HP  appointments  drupa 
At a pre-drupa press conference in Spain, Hewlett Packard (HP) unveiled what it claims are technologies and products enabling the graphic arts industry to realise the long-awaited benefits of the digital publishing revolution. Driving this transformation are HP’s comprehensive product portfolio, colour science advancements and workflow solutions, which enable customers to capitalise on efficient on-demand printing, effective real-time targeted marketing and streamlined workflows.

“Enterprise companies and graphic arts professionals are realizing the advantages of digital content creation and production. From in-house proofing to short-run, on-demand printing, digital workflows ultimately drive more profit,” said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP.

“HP’s information technology expertise and the depth and breadth of our color imaging and printing solutions enable graphic arts professionals take advantage of these new opportunities.”

The centerpieces of HP’s announcement include:
• the HP Indigo press 5000, designed for increased volumes and cost-effective digital colour printing productivity;
• the HP Indigo press 3050, delivering enhancements to the successful HP Indigo press 3000 with a new entry-level pricing plan;
• the HP Color 9850mfp, HP’s first high-speed colour multifunction printer; and
• the HP Designjet 30 and 130 – two large-format printing, ink and media systems for photos and graphics that resist fading for 70 years.

In addition, HP is enhancing its existing professional colour technologies with CMYK Plus, a new colour standard that will automatically prepare files for offset printing without manual intervention.

Digital print on demand continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of the production digital printing market, according to a recent CAP Ventures report. In Western Europe in 2002, for example, equipment, supplies and service revenues totaled €5.8 billion. By 2007, this figure is expected to reach €8.6 billion.

HP is working with enterprise companies, commercial printers and their agencies to transform the efficiency and effectiveness of their marketing communications.

For example, Caprabo Group, one of Spain’s fastest-growing supermarket chains with more than 500 stores, quickly embraced the digital revolution for their print-on-demand, point-of-sale advertising. Instead of using centrally produced marketing materials, Caprabo shops now simply log on to the corporate-controlled Web site, download and customise the collateral that fits their needs, and receive delivery in less than 72 hours – less than half the time it formerly took.

The number of printers has been reduced by 25 per cent and Caprabo corporate marketers can now concentrate on managing and improving their retail advertising rather than working on actual print production.

“HP’s solution will allow us to grow over the years, be more efficient, reduce our costs and offer our customers a key element that differentiates us from our competitors,” says Xavier Alomar, marketing director, Caprabo Group.

HP is collaborating with companies such as Atlas Software BV, Datalogics Inc., GMC Software Technology, Printable Technologies, Techno Design and TripleArc to drive page volume to commercial printers to help them grow their businesses.

By seamlessly connecting the digital document delivery system between enterprise companies and commercial printers, HP is making customised, immediate and cost-effective print communications real.

CMYK Plus: Standard CMYK without manual intervention

HP also is enhancing the workflow process with the introduction of CMYK Plus, a new benchmark for colour science and management capabilities that allows graphics professionals to produce output from standard CMYK files (prepared for offset) without any manual intervention – thus saving considerable time and money.

CMYK Plus, a part of HP’s professional colour technologies, enables the production of outstanding output with rich and vibrant colors that are perceptually consistent with traditional offset press in hue and lightness relationships.

HP believes this new technology truly has the potential to transform the graphic arts industry, similar to the way HP did when it co-developed sRGB (red, green, blue), the colour technology standard for almost every imaging platform, such as computer and TV monitors, digital cameras and most imaging devices.

Transforming digital print production

For mid- to large-size commercial printers that want to take advantage of the significant opportunities in digital printing, the HP Indigo press 5000 provides productivity and flexibility with high print quality, speed and a wide media range. The press prints up to 68 four-color pages per minute and boasts substantial paper handling options and ink system innovation.

HP also introduced the HP Indigo press 3050, based on the proven HP Indigo press 3000. Enhanced with reliability improvements and lower pricing, the HP Indigo press 3050 makes it easy to invest in high-quality digital printing.

Both the HP Indigo press 5000 and HP Indigo press 3050 will be sold with one year of free service and extremely competitive service pricing after the coverage period.
HP also announced the availability of HP Indigo Printing Paper, affordable papers
optimized for reliability and quality when used together with HP Indigo commercial presses. The current portfolio of 11 HP Indigo Printing Papers range from uncoated text and cover to coated text and cover and will continue to expand.

Designed for production colour printing and copying locations in medium and large businesses, central reprographics departments, quick-printers and copy shops, the HP color 9850mfp delivers professional color quality, performance and solutions at a highly competitive cost. The HP colour 9850mfp is HP’s first high-speed colour printer, printing and copying up to 50 pages per minute reliably and easily.

Simplifying the creative process

For graphic design, proofing and photography, HP introduced the six-ink HP Designjet 30 and HP Designjet 130 printing systems. Whether it is a postcard or a poster, creative professionals can enjoy the convenience of output that resists fading for 70 years with fast colour stability and colour consistency at an affordable price.
New media and ink cartridges also have been developed for the Designjet systems using HP’s state-of-the-art dye-based formulations. The media and ink provide rich color depth and gloss uniformity for stunning results.

The HP Indigo press 5000 and the HP Designjet 30 and the HP Designjet130 printing systems incorporate the CMYK Plus technology. Support is also planned for the HP Color 9850mfp.

HP will be demonstrating its products and solutions during drupa 2004 in Hall 4, Stand 4C23.