PRINT QUALITY TIPS AND TRICKS

HP Sprocket printers, the sprocket app, and HP photo paper all work together as one print ecosystem and many factors can influence your print quality. For great prints, check out our list of tips and see what you like best.

Use the colored Print Quality Card

Each pack of HP Sprocket, HP Sprocket Select or HP Sprocket Plus Paper has a special blue or orange card.
Always load the colored HP Print Quality Card from the same pack of photo paper as is currently in the printer. This card cleans, calibrates, and prepares your printer for that specific pack of paper! Keep the colored sheet close by while printing those ten sheets.​
Think you see some print issues? Load the colored sheet again in the printer to fine tune the print quality for that pack of paper. When you open a new pack of paper, repeat the process every time! As a reminder, load the colored card into the paper tray with the barcode facing down.
HP Sprocket Studio Ink & Photo Paper do not come with a colored Print Quality Card because the printer uses a different printing technology than other sprocket printers. For HP Sprocket Studio, load the photo paper as indicated by the instructions included with the printer, the cartridge and photo paper, or in the sprocket app.

UPDATE FIRMWARE

HP Sprocket 200, HP Sprocket Plus, HP Sprocket 2-in-1, and HP Sprocket​

Keep your printer firmware up to date. Make sure your printer is charged at least 25% to update your firmware. The update will take 5-10 minutes. During this time, stay in the sprocket app and if possible, connect your phone to a power source during the update to prevent interruptions.

HP Sprocket Studio

Keep your printer firmware up to date. Update the HP Sprocket Studio printer firmware anytime when connected to a wall outlet. If you are connected to the HP Sprocket Studio Battery accessory, make sure the battery is charged at least 25% to update your firmware. The update will take a few minutes.
You will be automatically be prompted when firmware updates are available.
You will be automatically be prompted when firmware updates are available.

Disable Reveal Content​

Try turning off Reveal content on your sprocket prints. Our scannable prints reveal fun, AR experiences. For this, we overlay information on each print for your phone to "read" when scanned. This feature can change the way your prints look. Experiment turning it on/off to change how you interact with sprocket prints. Tap the Main Menu, then “sprocket”, and “App Settings”. Toggle on or off “Enable Reveal for prints”.
Tap "sprocket" in the Main Menu.
Toggle on or off "Embedded Experiences".
Select "App Settings".

EDIT PHOTOS

Use the sprocket app editing features to adjust color, brightness, contrast, and other factors in your prints. You can also use the Autofix feature to improve your images with a single tap.
Select a photo from your gallery and tap "Edit".
Tap the adjustments icon below the photo.
Adjust the brightness, contrast and saturation of the photo. Tap the checkmark to save your changes.

USE HP PAPER

Use genuine HP Sprocket, HP Sprocket Plus, or HP Sprocket Studio Ink & Photo Paper (as appropriate for your printer model).
There are other photo paper brands, but HP recommends using HP branded paper and cartridges (HP Sprocket Studio only) for best results. You can purchase genuine HP Sprocket Photo Paper HERE.

Store your ZINK® photo paper in a cool, dry place and avoid contact with water – we recommend between 32-77° F (0-25°C) and 40-60% relative humidity.

For HP Sprocket Studio Ink & Photo Paper, avoid touching the shiny-side of the paper. Fingerprints and other smudges can impact the look of the prints. Hold the paper by the edges or perforated ends when loading.

COOL DOWN

If you get a sprocket app message warning about the printer temperature, don’t worry too much—the printer will slow its print speed or pause automatically if it begins to get warm. You can also try giving your printer a break between print sessions if it’s continually showing as too warm.


HP Sprocket Studio​

Your HP Sprocket Studio is less likely to have print quality issues due to the temperature. The printer will slow its print speed automatically if it begins to get warm, especially if you have sent several prints in a row (8-10 prints).​

HP Sprocket Support