PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 24, 2008 – HP today announced that its expanded portfolio of innovative large-format printing solutions led to a highly successful exhibition for the company at SGIA '08, held in Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 15–18.

A significant number of purchase contracts were completed at the show, demonstrating the high demand for HP's new products, including the HP Scitex FB7500 Printer, HP Scitex FB950 Printer, HP Scitex TJ8550 Printer and the HP Designjet L65500 Printer. The HP stand featured the industry's broadest portfolio of large-format printing technologies and solutions and was one of the largest booths at the exposition.

In addition to the sales momentum HP gained at the show, HP customers also were very successful at SGIA. Notably, HP Scitex customer Graphic Tech's family of companies won an André Schellenberg Award of Excellence and a People's Choice Award in the SGIA Golden Image Awards for projects created on an HP Scitex TJ8500.

"SGIA '08 exceeded our expectations for demonstrating HP's strength in the large-format market and our broad range of end-to-end solutions," said Santiago Morera, vice president and general manager, Large Format Printing Business, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. "I continue to be impressed with our customers' innovation and creativity in creating exciting new digital applications, as demonstrated by Graphic Tech's outstanding performance in the Golden Image Awards."

High demand for new HP solutions

Production applications from the HP large-format printing business shown at SGIA '08 featured high-quality, highly productive printing of indoor and outdoor signage and displays, professional photography and fine art. With a portfolio that now includes products from the acquired firm MacDermid ColorSpan and assets acquired from NUR Macroprinters, HP has the industry's broadest offering of large-format printing solutions.

Continuing the momentum established at drupa, HP completed a significant number of deals, including Portland Color and Stella Color that each purchased an HP Designjet L65500 Printer; Tyrrell Tech Inc., which purchased an HP Scitex FB950 Printer; and Houston Sign Company, which purchased an HP Scitex FB6100 Printer. HP also generated a large number of sales leads.

The new HP Scitex FB7500 Printer, a versatile, UV-flatbed printer that delivers the highest productivity of digital flatbed printers in its price class,(1) and the HP Designjet L65500 Printer featuring HP Latex Ink Technology were two of the top draws in terms of traffic among the large-format products in the HP booth and received significant interest from buyers.

HP customer success in Golden Image Awards

HP Scitex customer Graphic Tech's family of companies received an unprecedented 18 SGIA Golden Image Awards, including two André Schellenberg Awards of Excellence and the People's Choice Award. Competing against more than 600 entries, Graphic Tech and its family companies used the HP Scitex TJ8500 Printer to produce an André Schellenberg Award-winning entry in the Decals/Pressure Sensitive category and a poster that won the People's Choice Award.

Announced onsite at the Golden Image gallery, the Golden Image Award winners were selected for showcasing the most innovative and creative applications in each of 41 categories of applications. The André Schellenberg Awards of Excellence are presented to print service providers (PSPs) that represent the best work produced in digital printing; the People's Choice Award is given to a single application entry and is voted on by show attendees.

"We are thrilled to be the most decorated company at SGIA with 18 Golden Image Awards, two André Schellenberg awards and the coveted People's Choice Award," said Jim Blee, chief operations officer, Graphic Tech. "With the HP Scitex TJ8500 Printer, we were able to produce vivid, high-quality applications that exceeded the expectations of our customers and caught the eye of the SGIA judges."

HP's dedication to reducing the environmental impact of printing

HP's product showcase demonstrated at SGIA '08 featured a full range of digital solutions designed to help PSPs profitably grow their businesses while reducing the total impact of their printing on the environment, including three HP Scitex printers that use UV-curable inks and the HP Designjet L65500 Printer featuring water-based HP Latex Inks.

HP also partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant one tree for each lead captured at the HP booth during the show. As a result, HP will plant more than 1,100 trees.

"HP's commitment to giving back to the environment will have a lasting impact on our nation's forests," said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive, Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees provide habitats for wildlife, clean the air we breathe and protect our waterways. Because of HP's concern for the environment, they are helping to restore our nation's forests for generations to come."