What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 1512 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP DeskJet 1512 uses two cartridges: an HP 61 or HP 61XL black and an HP 61 or HP 61XL tri-color. HP's 2026 HP 61 High Yield Black and HP 61 Tri-color also fit. Castle Ink stocks remanufactured HP 61XL Black, HP 61XL Tri-color and a 61XL combo pack.
The 1512 is a model in HP's DeskJet 1510 series, along with the 1511, 1513 and 1514, and they all take the same ink. It also shares cartridges with the DeskJet 2540, 1050 and 1000. Outside North America the 1510 series uses HP 301 cartridges. We couldn't confirm those work in a U.S. printer, so buy by the U.S. numbers below. For a side-by-side of the two sizes, see HP 61 vs HP 61XL.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP DeskJet 1512
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. Expert Reviews and Cartridge Save reviewed the DeskJet 1510 without a score we could read. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 76 | About 6.9¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured HP 61XL black (430 pages) and HP 61XL tri-color (300 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 82 | Most-reported problems: cartridge lights blinking after a cartridge change; all lights blinking in an error state; scanner stopping mid-scan; slow color printing |
| Features (12%) | 40 | Print, copy and scan with a flatbed, over USB only. No Wi-Fi, no display, no document feeder, no automatic two-sided printing, no borderless printing, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. HP released the DeskJet 1510 series, which includes the 1512, in 2013. In October 2026, original HP 61XL cartridges were in stock at 4inkjets and HP's refreshed 2026 HP 61 cartridges were sold at Staples.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 21, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 61XL BlackCH563WN · ~430 pages
HP 61XL Tri-colorCH564WN · ~300 pages
HP 61XL comboBlack + Tri-color
HP 61XL Black
HP 61XL Tri-color
HP 61XL comboOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
What Ink Cartridges Does the HP DeskJet 1512 Take?
| Cartridge | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 61 Black | CH561WN | ~170 pages | — |
| HP 61XL Black (high yield) | CH563WN | ~430 pages | Remanufactured HP 61XL Black |
| HP 61 High Yield Black (2026) | C0PA4AN | ~360 pages | — |
| HP 61 Tri-color | CH562WN | ~150 pages | — |
| HP 61 Tri-color (2026) | C0PA5AN | ~200 pages | — |
| HP 61XL Tri-color (high yield) | CH564WN | ~300 pages | Remanufactured HP 61XL Tri-color |
| HP 61XL Black + Tri-color combo | — | ~430 / 300 pages | Remanufactured 61XL combo |
Yields are the current figures retailers list. HP originally rated these cartridges a little higher. Match each cartridge to the color and icon on its slot. Our remanufactured 61XL cartridges are built from original HP shells and keep the HP chip.
Are HP 61XL Cartridges Worth It?
Yes. The 61XL black prints about 430 pages against about 170 for the standard 61, and the 61XL tri-color about 300 against about 150. On October 21, 2026, 4inkjets listed HP's 61XL black (CH563WN) at $66.99 (about 15.6¢ a page) and the 61XL tri-color (CH564WN) at $67.99 (about 22.7¢ a page), both in stock. Staples listed HP's newer high-yield black (C0PA4AN, about 360 pages) at $49.99 (about 13.9¢ a page) and the new tri-color (C0PA5AN, about 200 pages) at $52.99 (about 26.5¢ a page). Walmart had the standard HP 61 black at $28.92 (about 17¢ a page). Our remanufactured HP 61XL black is $23.95 and the HP 61XL tri-color is $24.95, about 5.6¢ and 8.3¢ a page, or $35.99 for the combo pack.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the HP DeskJet 1512?
- Make sure the printer is on and load plain paper.
- Open the cartridge access door and wait for the carriage to move to the center.
- Press down on the old cartridge to release it, then remove it.
- Unpack the new cartridge and pull off the plastic tape with the pink pull tab.
- Slide the cartridge into its slot until it clicks, close the door, and align the cartridges when the software asks.
Which Other Printers Use HP 61 and 61XL?
The DeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1510, 2050, 2540, 2542 and 3050; the Envy 4500 and 5530; and the OfficeJet 4630. Each of those families has several variant numbers, such as the DeskJet 1051, 1056 and 3052A, that take the same two cartridges.
What DeskJet 1512 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer in HP's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can I print to it over Wi-Fi?
No. The 1510 series connects only by USB, so phones and other computers can't find it on a network unless you share it from the computer it's plugged into.
What do the cartridge lights mean?
A steady light means that cartridge is low, still taped, missing or not recognized as genuine. A blinking light means it's seated wrong, incompatible or very low. If both blink, check for tape and missing cartridges first.
All the lights are blinking at once.
The printer is in an error state. Turn it off, unplug it, wait about a minute, plug it back in and turn it on. Contact HP if the lights come back.
Why won't it print after a cartridge change?
It wants an alignment first. It prints an alignment page, which you then scan on the glass. Reviewers noted it won't carry on printing until that's done.
Can it run on one cartridge?
Yes. With one cartridge removed it switches to single-cartridge mode and still prints and copies. Install both to leave that mode.
DeskJet 1512 quirks worth knowing
- It has no display. You get an On button, Cancel, black and color copy buttons, and status lights.
- Copies are normal quality only, and you can make up to 9 at a time by pressing the copy button again.
- The input tray takes up to 50 sheets of plain paper, 20 sheets of photo paper or 5 envelopes. Two-sided printing is manual.
- Expert Reviews found black text sharp but color printing very slow, and it can't print borderless photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the HP DeskJet 1512 use?
HP 61 or HP 61XL black and HP 61 or HP 61XL tri-color. HP's 2026 HP 61 High Yield Black and HP 61 Tri-color also fit.
Does the DeskJet 1512 use the same ink as the 1510?
Yes. The 1512 is part of the DeskJet 1510 series and takes the same HP 61 and 61XL cartridges.
Is the DeskJet 1512 wireless?
No. It connects to a computer by USB only.
Other printers that use HP 61 and 61XL
HP DeskJet 1510 · HP DeskJet 2540 · HP DeskJet 1050 · HP DeskJet 1000 · HP Envy 5530
More HP ink guides: HP DeskJet 3755 · HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP OfficeJet 200 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw (laser) — CastleScore 82
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — CastleScore 79
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 21, 2026 and will change over time.
- HP DeskJet 1510 series user guide
- HP: HP 63/65 and HP 61 cartridge changes explained
- 4inkjets: HP DeskJet 1512 cartridges
- Staples: HP 61 high-yield black C0PA4AN
- Staples: HP 61 cartridge prices
- Walmart: HP 61 black CH561WN
- Expert Reviews: HP DeskJet 1510 review
- HP Community: DeskJet 1510 scanner stops
Need replacement HP ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.