HP TECH TAKES /...
Exploring today's technology for tomorrow's possibilities
Subscribe
What is HP ePrint and How Can I Use It?
Zach Cabading
|
April 3, 2019
We believe that the home printer is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Think about it. If you couldn’t print documents right off your computer, you’d probably have to hire a scribe. If you didn’t have the money to hire a scribe, you’d probably be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Yes, we repeat, home printing is absolutely the greatest thing since sliced bread.
From bringing your most cherished memories to life to printing important documents, the home printer has become a staple in every home (and commercial) office space.
But with essential new technology, a more refined version of printing was born. Now, remote printing is the greatest thing since home printing. Introducing the best remote printing service: HP ePrint. When you can access high-quality printing from anywhere, the possibilities are truly unlimited.
Have you found yourself wondering: What is HP ePrint? Or, what is remote printing, for that matter? And how can I get in on the action? We’re breaking down this revolutionary and user-friendly technology built by HP®.
What is HP ePrint?
HP ePrint changes the way you’re used to printing with a more refined, user-centered design. With HP ePrint, you can bring photos, documents, and more to life with the touch of a button, from literally anywhere.
On most printers, your device connects via USB, WiFi, or Bluetooth. While this functionality works when you’re in your home or at the office, it can be less than ideal for traveling professionals who don’t always have access to these technologies.
Imagine a time when your colleagues needed immediate access to a printed document saved solely to your local device. With only a standard printer connection, this inconvenience could quickly become a corporate emergency.
HP ePrint’s universal connectivity gives you access to your printer with a quick, simple email. So what exactly does email have to do with printing?
With HP ePrint, you can print documents simply by emailing them to the printer’s email address. Instead of using a driver or a direct connection, HP ePrint’s cloud computing technology allows you to send your print job through an HP-managed server, directly to your printer of choice.
If you’re wondering how your printer ended up with an email address, let alone how you can reach your printer via electronic mail, you’re not alone.
Let’s dive into the specifics, including how to use HP ePrint and what you need to print remotely.
HP ePrint works the same as sending an email
How do you send an email? It’s easy, right? You log into your email account. You hit your account’s variation of the “New Message” button. You type an email address in the address bar. You give the email a subject (or not). You type your message and maybe you even include a PDF attachment. Then you hit “Send.” Boom, you’re done.
HP ePrint works in the same way as you would use your standard email provider. Your printer is assigned its own email address and that’s how it will receive whatever it is you want to print. If you’re already a pro at sending email, you’re ready to incorporate HP ePrint into your home or business’s tech stack with no learning curve at all.
Nowadays remote email is commonplace, especially if you’re a businessperson. You’re probably used to sending emails on your phone, tablet, or laptop while you’re on-the-go. Same process, different recipient. Rather than typing the email address of your friend or colleague, you’d just type in the email address of your HP ePrint-compatible printer (which you may soon begin to consider as a friend or colleague).
Your document will be printed as soon as your printer receives the email as long as your printer is turned on and connected to the internet. This process is seamless for anyone who wants the convenience of remote printing, but it is especially helpful for those power professionals who need constant access to their technology and important files, no matter where in the world they are.
But the magic of HP ePrint isn’t limited to professional use. Casual users can benefit from this innovative technology as well. If you’re like most people in the modern age, it’s likely you are carrying a small computer in your pocket at all times: your smartphone.
You’re snapping shots of monumental memories, gourmet meals, and highlights from your latest vacation. Now, sharing these moments with friends and family is easier than ever with HP ePrint.
Whether your precious moments are captured on your smartphone or a friend’s, the printing process is the same. Simply share your printer’s email address with your photographer of choice and bring your best images to life when you send them directly to your home printer.
What do I need in order to use HP ePrint?
HP ePrint is simple, and you need only four things to use it:
1. Email account
2. HP printer
3. Internet connection
4. HP Connected account
1. Email account
One of the smartest things about HP ePrint is that it employs technology that casual users are already familiar with: email. So why does HP® use email as the primary technology for HP ePrint?
For one, email is one of the original staples of the internet. It was popular then, and it’s popular now, with about 3.8 billion users in 2019 [1].
Email is popular because it’s easy to use. It’s so easy to use, in fact, that the email interface has changed very little over the years, even while the rest of the internet has undergone seismic alterations. Email is here to stay, making it a reliable and obvious choice for our latest printing technology.
2. Printer that supports HP ePrint
In order to use our convenient printing technology, you’ll need an HP printer that supports HP ePrint. If you don’t have an HP printer, head on over to the HP Store and pick up an inkjet or laser printer that suits your personal or professional needs.
With plenty of models and features to choose from, our inventory will certainly have an HP ePrint compatible device that works for your lifestyle. Most HP printers are readily equipped for ePrint, so you’ve got a wide selection to choose from, at an array of price points.
Some of our most popular HP ePrint-capable models include:
- HP LaserJet Enterprise M806 printer
- HP Color LaserJet Pro M252 printer
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277 printer
Whether you’re printing from home or need a high-volume printer for your commercial office, HP® has a fleet of printers with features tailored to your printing needs.
I already have an HP printer. Does it offer HP ePrint?
If you need to check if your current HP printer is capable of HP ePrint, HP Support recommends looking for the following:
- HP printers with a touch screen display: Try to find an HP ePrint logo or icon. Additionally, look for a Web Services icon on the control panel display or printer.
- HP printers with a text-based menu display: Head to the Web Services Setup, Network Setup, or Wireless Settings, and confirm that there is a menu for Web Services.
- HP printers with LED or buttons-only displays: Push the Information button, which will print a Printer Information report. Browse the report to see if it offers Web Services or HP ePrint support.
Note: If you have to connect your printer with a USB cable, HP ePrint will not work.
3. Internet connection
Like most technological tools, you’ll need an internet connection for your HP printer. The device from which you’ll be printing, like your smartphone or laptop, also needs to be able to connect to the internet. But here’s the great thing: your printer and your device don’t need to have the same internet connection, allowing you to stay connected from wherever you are.
That would defeat the whole point of remote printing, right? After all, if you’re far away from your computer then you probably won’t be able to connect to the same internet connection that your printer’s connected to (unless you’ve invented WiFi that can span miles, in which case you’re in for a big payday) [2].
Bottom line: Your device needs to be able to send an email, and your printer needs to be able to receive an email. It doesn’t matter whether they’re on the same network. Attending a business meeting or conference abroad? No problem, with HP ePrint, you can be confident that your colleagues have consistent access to the important information they need.
Did your account manager secure a new deal while you were away? Don't waste a moment signing a new contract when you can send important details and documents to your office printer, whether you’re in the office or away. Find out more about connecting your HP printer to WiFi.
4. HP Connected account
HP Connected is a service through which you can manage your HP ePrint devices. Setting up an account is easy and free. Find out more about setting up your HP Connected account today.
HP Connected will:
- Assign an email address for your printer
- Allow you to remotely change your printer settings
But how can you access HP Connected when you’re on-the-go? Download the HP Smart app for iOS or Android. HP Smart allows you to remotely manage your printer settings even if you’re away from your printer. The app is your HP ePrint login if you’re using a mobile device. You can download it at the Microsoft Store.
To get started, simply log in to your HP Connected account, then head to the ePrint Address section on your printer’s Settings page.
How to print with HP ePrint
Printing your photos and documents with HP ePrint is simple. Follow these steps to take your images or words from screen to paper.
How to use HP ePrint with a computer
If you’re using HP ePrint with your computer, commit these steps to memory or bookmark this page for easy reference.
1. If you want to print a document or photo:
- Enter your printer’s address
- Enter a subject
- Attach the document or photo to the email and click “Send”
2. If you want to print an email for record-keeping:
- Open the email you want to print and click “Forward”
- Enter your printer’s address and click “Send”
3. If you want to print a webpage:
- Open the webpage you want to print
- Press the “Ctrl” and “A” keys to select the page content
- Press the “Ctrl” and “C” keys to copy the page content
- Open a blank document
- Press the “Ctrl” and “V” keys to paste the webpage content onto the document
- Save the document to your computer
- Attach the document to an email message and send it to your printer
Print from a smartphone or tablet
Maybe you’d prefer to print from your portable device. If you’re using HP ePrint from your phone or tablet, follow these steps:
4. To print a document or photo:
- On your device, open the document or photo that you want to print.
- Tap the “Action” or “Share” icon
- Select the email option. Your device will automatically open a new email message
- Enter your printer’s address
- Enter a subject
- Tap “Send”
5. To print an email:
- Open the email you want to print
- Tap “Forward”
- Enter your printer’s address and tap “Send”
6. To print a webpage for inspiration:
- On your device, open the webpage you want to print
- Tap and hold. All the content on the screen will be selected
- Tap “Copy”
- Open a new blank document
- Tap and hold
- Tap “Paste” to paste the content onto the document
- Save the document
- Attach the document to an email message and send it to your printer
As you can see, using HP ePrint really is as simple as sending an email. If you have an HP printer, get out there (far out there - far away from your home WiFi) and get printing. The possibilities are endless when you choose convenient printing methods from HP®.
Enjoy a simpler connection when you’re printing from your phone at home, and the new opportunity to print from anywhere in the world with any of your devices. Never miss a picture-perfect moment or crucial business opportunity with the innovative printing solutions available with HP ePrint.
[1] The Radicati Group, Inc; Email Statistics Report, 2018-2022
[2] OpenWeb; How far will your WiFi signal reach?
About the Author: Zach Cabading is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Zach is a content creation specialist based in Southern California, and creates a variety of content for the tech industry.
