HP recently announced the HP Designjet Z6200 Photo Printer series with HP Vivid Photo Inks, delivering, as the company explains, “high-quality output and the highest speeds of large-format printers in its price class.” Designed with photo labs in mind, the HP Designjet Z6200 Photo Printer series delivers photo-quality prints with a resolution of 2,400 dots per image (dpi) and versatility for indoor applications from line drawings to photographic output to signage. It is also 50 percent faster than its predecessor, the HP Designjet Z6100 Printer, with speeds up to 1,500 square feet per hour.
The new HP Vivid Photo Inks offer improved scratch resistance, gloss levels and gloss uniformity and a wider color gamut with deeper blacks than previous HP inks. The printer's eight-ink printing system also features HP Chromatic Red ink, which enables up to 88 percent PANTONE® coverage and greater ink efficiency with the ability to print the same output using up to 44 percent less ink than preceding HP technologies. www.hp.com
Harman Direct Positive Paper
Harman technology Limited, the manufacturer of ILFORD monochrome traditional photographic products, has launched a new black-and-white photographic paper—HARMAN DIRECT POSITIVE PAPER. Available in both RC and FB, it has been designed primarily for use in the world's largest working camera, the IMAGO 1:1 walk-in camera.
The giant IMAGO 1:1 camera requires the subject of the photograph to walk into the camera in isolation from the photographer and the new paper acts like a film slide to capture a life-sized portrait directly without the use of a negative. This process means that every portrait is unique, literally capturing the moment much like any pinhole camera. HARMAN DIRECT POSITIVE PAPER was engineered in collaboration with Susanna Kraus, owner of the IMAGO camera and daughter of one of its inventors. www.harmanexpress.com
Epson Ups LF Speed
The latest Stylus Pro photo printers from Epson—the 7890 and 9890—produce the usual high-quality prints Epson always delivers but also come with the promise of doing so at speeds about twice as fast as their predecessors, the company says, “redefining the future of wide-format printing.”
Additional features include automatic media loading, spindle-free roll media loading, a roll media tracking system, front control panel with 2.5-inch color LCD, rotary cutter, fabric catch bin, and printer stand.
Epson also explains that their latest ink-repelling coating and auto nozzle verification technologies “virtually eliminate clogged nozzles.” The 7890 (24-inch) and 9890 (44-inch) are priced at $2,995 and $4,995 respectively. www.epson.com
Durst Glass Printing
Durst has created an innovative and cost-effective solution for digital glass decoration—one that provides flexibility and the ability to print unique patterns or copy natural patterns such as wood and stone, for example. It also provides the ability to offer exceptionally fast turnaround for customers.
Using the Rho 700 flatbed printer and Sol-Gel UV ink by Durst that is organically pigmented and offers high ecological standards, the results are most impressive. Sol-Gel ink actually forms a chemical bond with the glass after heating to 200ËšC to provide unique resistance characteristics. Many tests on Durst's Sol-Gel ink have been conducted and have proven its excellent adhesion, durability and chemical resistance.
As a result of the resistance characteristics of the Sol-Gel inks and digital inkjet technology, the Durst glass decoration system offers new business opportunities for a variety of design applications. It is capable of full-scale production runs of interior fittings for large retail chains or glass furniture, for example, and is also able to produce one-offs and prototypes, such as boutique interiors or temporary outdoor signs. The Sol-Gel ink is available in CMYK with options of white and satinato, for imitation of satin glass. www.durst.com
Printing Premium Sizes at Home
We recently eyed an interesting piece of information from PMA as they stated photo printing through retail and online sources was expected to remain flat this year but growth prospects were expected to return in 2011. The main source of this growth, according to PMA, will be share gain against home printing methods as opposed to the total print market growing.
Looking at this a little closer, for those consumers who print at home making large-format prints has been a big deal as it's the most economical option for larger-sized prints. PMA reports that they (premium-sized prints) are the source of production for about one-third of all prints made by digital camera owners on home printers. This number is double the share of premium-sized prints made at retail and about five times the share of premium print formats ordered online.
Canon LF Print Sample Program
Canon recently announced the LUCIA EX Print Sample Request Program, a service giving consumers the opportunity to receive 8.5-inch by 11-inch sample photographs printed on the new Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8300/6350/6300 large-format printers, prior to purchasing the device. Through the program, customers will receive three printed images captured by Canon Explorer of Light photographers, which demonstrate the high-quality printing capabilities of the imagePROGRAF 12-Color series and new LUCIA EX ink set.
Said Rich Reamer, Director of Product Marketing, Large Format, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A., “By providing consumers with images created by Canon Explorers of Light, we can demonstrate the dynamic color range and quality of Canon's large-format printers and empower consumers to make an educated purchase decision.”
To request a print sample, visit www.usa.canon.com/ipfprintsample.
