HP unveils PageWide XL series printers

HP introduced a new portfolio of HP PageWide (PW) XL printers with the launch of HP PW XL 8000 printer in Delhi on 14 October 2015. The newly launched wide format printer will enable reprographic houses, print service providers, enterprise central reprographic departments and print corners to produce computer-aided design drawings, geographic information system maps, point- of-sale applications and posters.

21 Oct 2015 | By PrintWeek India

Devang Karia, country manager, large-format design, PPS, HP India, said, “Our large-format printing customers are continually exploring ways to improve productivity, streamline workflow and reduce costs. HP focus has always been on customer intimacy, technology innovation and market expansion.”

The HP PW XL 8000 printer offers high-end production printing at speeds up to 30A1-size prints per minute as well as two 775 ml ink cartridges per colour with automatic switching and up to six rolls and capable of handling media of more than 3,900 ft.

During the event, HP also launched SmartStream software for PW XL series printers, PW XL printer portfolio, and HP PW XL substrate portfolio.

Karia added, “The HP SmartStream software for PW XL printers reduces time spent preparing and processing jobs by 50%. It also reduces reprints with native PDF management powered by Adobe PDF print engine3 and offers a true colour print preview with interactive HP crystal preview technology to turn operator efficiency into operating profit.”

Among other new printers from HP, XL 5000 will be available from December 2015 for mid-level volume and PW XL 4500 and PW XL 4000 for the low-level volume from February 2016.

In the substrate, the company introduced HP universal bond paper for technical applications, HP production matte polypropylene to produce roll-up banners, and HP production matte, gloss, and satin poster papers for point-of-sale applications and poster production.

A portfolio for different segments

Karia said the HP PW XL 8000 printer with the eight modules includes a stationary 40-inch print bar that spans the whole printing width and gives the drop size of 12 picoliters.

Further, the company, with HP PW XL pigment ink, is looking to increase print quality with crisp lines, fine detail and smooth grayscales that are better compared to LED prints. The pigment ink, Karia said will provide dark blacks and vivid colours and longevity in terms of water resistance, moisture and fade resistance.

“This newly launched printer will provide a platform to address the needs of different customers, including retail and indoor branding, in addition to our customer base of architecture, engineering and construction firms,” Karia added.

Though it is not possible to print specific colour with this four-colour printer, the usage of pigment ink offers the user a range of selection from wide colour gamut, Karia said.

On the reason why HP associated itself with other companies for the substrate, Karia said the company does not want its customers to restrict themselves for the media portfolio they have. “Trying to address a bigger market, we want our customers to have a choice for selecting substrate they need,” he concluded.