HP expands large format range for APAC markets

HP expanded its portfolio of large-format printers with two next-generation digital printers - the HP Latex 3000 Printer and the HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press driven by HP Scitex High Dynamic Range (HDR) Printing Technology -- for the Asia Pacific Region on June 24, 2013 at Beijing, China. The launch was part of the company's first ever World Tour.  During the launch of the portfolio, HP also announced the rebranding of its HP Designjet and Scitex latex printers and supplies. The new sub-brand for these offerings is HP Latex, which, according to the company, points to the strategic importance of latex to the HP Large Format Graphics portfolio.

Talking about the company's move, Gido van Praag, Vice President and General Manager, Graphic Solutions Business at HP Asia Pacific and Japan, said, "Industrial printing companies are facing ever shrinking timelines and tighter budgets for projects. Increasingly many find themselves taking on more short print runs as buyers look to generate greater marketing impact.”

He further added speaking on the benefits that HP customers can now enjoy, "The new large-format printing technologies that we are announcing will give our customers a unique advantage to cost-effectively address these challenges and expand on their business with new levels of productivity, quality and application versatility.”

The new HP Latex 3000 Printer

According to the company, the new HP Latex 3000 Printer delivers the high quality and versatility of Latex to the industrial printing market, creating a competitive advantage for high-volume printing companies. HP has already logged in early orders from China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand for the new Latex printer.

HP Latex Printing Technologies were introduced in 2008 as a water-based alternative to solvent ink technologies. Since then, as per the estimates cited by the company, more than 15,000 HP Latex printers have been shipped worldwide and more than 100 million square meters have been printed with HP Latex Inks. HP expects these numbers to triple by 2016, with the number of latex-printed pages growing rapidly while the number of solvent-printed pages simultaneously declines by as much as 33 percent.

The printer offers broader media versatility, including heat-sensitive substrates, with the HP Latex Optimizer. Its new ink solution ensures consistent image quality at high speeds as well as efficient curing at lower temperatures and with less energy than previous HP Latex solutions. Third-generation HP 881 Latex Inks also provide a scratch resistance comparable to hard-solvent inks on certain substrates, making them ideal for applications including retail displays, outdoor advertising, vehicle graphics and interior décor.

HP Scitex FB10000

The new HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press delivers high quality and industrial productivity at the same time with dynamic dot size control. Using HDR printing technology, the HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press combines 16 gray-level printing with the ability to produce 1,000 B1 sheets in less than two hours. These features let printing companies achieve the quality and speed required by traditional offset applications while addressing growing demand for short runs, quick turnarounds and variable content.

According to the company, with the HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press, printing companies can now meet peak demand with print capacity up to 625 m2/hour)  and direct-to-board printing. The HP Latex 3000 Printer is expected to be available in the Asia Pacific region by August 15, 2013 and the HP Scitex FB10000 by November 1st, 2013.