In February 2021, HP announced the HP Latex 700 and 800 series of wide-format roll-to-roll printers for print-service providers who want to diversify their offerings, sharpen their sustainability edge, and meet more challenging customer needs.
After a year of business disruption across the large-format industry, the HP Latex 700 and 800 series bring features that enable print-service providers to be more agile, tackle ambitious projects, and take on higher value work. Two models the 700W and 800W include white ink for applications such as window graphics and day/night backlit graphics. All four machines in the series can produce vehicle graphics, canvas, polyester and cotton fabrics, and wallcoverings for full room installation.
“The new Latex 700 and 800 portfolio will allow PSPs to win big by navigating customer challenges in the next normal and embracing more ambitious projects — safe in the knowledge their work will deliver,” said Guayante Sanmartin, General Manager, Large Format Business, HP. “When you think about HP Latex, imagine the unique ability to say yes to every customer request, regardless of fast-changing schedule or application demands. Help meet deadlines with undisputable operator and environmental safety. With HP Latex, every signage and decor decision becomes a sustainable one.”
All four models can handle media rolls from 10 to 64 inches wide, including indoor and outdoor banner materials, self-adhesive vinyls, films, fabrics, papers, wall coverings, canvas, synthetic papers, mesh, and textiles (with the textile kit accessory).
The four models in the latex 700/800 series are differentiated by the size of the ink cartridges they hold, the ability to print white ink, and higher productivity levels.
HP Latex 700: One-liter ink cartridges,
High-Speed (4-pass) Print Mode for Outdoor Graphics: 334 sq ft/hr.
HP Latex 700W: One-liter ink cartridges, plus White ink.
Additional print modes include: White Spot (60%), White Overflood (60%), White Underflood (100%) and 3-layer Day/Night backlit graphics
The 800 series printers include updated printheads with more nozzles and larger curing units. The 800-series printers offer up to 50% higher productivity levels compared to previous HP Latex roll-to-roll printers.
HP Latex 800: Three-liter ink cartridges,
High-Speed (4-pass) Print Mode for Outdoor Graphics: 388 sq. ft./hr.
HP Latex 800W: Three-liter ink cartridges, plus White Ink.
Additional print modes include: White Spot (60%), White Overflood (60%), White Underflood (100%) and 3-layer Day/Night backlit graphics
Each HP Latex printing system is designed for sustainable impact through printer and cartridge materials, ink chemistry, printer operation, the print itself, the print display, and the product end of life.
Inks
According to an HP technical white paper, the HP Latex 700 and 800 printers use fourth-generation Latex inks that contain up to 65% water and provide advantages across the lifecycle compared to eco-solvent, solvent, UV-curable, and UV-gel inks.
HP Latex Inks provide outdoor durability and versatility across all common media types used in sign and display applications. The inks produce odorless prints, with low maintenance requirements, and reduced environmental impact compared to solvent or UV-curable inks.
No special ventilation is required with HP inks and they contain no Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). Printing with HP Latex inks avoids problematic reactive monomer chemistry and and ozone generation associated with UV printing.
With each new generation of HP Latex printing system, HP is committed to addressing current — and anticipated — environmental requirements. The HP Inks are UL GREENGUARD GOLD certified for low chemical emissions into indoor air during product usage. HP Latex inks are certified at the highest level, meaning the wallpaper print with HP Latex inks can be applied to all four walls in a typical office or classroom setting.
The newest HP Latex inks also are UL ECOLOGO certified for reduced environmental impact.
The HP Latex 700 and 800 printers use 8 printheads to deliver six colors of ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan, and Light Magenta) plus a Latex Optimizer and a Clear Overcoat.
HP Latex 700W and Latex 800W printers use 10 printheads with the same six colors. optimizer, and clearcoat and two printheads with White ink. The white ink offers a 91% opacity level and doesn’t yellow over time.
Standardized tests conducted in May 2020 on black opaque self-adhesive vinyl revealed that the HP 839 White latex ink cartridge achieved the whitest white compared to the white inks on competitive solvent and UV printers in the under $50,000 price range.
The inks for these four printers are supplied in the HP Eco Carton, a cartridge made with a cardboard material that reduces the use of plastic by 80%. The HP Eco-Carton cardboard container can be recycled through local recycling streams. The ink bag and printhead can be recycled through the free HP Planet Partners program.
Other Features
Smart front panel includes a built-in job queue that can store up to 100 jobs. This makes it faster and easier to process reprints of previous jobs.
Raiseable curing module makes it easier to load new rolls of media onto the printer.
Compatible with HP’s updated Latex Print and Cut Devices. The Latex 700 and 700W printers can be directly connected to the newest models of the HP Latex Print and Cut solutions. The HP 800 and 800W will require a RIP upgrade for direct connectivity. HP Latex printer/cutters solutions combine an HP Latex printer with a Graphtec vinyl cutter for the quick production of contour-cut stickers, labels, wall decals, floor graphics, window graphics, and other adhesive-backed materials.
Print OS
The HP Print OS app enables you to control your print operations from wherever you happen to be. You can access and download job information, receive notifications of issues that prevent the equipment from operating, and monitor ink levels.
HP Inc.
HP Inc. was recognized as one of the 2020 Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the world. By working closely with partners and customers, HP manages each component in the printing system (printer, inks, printheads, and media) to provide end-to-end large-format printing systems that enable more comfortable and welcoming operations and strive to achieve a world without waste.
On February 11, 2021 HP Inc. unveiled HP Amplify™ Impact, an industry-first partner assessment, resource and training program aimed at driving meaningful change across its three Sustainable Impact pillars: Planet, People, and Community. Partners that pledge to join the HP Amplify Impact program will work with HP to assess their own practices while tapping into the company’s extensive investments and initiatives.
HP announced the HP Latex February 2, 2021