Today at the (ISA) International Sign Expo 2012, HP demonstrated its industry-leading portfolio of solutions for the sign and display market, helping print service providers (PSPs) increase application versatility and productivity to grow their businesses.
Highlights include:

• The North American debut of the newest additions to the HP Latex Printing Technology portfolio, the 104-inch HP Designjet L28500 Printer and the 61-inch HP Designjet L26500 Printer that address a wide variety of applications, including textiles.⁽¹⁾
• The first U.S. installation of the HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press at VistaCraft, following several HP Scitex FB7500 Industrial Press upgrades by existing customers, demonstrating momentum in the market transition from analog to digital printing technologies.

“With more than 10,000 Latex Ink systems and 100 HP Scitex FB7600 and FB7500 Industrial Pressesinstalled worldwide, HP is clearly delivering solutions that address our customers’ most pressing large-format needs,” said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Graphics Solutions Business – Americas, HP. “By taking part in the fast-paced solvent to Latex and analog to digital transitions, HP customers can take advantage of higher value pages to further grow their businesses.” ⁽²⁾

New HP Latex Ink printers offer improved versatility, durability
HP recently introduced the HP Designjet L28500 and L26500 Printers, capable of handling a broader range of indoor and outdoor signage applications with better durability than eco-solvent inks. ⁽³⁾ The HP Designjet L28500 Printer delivers speeds up to 70 percent faster ⁽⁴⁾ than the HP Designjet L25500 Printer, increasing productivity for PSPs, including exhibition builders, sign shops and vehicle graphics suppliers. The HP Designjet L26500 Printer is ideal for general commercial printers interested in expanding their offerings with new large-format applications, including textiles, wall coverings and fine art reproductions.

The new devices produce 1,200-dpi output that dries inside the printer, boosting productivity for double-sided print jobs and allowing immediate finishing or use.⁽⁵⁾ With new soft signage printing capabilities, customers can produce applications from retail banners to tradeshow signs and interior décor, which are easy to fold and pack, inexpensive to ship, simple to hang and have improved durability outdoors.⁽⁶⁾  Both systems feature the new HP 792 Latex Inks and are compatible with more than 500 media options.

HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press makes its mark on U.S. soil
Following its October introduction, Columbus, Ga.-based VistaCraft, a full-service print shop specializing in point-of-purchase (POP) graphics, is the first U.S. customer to install the HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press. Production began in early February with the new HP digital technology helping to replace four analog machines.

“In order to be competitive in today’s industrial market, we decided a significant digital investment in cutting edge technology was needed to jump start our business,” said Mark Watson, general manager, VistaCraft. “You can literally see the savings coming off the press, with the ability to stop a project, begin another and then jump back to the original job. Analog printing does not cost-effectively provide that kind of flexibility.”

According to Watson, VistaCraft had not made any capital investments for years, resulting in slow business growth and the loss of one of its most valuable customers. The shop was being outpaced by competitors due to its outdated analog equipment, leading VistaCraft to purchase the HP Scitex press.

VistaCraft has already expanded an existing customer’s volume of business, taking on more capacity for a large project than was previously possible. Using the HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press, which reaches maximum speeds up to 5,380 ft²/hr, the shop reduced labor and met a faster turnaround time.

“Without the productivity features of the new HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press, we would not have been able to make this project happen,” said Watson.

HP at ISA International Sign Expo 2012
In booth 420, HP is showcasing a variety of solutions from its sign and display portfolio, including the HP Designjet L28500 and L26500 Printers and the HP Scitex FB7600, LX850, XP5500 and FB700 Industrial Printers and Presses. HP is also showing end-to-end workflow solutions compatible with HP devices and a range of applications printed with HP technologies.

PSPs may finance the HP Designjet L28500 and L26500 Printers and the HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press using HP Financial Services, the company’s leasing and life cycle asset management services subsidiary. By choosing HP Financial Services, PSPs receive competitive rates and flexible terms, and are able to preserve capital.

More information about HP large-format sign and display solutions is available at www.hp.com/go/signanddisplay, on YouTube at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts and through the HP Graphic Arts Twitter Feed, www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.

⁽¹⁾ For best results, print on media that does not let the ink trespass onto the printer. Performance may vary depending on media. Users should consult their media supplier for compatibility details.
⁽²⁾ Per internal HP IDC Q4 2011reports.
⁽³⁾ Durability comparison based on testing of representative eco-solvent inks including eco-sol Max inks on Avery SA vinyl for display permanence and scratch, rub/abrasion and chemical resistance. HP image permanence and scratch, smudge and water resistance estimates by HP Image Permanence Lab on a range of media including HP printing materials. Additional information available at www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence.
⁽⁴⁾ The HP Designjet L28500 Printer achieves speeds up to 70 percent faster than the HP Designjet L26500 and L25500 Printers.
⁽⁵⁾ For best results use media options intended for double-sided printing.
⁽⁶⁾ The durability with HP 792 Latex Designjet Inks improves the suitability of HP Latex Inks for textile applications. However, HP recommends testing the media before using it for outdoor applications.