Latex Printing: Hope or Hype?
Durable aqueous printers—i.e. latex printers— promise high quality and durable output but without the harmful environmental characteristics of solvent inkjet. Should you invest in this new print technology?
To keep up with increasing demand, the firm also purchased two Designjet L26500 printers, the new 61-inch-wide model – one for each location. “The numbers supported our expansion,” Morris explained. “The printers have accounting cost calculator built in,” making it painless and easy to track ink and media costs for each job. Big Print Shop produces trade show displays, marketing materials, textile printing, adhesive vinyl wraps, and wall coverings, too, offering two-day turn-around on banners and banner stands. Its new Richland shop already is becoming a favorite among local artists who want to produce high-quality reproductions and prints, Morris added.
Also in October 2011, HP introduced the 104-inch-wide Designjet L28500, which delivers speeds up to 70 percent faster than the L25500. The L28500 and L26500 produce 1,200-dpi output with outdoor display permanence of up to three years, unlaminated (five years, laminated). The output also dries inside the printer, boosting productivity for double-sided print jobs and allowing for immediate finishing or use.
Both new systems also feature new HP 792 Latex Designjet Inks, which produce rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self-adhesive vinyl, and offer double-sided printing capabilities with less user intervention and more accurate, automated registration. Compatible with more than 500 media solutions, including the new HP Double-sided HDPE Reinforced Banner material, HP latex inks provide a consistent, reliable performance across a variety of substrates. Ink chemistry and HP’s wide-scan, 12-picoliter thermal printheads combine to produce vivid, durable prints on a variety of coated and uncoated materials, including most low-cost, eco-solvent/low-solvent compatible media.
In addition, HP Latex University started up about 15 months ago as well. The set of training materials and application workshops is led by industry experts. There’s also the Ecosolutions Trained Printing Company program for educating HP Latex Printing Technologies users in sustainability best practices.
“With about 13,500 HP Latex Ink systems installed worldwide, HP is offering a superior alternative to eco-solvent solutions that delivers the versatility and ease of use our customers demand while lowering their impact on the environment,” said Xavier Garcia, vice president and general manager, Large Format Production and Industrial Business, HP. “By allowing customers to cost-effectively print a wide array of new applications and providing the training required to succeed, our updated HP Latex portfolio helps PSPs differentiate their businesses and seize new growth opportunities.”
Mimaki, Ricoh, Too
Mimaki introduced a new latex printer 11 months ago, in February 2012: With a print speed of up to 60 square feet per hour, the JV400-130/160LX delivers maximized performance with a proprietary RasterLink6 RIP, enabling three ink layers in one pass with white and color inks. Exceptional quality is ensured by a minimum dot size of four picoliters (pL) and the ability to use variable sized ink dots for smooth gradation without a grainy appearance.
The OEM showed its new wide-format inkjet printer, equipped with the world’s first white latex ink, at drupa last spring. The firm demonstrated the printing of window graphics and 4-color posters printing using ordinary transparent film or paper, not dedicated inkjet media. It also can print on uncoated substrates.
The JV400-130/160LX supports six colors plus white. Mimaki's white latex ink meets the needs of a range of printing requirements and substrates. It can be used with transparent PET, window decoration, and shatterproof window film. The JV400-130/160LX is equipped with Mimaki's MCT (Mimaki Circulation Technology) ink circulation system that prevents pigment sedimentation for stable ink dispersion and a reduced need for manual ink cartridge circulation processes.
Mimaki latex inks are fast-drying, and the drying process is additionally supported by three heaters integrated into the printing system (pre, print and post heaters) as well as fans that ensure products are ready for processing and finishing as they exit the printer. A low curing temperature of 140 degrees F or below also enables printing on a wider range of heat-sensitive substrates.
This past September, Mimaki showcased the eco-friendly attributes of the JV400-LX system at the EcoPrint Europe Live sustainability show in Berlin, Germany. The revolutionary inkjet printer combines the flexibility of a low CO2 footprint and high-quality printing. Mimaki Latex inks have received full HAPS certification and contain no pollutants. Prints exiting the printer are completely dry and ready for immediate post-processing.
