Is Instant Ink different quality than the regular HP ink sold in say, Staples?

[Crys45S]

Hello! I have been printing with HP Instant ink cartridges since I got my printer last year (HP Deskjet 4155e)— I haven’t received a shipment of ink for a while as I wasn’t printing most of the summer and had been sent a new credit card with a new number since I was hacked, etc. Got that taken care of… but I have an event this weekend and am printing off prints of art quotes. I ran out of color ink in the Instant Ink cartridges and had to run to the Staples near me to get another one (67XL) since I had those issues with the Instant Ink credit processing. I used the same file from my computer, same document color settings, same printer settings (color-fine, best quality on regular paper), and it prints way different colors! It’s night and day for the navy ink and dark turquoise. The navy ink now prints like a royal blue and the teal like a bright aqua. The dark maroon ink looks just slightly lighter, like a dark magenta, but still doesn’t look like the originals I printed with the Instant Ink cartridges. Are the hp cartridges sold in stores lesser quality inks than those from instant ink? 

[Crys45S]

Here is a photo of what I mean… Instant Ink cartridge print is on the left, hp cartridge print from staples is on the right. No flash, natural light. Same ink colors on my screen, but prints are way lighter with ink. Same paper. The only difference is the ink cartridge. 

 

[Anand_Andy]

Hi @Crys45S,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you are facing a print quality issue with your HP  printer. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue.

To assist better:

• Does the copy print out the same way? 
• What's the application you are trying to print from? 
• Have you tried printing from a different application or device? 
• is the ink cartridge which you purchased from Staples leaking?
• What is the print quality set for your printer( High, Normal or Draft)?

While you respond to that, let's print a Print Quality Diagnostic page -Post the Print Quality Diagnostic page here so we can help you further. 

You may also refer to this document with steps to fix the " Print Quality Issues" issue applicable to your printer -  Print Quality Issues

Also, try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Crys45S · Accepted solution]

I figured out the problem. When the new cartridge from Staples was installed, it didn't print the sheet to scan for alignment so it was only printing either Cyan or Magenta, but not blending them. I had to re-install black so that forced the alignment sheet to print and I scanned it. After that, the inks started printing correctly again. 

Don't know why the alignment sheet didn't print after the Staples-purchased HP cartridge was installed though. 

All fixed.

Thanks!

[Anand_Andy]

 @Crys45S,

That's great! Happy to hear that.

If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us. 

Have a great day ahead!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Accept as Solution" and "Kudos, Thumbs Up" buttons on the public post, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!