Hardware - Wide Format Print

London-based City & West End Solutions (CWES) have launched their new website, and announce Demo Days on the new HP Designjet L25500 latex printer.

CWES are 'the No.1 HP large-format reseller', qualifying them for the prestigious HP Gold Preferred Partner programme. This is a status reserved for only the best performing HP large format resellers.

The new CWES website features a number of business tools, including their HP Profit Calculator - interactive tools that accurately illustrate the typical profit levels that can be achieved with an HP printer.

The Profit Calculator covers all models from Designjet Z6100 through to the Designjet L65500 latex, and the full range of HP commercial UV flatbeds. Calculators for the the latest HP L25500 42" and 60" latex printers will also be added imminently.

In terms of these new HP latex machines, CWES are also pleased to announce Demo-Days, which can be booked online now on their new website.

Why book your HP DesignJet L25500 Demo with CWES?

• CWES are the HP Reseller with the most Latex experience in the UK as we have installed more HP Designjet L65500's than anyone else.
• CWES are the ONLY HP Reseller in the UK with HP technically trained engineers.
• CWES are the first HP Gold Preferred Partner to have the L25500 for in-house demo in the UK.

Key Features / Benefits of the new HP Designjet L25500:

• User-replaceable printheads - Less intervention for changing printheads avoids delays and improves your turnaround time.
• Included take-up reel - Print unattended runs overnight on long media rolls with the media take-up reel.
• Dry right out of the printer - Improve your turnaround time with prints that are dry and ready immediately
• Media sensor & drop detector - Achieve high image quality & consistency with the optical media sensor & drop detector.
• HP double swath technology - Staggered printheads resulting in twice the performance of earlier Designjet models.
• Embedded web server - Control print settings and monitor ink and media usage via the embedded Web server.
• HP latex inks - Produce outdoor signage with durability comparable to eco-solvent inks.
• Wide range of media - Including coated media or polyester fabric and low-cost papers without treatments.

CWES recommends the HP Designjet L25500 as an environmentally-friendly inkjet printer

• Water-based HP Latex Inks - no hazard warning labels, no HAPs
• No special ventilation required
• Prints odourless signs
• Range of recyclable HP media available, with take-back program
• ENERGY STAR qualified
• Click here for CWES Environmental Policy

To find out more, book a demonstration and access the CWES Profit Calculator tools, visit their new website at http://www.cwesolutions.co.uk

Be one of the first to see the new HP Designjet L25500 in action, at an i-Sub Digital Open Day.

Open Days will be scheduled throughout October and November 2009, where you can see the new HP Designjet L25500 latex printer being put through its paces.

With limited places available, and high demand expected, users are being encouraged to book quickly by calling i-Sub Digital on Tel: 01536 415511 or by email to openday@i-subdigital.com to discuss available venues, dates and times.

HP Designjet L25500 latex printers, from iSub Digital...

The new benchmark has been set: The HP Designjet L25500 sets a whole new benchmark for the wide format print professional. Durable high quality output, printed with the environment in mind, using HP latex ink technology that is cleaner and greener.
The quality you expect from an HP: Vibrant colour at 1200dpi display print quality, with output that is instantly dry off the printer, for greater productivity and profit potential.
Outdoor durability without the compromise: Signage and even vehicle wraps, with print durability that is comparable to eco-solvent printers, without any of the environmental concerns associated with solvent inks.
 
Also Showing - HP Designjet L65000

Attend one of our Open Days and you'll also have the opportunity to see the HP Designjet L65500 commercial latex printer in action.

To book your place...

Open Day places can be booked by calling i-Sub Digital on Tel: 01536 415511 or contact them by email at openday@i-subdigital.com

You can also visit the i-Sub Digital website at www.i-subdigital.com

Supporting Xaar's theme, 'Think Digital, Think Inkjet, Think Xaar', Xaar partners at SGIA will be demonstrating the breadth of printers utilizing Xaar printheads, from wide-format to specialty presses, including introductions from Real Plotter.

On SGIA booth 145, Real Plotter, manufacturers of Vermillion digital printers in Latin America, is introducing its new Proton Vermillion solvent printer, built in Brazil. The Vermillion PROTON can print exceptional continuous-tone images on a wide variety of substrates with vibrant, durable colours for indoor or outdoor use. Equipped with Xaar Proton printheads, the easy to use Proton Vermillion prints up to 1440 dpi at a speed of 200 sqft/hr.

The highly productive Xaar Proton printhead is a wide, high-resolution binary printhead, producing outstanding print quality rapidly and consistently. Its 35-picoliter drop ensures sufficient resolution for high-quality signs and graphics, and its wide, 2.1-inch swathe, delivers high-speed multi-pass printing. End users appreciate its speed and excellent print performance. Printer manufacturers report that the Xaar Proton is easy to integrate and reduces setup times. The printheads can adjust to various speeds, delivering lower ink consumption without sacrificing colour saturation.

Other Xaar partners demonstrating digital printers with Xaar printheads at SGIA include:

* Teckwin International (booth 2067) utilises the Xaar 760 printhead in its TeckStorm UV Printer. The TeckStorm is primarily used for POP displays, durable graphics and billboard banners, where versatility is very important. The Teckwin8000 Series ink used in the Teckwin TeckStorm flatbed digital printer is approved by Xaar.

"Evident at SGIA is the wide variety of manufacturers that design their printers with Xaar printheads, from wideformat to specialty pad printers," said Chris Lynn, vice president sales and marketing, Xaar Americas, Inc. "The assortment of printheads from Xaar allows manufacturers to select from binary, grayscale, and different speeds, resolutions and drop sizes to fit their specific requirements."

 

The Viscom Dusseldorf exhibition (1-3 October) saw the first public showing of the the new HP Designjet L25500 latex printers, on the HP stand (Hall 8a, booth G20).

These eagerly awaited printers, available in both 42" (1065mm) and 60" (1525mm) widths, are expected to bring many of the benefits of the larger L65500 latex printer, released at what we fully expect to be a more affordable and broadly accessible pricepoint.

A hugely interesting product, not least because, if priced correctly, it could see significant numbers of existing large format solvent inkjet users making the move over to what is claimed to be a significantly cleaner and greener print process.

Not since the launch of the Designjet 5000 have HP made such a relevant and timely product launch. Many industry-watchers consider the 5000-series as the printer that cemented HPs' position as a force in the wide format print marketplace, more importantly it was arguably the printer that finally saw them wrestle market leadership away from the then dominant Encad Novajet.

In the time since then, HP have made further inroads at the commercial end of the display print market, through acquisition of industry innovators such as NUR and Scitex.

Whilst those acquisitions were at the volume-production end of the market, this new product launch is perhaps the machine that will capture the imagination of the mainstream sign and display print industry, and we'll possibly see HP repeating the successes of the Designjet 5000.

We feel sure that many senior figures at HP will indeed be hoping to see history repeat itself in this manner, as it hasn't all gone their way, particularly in the sign market where their lack of a viable in-house solvent print solution (forget the rebadged Seikos', when compared to the success of their aqueous printers the Seiko relationship bore little fruit), allowed Roland, Mimaki, and to a lesser extent here in the UK, Mutoh, to outsell HP by significant numbers.

The L25500 printers themselves will allow for outdoor and indoor application versatility with print-quality and display permanence comparable to low-solvent printers, whilst reducing the impact of printing on the environment. This allows owners to create an improved printing environment for their employees, whilst targeting the business of environmentally conscious customers.

As said, HP are without doubt dominant in the affordable wide format aqueous printer market, and through acquisition have much to offer at the high end, but they need this affordable latex ink solution to bridge that gap, in so doing HP could then have the all-encompassing and genuinely viable cradle-to-the-grave wide format product portfolio that they need.

If the Designjet L25500 can delivers all that it provisionally promises, can print at production speeds, and the price is attractive enough to make it a viable alternative to the current solvent-based offerings from other manufacturers, then we'd fully expect to see HP picking up a number of important resellers, and maybe, just maybe, they will have a real success on their hands.

Click here for the latest News from the official HP L25500 launch at Viscom Dusseldorf, including pricing and availability.

You can also read the Official HP L25500 Press Release right here on LFR by clicking here.

HP today launched their new L25500 latex printer at Viscom Dusseldorf, and we have one of our guys there to bring you all of the news on what is arguably one of the most important product releases of recent years.

For those already familiar with HP latex technology, as launched in the L65500, the big selling point is the the fact that it uses a latex-based non-solvent ink, so there are considerable environmental benefits.

 

What HP say about the Designjet L25500...

Delivering unrivalled versatility for a variety of outdoor and indoor large-format applications, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer featuring HP Latex Printing Technologies offers print service providers a solution that provides durability comparable to eco-solvent inks, while reducing the impact of printing on the environment. The newest addition to the HP Latex Printing Technologies portfolio, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer is an ideal solution for small and medium digital print and sign shops, as well as copy shops and photo labs interested in offering an enhanced range of applications and increasing their competitive advantage.

 

What LFR say about the Designjet L25500...

Some will have been expecting the new L25500 to look like a cut down version of the 2.6 metre-wide L65500, but it has actually been released on a modified Designjet Z6100 chassis.

In line with this Z6100 heritage, the L25500 printers will be available in 1065mm (42") and 1525mm (60") widths.

As regards availability, demo units will be launched into the HP channel soon, with production units ready for first installations in January 2010 - if you've been good this year, you could ask Santa to bring you one!

Alternatively, if funding it by more traditional methods, you'll need to find €19,500 for the 42" or €25,500 for the 60" - prices that we were pleasantly surprised by - we thought it would be priced higher.

One of the best features of the machine, forgetting for a moment the environmental benefits, is the fact that the print comes off the machine dry and ready for shipping, or for immediate lamination should you prefer - this is a significant benefit over and above solvent alternatives that have to be left to one side for a period of time for the solvents to fully evaporate.

This 'instant print' feature is facilitated by a two-stage drying process, the first stage removes the water carrier, the second cures and bonds the ink to the substrates.

The machine is not as fast as either the L65500, or indeed the Z6100 which serves as the chassis donor, with maximum print speeds of 20 square metres, and 10 metres per hour as the expected production speed - how these claimed speeds and quality levels will actually stack up in the 'real-production-world' remains to be seen, and this is obviously key to the machines success.

At time of launch there will be no 'PostScript onboard' version of the machines, but HP have been working closely with all of the major RIP manufacturers, and we'd expect to see drivers for the Designjet L25500 rolled out by the RIP vendors over the coming weeks.

As regards the consumables, the printer will use HP 789 cartridges, as pictured below, in 775ml capacities.The cartridges will be priced at €200 each.

 

Got questions for HP? Email us...

That is about all we have for you currently, but if you have any specific questions you want asked on your behalf, email us at newsdesk@largeformatreview.com - we will try to get your questions answered, and update this article during the course of the show.

Click here to read the LFR Editorial View on the importance of this new machine to HP.

Update: You can now read the Official HP Press Release right here on LFR by clicking here.

HP today unveiled an expanded portfolio of HP Latex Printing Technology solutions designed to broaden production capabilities for a greater number of customers and provide a viable alternative to eco-solvent technologies.

The offerings enable small and midsize digital print and sign shops, copy shops and photo labs to produce indoor and outdoor applications with ease while reducing their environmental impact.

Additions to the portfolio include:

• The HP Designjet L25500 Printer, which offers easy, low-maintenance printing of a wider range of applications – from indoor point-of-purchase displays, exhibition graphics and interior décor like wall murals and fabrics to outdoor banners, bus shelters and vehicle wraps – than is possible with eco-solvent or traditional water-based printing alone.
• Six Original HP printing materials compatible with HP Latex Ink printers, including two recyclable substrates and three polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free alternatives
• The expansion of the HP Planet Partners program to include the HP Large-format Media take-back program in the United States and select countries in Europe

“Customers have been asking us for a versatile, cost-effective alternative to eco-solvent-based printing solutions for the production of a wider range of indoor and outdoor large-format applications, while reducing the impact of printing on the environment,” said Santiago Morera, vice president and general manager, Designjet Large-format Printing Solutions, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “The expanded HP Latex Printing Technology portfolio enables us to meet and exceed this demand for a variety of customers, allowing them to create a competitive advantage and seize new growth opportunities.”

The expanded HP Latex Printing Technology portfolio builds on the proven technology of the HP Designjet L65500 Printer. This printer has seen tremendous acceptance in the graphics market with more than 1.2 million m2 printed on installed machines since the printer’s general availability in August 2008.

Unrivaled versatility, ease of use and printing with the environment in mind

Available in 42- and 60-inch models, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer delivers unrivaled versatility for a broad range of high-quality and flexible, outdoor and indoor applications while meeting the needs of environmentally conscious customers.

Existing low-volume print service providers (PSPs), such as early customer Tot.rètol of Igualada, Spain, can benefit from the HP Designjet L25500 Printer because it delivers prints with quality and durability comparable to eco-solvent ink technologies. In addition, it prints a wider range of applications – from durable outdoor signage to high-resolution, close-view prints – than is possible with eco-solvent or traditional water-based printing alone.

“The HP Designjet L25500 Printer has allowed us to expand our previously solvent-only sign-making business with new applications and products, while still serving our core business for robust, durable output,” said Joan Torrents, general manager and owner, Tot.rètol. “We recently bid for a high-image-quality job for which our solvent printer was not an option due to the low image quality it offers. By using the HP Designjet L25500 Printer, as opposed to outsourcing, we were able to make an extremely competitive offer to acquire the new customer and still make a profit. The customer was satisfied with our printing service and we have become their first choice supplier.”

The ease of use afforded by water-based HP Latex Inks and HP 789 Designjet Printheads enables an easy transition into large-format or outdoor printing for entry-level sign shops, photo labs and digital printers thanks to unattended printing with no daily, manual printhead maintenance required, user-replaceable printheads and an embedded spectrophotometer for accurate and consistent color across prints and between printers.

Designed to reduce the impact of printing on the environment, HP Latex Inks produce odorless prints that allow placement in point-of-purchase environments where odor is a concern. HP Latex Inks are non-flammable and non-combustible, do not require hazard warning labels, and contain no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Additionally, no special ventilation equipment(8) or external dryer is required and the HP Designjet L25500 Printer features the ENERGY STAR® rating, which demonstrates compliance with strict energy-efficiency guidelines.

New optimized media selections for HP Designjet L25500 Printer

HP also introduced six Original HP printing materials compatible with HP Latex Ink printers. These additions expand the portfolio to 19 printing materials, including seven recyclable substrates and several PVC-free alternatives.

• HP White Satin Poster Paper – a multi-layer, bright-white coated paper developed to provide durability and excellent image quality for indoor and outdoor advertising applications and can be recycled through commonly available recycling programs
• HP One-view Perforated Adhesive Window Vinyl – a self-adhesive vinyl, designed particularly for window graphics, with a perforated, black back film and white paper liner that provides stunning graphics on one side and a clear view from the other
• HP Air Release Adhesive Gloss Cast Vinyl – a high-performance white cast vinyl with a gloss finish and an opaque permanent adhesive that provides clean removability, laminated outdoor durability up to five years(9) for vehicle and fleet graphics applications and a new HP Performance Warranty when used with the HP Clear Gloss Cast Overlaminate
• HP PVC-free Gloss Adhesive Film – a PVC-free alternative to monomeric vinyl that offers excellent performance in a white film with a gloss-satin finish and a permanent, repositionable adhesive for strong adhesion and outdoor durability as well as glass and all-purpose cleaner rub resistance
• HP PVC-free Wall Paper – a flame retardant, strippable, pre-pasted wall paper with an ultra-smooth finish that provides vivid color, high-definition detail for close viewing and an odor-free alternative to PVC for wall murals and creative designs; provides up to 20 years display permanence indoors, away from direct sun; easy-to-install paper also tears off easily and comes with an HP warranty for clean removal
• HP Light Textile Display Banner – a PVC-free, flame-retardant, uncoated polyester textile banner material that delivers long-lasting indoor image quality, dimensional stability during printing and is recyclable through the HP Large-format Media take-back program

HP also expanded the HP Planet Partners program to include the HP Large-format Media take-back program in the United States and select countries in Europe, allowing customers to easily return and recycle prints produced with HP Latex Inks on HP recyclable media as well as Original HP 789 Latex Designjet Ink Cartridges and Printheads at no additional cost. Customers simply pack up the used media and HP pays the shipping charges and handles sorting and recycling.

The HP Designjet L25500 Printer will be demonstrated publicly for the first time in the HP booth in Hall 8A G20 at VISCOM Germany in Dusseldorf, Oct. 1-3, and is expected to begin shipping this year and be available worldwide in early 2010.

More information is available at:

HP Latex Printing Technologies: www.hp.com/go/hp_latex_printing_technologies
HP Designjet L25500 Printer: www.hp.com/go/designjetL25500
HP large-format printing supplies and materials: www.hp.com/go/designjet/supplies
HP Large-format Media take-back program: www.hp.com/recycle
HP Eco Solutions program: www.hp.com/ecosolutions