink is a program through HP where you pay a monthly fee, and printer ink is shipped to you automatically when your printer is running low on ink. This basically eliminates the need to run out and buy more ink when your printer runs out, or honestly to go out and buy ink EVER. It’s like a subscription service for ink that you pay each month. You never have to worry about running out of ink for your printer, because it’s consistently being shipped to your doorstep automatically whenver you’re printer is low.

Here’s how it works:

• First and foremost, you have to have an Instant Ink-compatible printer. There are a ton of options available in a range of prices, so find one that works for you! I have the HP Envy 5055, which is out of stock on Amazon currently, but here’s a similar one – these models are a lower price point but mine has worked great so far! (affiliate link) Most Instant Ink printers will come with a free month or two of ink also!
• Next, you choose a plan to subscribe to, based on how much you print each month. For example, I pay $5 a month for 100 pages of printing. Each plan has rollover for unused pages as well. Click here for a more in-depth look at each plan.
• You pay the monthly fee for whichever plan you choose, and you will automatically receive ink in the mail when your printer is running low (both black and color ink). I’ve been using it for about five months now and have never had to wait for a cartridge. They’ve arrived well before I needed them every single time! Keep in mind, your printer needs to be connected to the internet so it can “tell” HP that your ink is running low.
• You can change or cancel your plan at any time – for example, I’ll probably switch to a lower plan during the summer because I won’t be printing as much, and switch to a higher one for August/September since it’s the beginning of the school year!

My honest thoughts:

Let me be clear, I was skeptical at first because quite honestly it seemed too good to be true. I researched a TON, and looked for every HP Instant Ink review I could find. (hence why I am writing this post to hopefully help you) I priced out the cost of ink vs. the subscription to instant ink. I compared what I spent on ink last year (I ordered it all online so it was easy to figure out) to what I would spend on instant ink, and it wasn’t even close! Instant ink was SOOO much cheaper, even if I stayed on the more expensive plan all year.

HP Instant Ink also has an awesome referral program! This means if you use my link, you can get a free month, and I get a free month! Seriously a win-win. Click here to use my link for a free month of HP Instant Ink!

After being skeptical at first, I am now a huge fan of this program. If you have any questions or want more information about my experience, hop over to my instagram and send me a message, or email me at themeaningfulteacher@gmail.com.

Happy Printing!

Looking for another classroom project? Click here for my easy & fun DIY classroom stools.