HP introduced its first latex-ink wide-format printer in 2008, targeting replacement of aggressive solvent printers. Since that time, HP has introduced multiple versions and the market has taken off a growth rates reflecting the beginnings of the aqueous WF industry back in 1992. Mimaki and Ricoh have also introduced latex printers, but their introduction has yet to be reflected commercially in the market.

To gain a better understanding what the opportunity might be for latex printers it may be helpful to take a look back at the life cycle of various wide-format graphic inkjet printer technologies. Aqueous ink wide-format printers were introduced more than 20 years ago, reaching their peak in terms of unit sales after about 14 years. Aggressive solvent printers followed a similar trajectory, but are now almost non-existent in the developed world. Eco-solvent reached a peak in popularity in less than four years, but in fairness their timing coincided with the great economic recession. UV-curable printers, largely due to their $100,000+ acquisition cost, are on a steady but gradual ramp up in unit sales volume. 

The technology that may well follow the closest growth curve to aqueous printers is now latex-ink printer technology. While it doesn’t have the same ramp-up curve (due to lack of other latex printer competitors and increasing average selling prices now hovering above $20,000 per unit), IT Strategies is projecting that latex ink’s future is looking bright.