HP has announced upgrades, certifications and workflow solutions for its large-format sign and display portfolio, helping print service providers (PSPs) grow their businesses and explore new markets. In recent years, many large-format print shops have transformed their business models, offering new high-value applications to avoid commoditization. This transformation has been driven by technology advances that help PSPs move beyond sign and display to a diverse range of applications. No matter the market, clients increasingly demand high-quality output with faster turnaround times, requiring PSPs to embrace the flexibility and versatility of digital to remain successful.
New varnish ink for HP Scitex Enhanced Color Pack
Helping PSPs create high-value retail and corrugated applications to help boost their bottom line, the HP FB225 Scitex Varnish Ink is the latest ink option introduced for the HP Scitex FB7500/7600 Enhanced Color Pack.
The new ink allows HP Scitex FB7500/FB7600 Industrial Press owners to add spot or full varnish, create embossed text and images and well expand the color gamut. The integrated varnish ink helps protect against rubbing, scratches and water damage while creating cost and workflow efficiencies.
Enhancements for higher-value latex applications
Helping PSPs capture share of the growing custom wall décor market, the HP WallArt Solution now includes a feature to create canvas projects. This easy-to-use, cloud-based Web service provides print-ready files and step-by-step installation instructions, allowing PSPs to design themselves or work with customers through the cloud to produce customized interior décor applications, including mounted canvas prints and wall coverings.
Also expanding interior décor options, HP has achieved the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) F793-Type II classification for wall coverings using HP Latex 792 or 610 Inks with DreamScape Matte Wall covering and Marabu ClearShield® Satin LL Liquid Clear Coat. One of the most rigorous wall covering testing available, this combination received ASTM F793-Type II certification for scrubbability, durability and flame spread, among other relevant characteristics. With this level of certification, PSPs using HP Latex printers can reach interior décor customers in new markets, such as commercial properties held to federal certification standards.
The 3M™ MCS™ Warranty, widely recognized as the industry’s most comprehensive finished graphics warranty, is now available for HP Latex 881 Inks and the HP Latex 3000 Printer when using approved 3M films. Combining the quality and flexibility of HP Latex Inks with the 3M™ MCS™ Warranty, which covers fading, cracking and peeling, the new offering helps PSPs secure business with discerning vehicle and fleet graphics customers without paying a premium for specialty inks.
Additionally, HP is introducing two new canvas substrates, HP Premium Satin Canvas and HP Everyday Satin Canvas, producing vivid colors, sharp details and broadening the color gamut. Ideal for interior décor and fine art applications, both canvas substrates are easy to handle for fast post-production finishing. For retail signage and backlit displays, the new heavyweight HP Backlit Polyester Film achieves vibrant colors and denser blacks with better scratch resistance, as well as improved durability than previous backlit solutions.
New workflow offerings
Increasing production efficiencies, the HP SmartStream Production Analyzer 2.0 for HP Scitex Industrial Presses includes improvements to the job dashboard and job summary report, as well as the ability to set productivity targets. With a more detailed dashboard interface, operators can record notes, giving production managers a complete picture of job production. The job report summary groups all related projects together to be viewed and exported to management information systems software for further analysis.
Compatible with HP Latex and Scitex printers and presses, the HP Scitex Caldera GrandRIP+ Software solution now includes EasyMedia Module, Caldera’s integrated International Color Consortium (ICC) profile builder based on Xrite i1Prism V2 technology. Caldera EasyMEDIA allows users to create ICC profiles, creating a smoother workflow with enhanced color consistency across output.