New solutions for large-format print providers introduced at SGIA Expo 2013.

Applications such as this can be produced with the HP WallArt Solution, which now includes a feature to create canvas projectsHP announced upgrades, certifications and workflow solutions for its large-format sign and display portfolio at SGIA Expo 2013, which was held in Orlando, Florida, USA, 23-25th October. The company said that the purpose of all this was to help print service providers (PSPs) grow their businesses and explore new markets.

In recent years, many large-format print shops have transformed their business models, offering new high-value applications and seeking to avoid commoditisation, where products are sold on the basis of price and not brand, thus reducing margins, resulting in a total lack of meaningful differentiation in manufactured goods.

HP maintains this transformation has been driven by technology advances that help PSPs move beyond sign and display to a diverse range of applications. No matter the market, clients increasingly demand high-quality output with faster turnaround times, requiring PSPs to embrace the flexibility and versatility of digital to remain successful.

"Large-format PSPs are working in a changing marketplace, challenging them to step outside of their application comfort zone to meet client demand," said Xavier Garcia, vice president and general manager, Large-Format Sign and Display Division, HP. "HP introduced a variety of new offerings at SGIA to help our customers meet production demands, while also empowering them to confidently move into high-value markets, such as retail, interior décor and fleet graphics."

New varnish ink for HP Scitex Enhanced Color Pack

To help PSPs create high-value retail and corrugated applications to help boost their bottom line, the HP FB225 Scitex Varnish Ink is the latest ink option introduced for the HP Scitex FB7500/7600 Enhanced Color Pack.

The new ink allows HP Scitex FB7500/FB7600 Industrial Press owners to add spot or full varnish, create embossed text and images, as well as expand the colour gamut. Additionally, the integrated varnish ink helps protect against rubbing, scratches and water damage while creating cost and workflow efficiencies. The HP FB225 Varnish Scitex Ink is expected to be available worldwide on 1st November.

"The HP FB225 Scitex Varnish Ink allows us to offer a unique option to our customers, further differentiating our business from the competition," said Junior Allasia, head of digital printing, Ondalba Group. "Since adding the varnish ink to our HP Scitex FB7600 in mid-August, the increased quality has already helped us win new clients that previously used offset. We fully expect to win even more business as a result of our new ink capabilities."

Enhancements, certifications for higher-value Latex applications

The new HP FB225 Scitex Varnish Ink allows HP Scitex FB7500,FB7600 Industrial Press owners to add spot or full varnish, create embossed text and images as well as expand the colour gamutHP also pushed a new software service to help PSPs capture a share of the growing custom wall décor market. The HP WallArt Solution now includes a feature to create canvas projects. This is a cloud-based web service which provides print-ready files and step-by-step installation instructions, allowing PSPs to design themselves or work with customers through the cloud to produce customised interior décor applications, including mounted canvas prints and wallcoverings.

The 3M™ MCS™ Warranty, widely recognised as the industry's most comprehensive finished graphics warranty, is now available for HP Latex 881 Inks and the HP Latex 3000 Printer when using approved 3M films. HP believes it’s this combination of the quality and flexibility of HP Latex Inks with the 3MTM MCSTM Warranty, which covers fading, cracking and peeling that is a new offering to help’s PSPs secure business with discerning vehicle and fleet graphics customers without paying a premium for specialty inks.

Additionally, HP introduced two new canvas substrates, HP Premium Satin Canvas and HP Everyday Satin Canvas, both of which are suitable for interior décor and fine art applications. For retail signage and backlit displays, HP announced a new heavyweight HP Backlit Polyester Film which it claim’s will achieve vibrant colours and denser blacks with better scratch resistance, as well as improved durability than previous backlit solutions. Designed for HP Latex printers, these expanded media options are now available worldwide through licensing partner Brand Management Group.

New workflow offerings for seamless, end-to-end production

With an eye on increasing production efficiencies, the HP SmartStream Production Analyzer 2.0 for HP Scitex Industrial Presses includes improvements to the job dashboard and job summary report, as well as the ability to set productivity targets. With a more detailed dashboard interface, operators can record notes, giving production managers a complete picture of job production. Additionally, the job report summary groups all related projects together to be viewed and exported to management information systems software for further analysis.

Compatible with HP Latex and Scitex printers and presses, the HP Scitex Caldera GrandRIP+ Software solution now includes EasyMedia Module, Caldera's integrated International Color Consortium (ICC) profile builder based on Xrite i1Prism V2 technology. Caldera EasyMEDIA allows users to create ICC profiles, creating a smoother workflow with enhanced colour consistency across output.

Additional information about HP large-format sign and display solutions is available at www.hp.com/go/signanddisplay

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