Latest HP Designjets set new price and performance point for the Middle East printing industry
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, February 7, 2006 - HP Middle East today announced the new HP Designjet large-format digital printers for the durable graphics production printing market at Sign and Graphic Imaging 2006. The Designjet 8000s and 9000s Printer series open new business opportunities for the region's print service providers (PSPs). The printers will help foster the adoption of durable digital printing technologies for fast and easy production of signs, banners, vehicle graphics, POP/POS, tradeshow signs and displays, window graphics, flags and decals.
As part of a forward looking and long-term strategy from HP, the Designjet 9000, showcased for the first time globally at the exhibition and targeted at customers with high print capacity demands, is available from March, while the Designjet 8000 for lower capacity printing, will be commercially introduced later this year.
The new six-colour HP Designjet models make low-solvent printing safe, productive and easy and are the first products to be developed through HP's partnership with Seiko I Infotech. With print speeds of up to 20 m2/h, PSPs will be able to provide a faster response time to their customers, allowing them to win and fulfill more print jobs. In addition to the fast print speeds, users will appreciate the rich and vivid colors - up to 720 x 720 dpi on low-cost uncoated substrates and prints that will resist fading for at least three years even without lamination.1
HP provides a one-stop-shop for PSPs, offering printers, accessories, Raster Image Processors (RIPs)2, dedicated supplies, media and support services. This new series of low-solvent based printers along with accessories, consumables and compatible substrates will be distributed by resellers covering most of the countries in EMEA. HP implemented a rigorous qualification process to identify and certify only a few resellers per country to ensure the new products are installed, maintained and supported by trained and skilled resellers.
First customer already on board
These benefits are already attracting PSPs to the new HP Designjets. Propaganda Prints, a PSP based in Barcelona, has tested the new HP Designjet 9000s with excellent results and will be using the printer to grow its business.
"HP's new low solvent solution adds outdoor graphics applications to our business, greatly reducing our production costs. Only HP could give us the confidence and peace of mind to safely and successfully expand into this field," said Arnau Sallent, general manager of Propaganda Prints.
New price points and productivity accelerating shift from analogue to digital
The HP Designjet 8000s and 9000s Printer series are designed to accelerate the industry-wide transformation from analogue to digital in the large-format graphics marketplace. These high-performing, cost-effective solutions are meeting the growing demands for durable printing technologies that can handle complex graphical content yet operate in a highly competitive pricing market.
With the HP Designjet 9000s Printer series, PSPs can drastically reduce response times and increase print capacity. The HP Designjet 9000s Printer series is the fastest printer in its class with speeds of up to 20 m2/h. Its high print speeds and low running costs increase the break-even point for PSPs, creating a huge competitive advantage when competing with screen printers. Additional benefits of the 64 inch (1626 mm) wide production device include:
Boosted productivity using six heavy duty Piezo printheads with a total of 3,072 nozzles
Low running costs, especially when compared to screen printing
Unattended printing with the Take Up Reel which rolls up printouts automatically
Six large ink cartridges with a capacity of 1000ml each containing innovative HP low-solvent ink
"On the fly" replacement of ink cartridges for printing without interruption
New colorants in HP's low-solvent inks for superior colour gamut1 and dense area fills produce prints that will resist fading for up to three years with no need for lamination1
HP Smart printing technology, an interactive system which optimises print quality and reliability and monitors ink levels, making HP's printing supplies easy to use and manage
Optional high-speed dryer for prints that are ready for immediate finishing
An optional HP Air Purifier System for clean and safe everyday printer operation
Fast data transmission rates and easy-to-use USB 2.0 connectivity
By offering low-price printing without compromising speed, the HP Designjet 8000s Printer series will aim to set a new price/performance point for the industry when it is made available later this year. Producing a wide variety of signs and banners, users will be able to print up to 10 square meters of vivid, long-lasting color output per hour. The HP Designjet 8000s Printer series is a comprehensive 64 inch (1626 mm) wide solution which includes an in-the-box RIP2, HP support, and other accessories which simplify the implementation process. Key advantages of the HP Designjet 8000s Printer series include:
Enhanced productivity with six 500ml HP low-solvent ink cartridges and heavy-duty Piezo printheads with a total of 1,524 nozzles
Low ink consumption1 and low cost of operation with Piezo technology which prints directly on economical uncoated media, producing images that resist fading for up to three years without lamination1
Outstanding image quality at 720 x 720 dpi with vivid and dense colours and a superior colour gamut1 thanks to the new colorants in HP's low-solvent inks
Unattended printing using the optional heavy duty Take Up Reel system which rolls up printouts automatically
HP Smart printing technology, an interactive system which optimises print quality and reliability and monitors ink levels, making HP's printing supplies easy to use and manage
Optional high-speed dryer for prints that are ready for immediate finishing
Optional HP Air Purifier System, which outperforms other systems in its ability to reduce workplace volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and ensures clean and safe day-to-day printer operation.3 (Please refer to HP's Safety Works backgrounder for more details on VOCs)
New ink and media supplies increase reliability and productivity
Both the HP Designjet 8000s and 9000s Printer series will feature a new low-solvent printing system which includes innovative low-solvent ink formulations, ink cartridges, cleaning and maintenance kits, and printing material. All elements are designed and tested together with HP Designjet products for reliable performance.
To make low-solvent printing safe and easy, HP provides detailed guidelines to help users achieve the safe handling and use of the HP low-solvent ink printing system. With HP Smart printing technology4, which monitors status and confirms correct installation, HP supplies are easy to use and manage. HP low-solvent inks also produce a wider colour gamut for more vivid outputs. Durable prints resist fading for three years even without lamination1 and are scratch, smear and crack-resistant.
HP is also introducing a variety of new media specifically created to work with the low-solvent inks and the HP Designjet 8000s and 9000s Printer series. Addressing the vast opportunities in the durable graphics production printing markets, HP's new portfolio of media features durable best-in-class image quality, superior dependability, enhanced productivity, and HP custom media profiles for superior image quality and productivity.
Meeting a range of applications at competitive prices, the new media includes:
HP Universal Scrim Banner
HP Premium Scrim Banner
HP Premium Self-adhesive Vinyl
HP Premium Backlit Film
HP Universal Photo-realistic Paper
-Ends-
About Propaganda Prints
Propaganda (www.propagandaprints.com) is a renowned PSP based in Barcelona, Spain. The company has provided large format printing services from more than 11 years. The wide range of production devices was extended by the adoption of HP Indigo digital offset press in 2005.
About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended Oct. 31, 2005, HP revenue totaled $86.7 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.
1 Based on internal HP testing, specific test data will be available at product introduction
2 Onyx SignEZ v2.0 comes as standard with HP Designjet 8000sr and HP Designjet 8000sf
3 Based on internal HP testing. Independent testing in progress, results available by February 2006
4 Using genuine HP supplies ensures availability of all HP printing features
5 Prices stated are average Manufacturer's Recommended Selling Prices (MRSPs) excluding VAT. These prices are subject to change and actual prices may vary
© Press Release 2006
