Monthly Archives: May 2023

The large-format print market is thriving. According to one recent study, the global value of value of large-format printer (also known as wide-format printing) is set to grow by 3.2% a year between now and 2026¹. But even in a growing market, the combination of lockdown and rapidly changing consumer and technology trends presents challenges for print service providers (PSPs).

Research carried out in late 2020 predicts a period of market consolidation, in which the successful companies are the ones that adjust to new realities. They will do this, according to the researchers, by broadening the range of products and services they provide, by cutting costs, embracing digitisation and cutting turnaround times ².

The question for PSPs, is they can do this? Part of the answer is to invest in the latest, cutting edge printing technology. That’s why HP is launching the new HP Latex 700 and 800 Printer series. These new latex printers support media and inks specifically designed to help PSPs be equipped to win higher-margin print jobs. And they’re fitted with the latest time-saving and productivity-enhancing technologies.

Introducing the HP Latex 700 and 800 printer series

This year HP launched the new HP Latex 800 and HP Latex 700 printer series. Designed to help PSPs to win big and maximise their revenue, these two new latex printer series come with a range of features that enhance productivity specifically in those areas where it delivers the most benefit to your business.

Ways in which the HP Latex 700 and 800 Printer series can benefit your business include:

• Print jobs with more vivid colors and dazzling whites, striking contrast and sharp 4-point text using improved HP inks and the whitest white ink available on the market today ³.
• Fit more jobs into the day, with faster print engines and a range of other productivity features which make these printers up to 50% faster than previous models ⁴.
• Cut your running costs with cost-effective 3-liter HP ink cartridges, which you can change while the printer runs, for less downtime ⁵.
• With innovative water-based HP Latex Inks you get odorless prints that are easy and safe to handle and hang anywhere ⁶.

The new latex printers were designed from the concept stage on with sustainability in mind. And supply-chain sustainability is increasingly on HP’s agenda when they choose with whom to work.

The new HP Eco-Carton cartridge, used in the HP Latex 700 and 800 Printer series, has been designed to reduce the amount of plastic used in the cartridge by 80% and the CO2 emitted in the lifetime of each cartridge by 66% ⁷. The carboard ink cartridge is 100% recyclable through local cardboard/paper programs ⁸.

Take on higher-value jobs

One of the most innovative features of the new latex printers is their support for new and improved HP White latex inks. Using white ink, you can print on more types of media, for instance colored or transparent media, making signage more vivid. You can also add a background layer to CYM images for backlighting, improve coloring, make edges sharper — and more. Making the switch to a white latex ink printer means you can charge more, particularly when taking on jobs that specifically require a higher print quality.

With their vivid inks and their support for a wide range of media, the new HP Latex printers enable you to take on a wide range of jobs. Not only does this allow you to take on higher-margin jobs from direct clients, it also has the potential to make you a valuable outsource partner for PSPs who don’t have the same advanced HP Latex printing facilites.

The printing tech that will give you the edge

With the right printing technology, PSPs can become leaner, faster and more profitable. And the same technologies, along with the workflows they enable, will set you up to come out the other side of the pandemic more competitive and able to take higher-margin jobs. That’s what the HP Latex 700 and 800 Printer series are about and what they enable.

Footnotes

1. https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/large-format-printer-market-covid-19-impact-2020-global-industry-size-demand-growth-analysis-share-revenue-and-forecast-2026-2020-11-19

2.  https://www.largeformatreview.com/business/business-news/covid-19-heralds-decade-of-disruption-for-print-say-smithers

3. Whitest white based on ISO/DIS 23498 compared to competitive alternatives using solvent and UV technologies under $50,000 USD as of May, 2020. Test performed on black opaque self-adhesive vinyl (L*:4.16 – a:0,48-b:2,34) with 160% UF printmode using HP 873 3-liter White Latex Ink Cartridge. Visual opacity = 91%.

4. Only for Latex 800 and 800W – compared to previous Latex models

5. Only applies to the HP 800 printer series

6. There is a broad set of media with very different odor profiles. Some of the media can affect the odor performance of the final print.

7. C02e reduction based on moving from plastic ink cartridge to cardboard HP Eco-Carton ink cartridge, with annual manufacturing savings of 291 tons and transport savings of 8 tons. Equivalent to 1,194,028 km (741,935 miles) driven by an average passenger vehicle or over 38 million smartphones charged.

8. The ink cartridge HP Eco-Carton outer carton is 100% recyclable through local cardboard/paper programs. Inner materials including the ink bag are 55% recyclable and can be returned free of charge to the HP Planet Partners program for reprocessing of plastic parts. Zero landfill. For ink bag and printhead take back, visit http://www.hp.com/recycle to see how to participate and for HP Planet Partners program availability; program may not be available in your jurisdiction. Where this program is not available, and for other consumables not included in the program, consult your local waste authorities on appropriate disposal.

9. Outdoor mode (Banner) 4-pass, 100%. Based on internal HP testing in September 2020 on Avery 3001. Print speed may vary due to the adaptive printing mechanism to avoid image quality defects.

About HP

HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most.

Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more.

For the first time, Hahnemühle receives two TIPA World Awards. In 2023, Hahnemühle wins in the categories “BEST PHOTO CARDS” and “BEST PHOTO PAPER”. This makes the paper manufacturer now a 12-time TIPA World Awards winner since 2005. Consumers can use the TIPA WORLD AWARDS as a useful benchmark and guide when making purchasing decisions. The Technical Image Press Association honors and recognizes companies in the industry as well as their products.

Winner of the category BEST PHOTO CARDS

The Hahnemühle FineArt Photo Cards are the Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Collection in your pockets! Available for twelve different qualities in two different sizes (DIN A5 and 10 x 15 cm / 5.8” x 8.3” and 4” x 5.9”). Whether as a mini-collection for a ‘mobile’ portfolio presentation, an invitation, a giveaway at an exhibition, or simply as a small gift for a friend – Hahnemühle’s high-quality FineArt inkjet photo cards offer a variety of creative design options. A fun and creative way to capture and share memorable experiences and moments. The sought-after fine art cards are packed in an elegant metal tin that contains 30 cards with beautifully rounded corners. The elegant packaging with the embossed rooster protects the prints and is ideal as a small, mobile archive. A short step-by-step guide with a borderless printing template can be found on the Hahnemühle website and in the app.

In addition to popular paper types such as Photo Rag® 308 or Museum Etching, all four Hahnemühle Natural Line papers are now available as FineArt Photo Cards! This means that papers from all four paper ranges in the Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Collection (except Canvas) are now available in this practical format. Artists can choose from matt glossy, smooth, textured, and sustainable papers. The Natural Line has a special place in the Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Collection. It focuses on four FineArt inkjet papers made from unique raw materials: bamboo, hemp, agave, and sugar cane. The plants that provide the cellulose require minimal maintenance, grow quickly, and don’t need any pesticides. Their rapid growth means that more cellulose can be produced on the same cropland than with other raw materials, and they also require much less water, helping to save valuable resources and protect the environment.

TIPA Jury Statement

“These 10×15 cm (4×6 inch) or DIN A5 (5.8×8.3 inch) photo cards can be used professionally as a mini portfolio, as a small remembrance gift for those attending exhibitions, or as a personalised postcard. Available in a variety of high-quality Hahnemühle paper surfaces and weights, including all four sustainable Natural Line media, the classic Photo Rag® 308, and the high-gloss metallic-shimmering Photo Rag® Metallic. The 30-sheet packs are designed to match every photographer’s personal taste as well as coordinate with the mood and subject matter of the images. The company provides a printing guide for the cards as well, which entails creating a template, sizing instructions for borderless printing, printer settings, and specific paper profile settings.”

Winner of the category BEST PHOTO PAPER

Hahnemühle Photo Rag® is one of the world’s most popular papers and the valued all-rounder for high-quality FineArt inkjet printing. The white cotton artist’s paper, with its characteristic, wonderfully soft feel, boasts a lightly defined felt structure, lending each artwork a three-dimensional appearance and impressive pictorial depth. Combined with the matt premium inkjet coating, this paper produces outstanding prints that feature brilliant colours, deep blacks, striking contrasts and perfect reproduction of detail. This acid- and lignin-free classic meets the most exacting requirements for age resistance and is specially designed for FineArt applications. Whether it is used for FineArt photography or art reproductions, the ideal combination of structure, print quality and weight makes Photo Rag® one of the most versatile Hahnemühle Digital FineArt inkjet papers.

Hahnemühle has now qualified the 188 gsm version of its classic Photo Rag® for LayFlat binding. This enables premium Layflat photobooks with the Photo Rag® 188 as content paper and individual hardcover designs. Such exclusive photo books become works of art in themselves and must be handled with care – a foldable FineArt print. The advantage of such a high-end Layflat photo book is that one can enjoy the printed images in full; no bulge in the middle covers up parts of the motif. The FineArt print can be enjoyed seamlessly across both sides without having to hold down the book. This is another reason why they are great for images that span across two pages, such as landscape (panoramic) format. Layflat books with prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® 188 have a great impact and make an excellent gift or feature piece at home, an exhibition or showroom. A sophisticated way to enjoy photography printed on Hahnemühle FineArt Inkjet paper.

TIPA Jury Statement

“This new paper offering from Hahnemühle expands the creative and expressive options for photographers who want to offer their best work in a lay flat book format. Photo Rag 188, already esteemed for fine art digital printing, has now been qualified for LayFlat binding, a process that allows for full appreciation of an image and other content without the need to hold down the book to appreciate content and image information that might otherwise be lost in the gutter. One of the chief uses of this format will be for photographers-landscape and architectural, for example-who do not want to be constrained in their layout options, as the format allows for fully viewable “double-truck” (i.e. a two-page spread) images as well as numerous additional design and layout options.”

About TIPA

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) is an organisation made up of editors and publishers of photography magazines from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Each of the 30 member magazines focussing on photographic technology, photographic culture and trade, presents the annual TIPA Awards. Experts from member magazines in Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America vote on the best products in 40 categories, including cameras, lenses, accessories and printers. TIPA also provides vital information about the photo industry, conducts in-depth testing of photo products, and initiates expert discussions with imaging companies. For more information, visit www.tipa.com.

About Hahnemühle

Hahnemühle is considered the inventor of Digital FineArt papers for inkjet printing. As a pioneer, the oldest German artist paper manufactory has been refining its real artist papers for photography and art reproductions for more than 25 years. The papers – manufactured for more than 439 years with characteristic craftsmanship – receive a special coating, without influencing the noble haptics of the papers. This inkjet coating allows prints with pin-sharp details, in both rich colour and deep blacks. All papers have excellent aging resistance. The Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Collection offers more than 29 different papers, while the Hahnemühle Photo Range is comprised of six media. All papers and life science solutions have class–leading quality attributes and excellent ageing resistance. Hahnemühle has a worldwide reputation as a ‘Brand of the Century’ among photographers, artists, museums, galleries, and collectors. Products are available in more than 130 countries worldwide. The company is headquartered in Dassel, Southern Lower Saxony, with offices in the United Kingdom, France, USA, Singapore and China. For further information on the brand, history and environmental responsibilities visit www.hahnemuehle.com

New products and services, new ways of working, plus a more eco-conscious and socially responsible outlook mean print business leaders have a huge opportunity to reinvent the way they work.  Print business leaders are looking to grow and adapt to meet urgent customer demands, and to develop new offerings that could help clients move in new directions. 

They know they need to become more efficient, focus on costs, and improve workflow by using technology that will help them simplify and streamline processes. And many are seeking ways to become socially responsible—for the sake of their customers, their reputations and, ultimately, profit.

So, let’s look at some of these trends and try to understand what they’ll mean for your print business over the coming months and years.

How content and creativity are driving the industry transformation

With customers demanding unique ideas and more creative solutions, print businesses must step up to shape the future.  Indeed, two fifths regard diversification of their large format print offering as a high priority, according to a survey from Widthwise in 2020.¹

This could come from providing new products and services to existing customers, or finding innovative ways to build an additional customer base.
 
Interior decor is just one example. This covers many things, from fine art to durable upholstery, but the size of the opportunity is huge. Just consider that the global digitally printed wallpaper market has been predicted to grow at 23.6% annually (CAGR) until 2025, to reach a total value of $10.4 billion, according to figures from Energias Market Research.²

What’s more, print businesses are dealing with customers who have unprecedented demands and expectations around content. They have witnessed the meteoric rise of content platforms such as Canva and Zazzle and have become accustomed to buying goods and services from easy-to-use e-commerce platforms that offer next-day, or even same-day, delivery. How can print businesses respond with creative solutions that provide content, ideas, and experiences to meet the demands of customers?

How intelligent automation can help print businesses work smarter

While business leaders must pay close attention to sales growth, they must also focus on customer service and profitability. A big part of that is ensuring operations run effectively, and that means reducing costs, errors, and wastage while improving productivity, workload capacity, and time to market.

According to the last published FESPA Census,³ 72% of print businesses are seeing increased demand from customers for faster turnaround times, and 59% believe that customer demand for “just in time” deliveries will increase. 
 
Increased use of automation is one way to help on both fronts. In 2020, Keypoint Intelligence4 asked print businesses to compare the share of total on-site print volume that was produced in a 100% automated workflow with their expectations for the future. The survey found that while 63% of volume was produced without any automation in 2020, that figure would drop to 36% by 2022. 
 
Workflow and automation technology can make all the difference. It can help improve the way print businesses operate by helping them quote more accurately, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and see where cost efficiencies can be made. Plus, software and services can also enable businesses to grab new opportunities—building a digital presence to capture orders online, for instance.

Making sustainability profitable for your print business

Recent HP research⁵ reveals that 85% of PSP customers now demand sustainable products and practices. The research is supported by the Widthwise study which showed that in 2020, 81% of PSPs regarded sustainable print solutions as “more important” than two years previously. 48% of respondents said their environmental focus for 2020 was to measure and/or reduce their carbon footprint.

This is driven by a desire to be more socially responsible, but also because of the business opportunity. Indeed, there is an urgent and growing need to find alternatives to materials such as PVC, with big brands leading the charge by making a commitment to being PVC free.

How is your print business reacting?

Accelerating change

Print businesses have been evolving for some time, and the turbulance experienced in 2020 only accelerated that change. Many are displaying resilience and creativity, and businesses that will survive and thrive will be the ones that are versatile, connected, sustainable, and safe.

HP can help you take the next step to ensure your print business has the best chance of success.

1. July 2020 Widthwise Report www.imagereportsmag.co.uk/widthwise. Widthwise also did a PSP survey pre-Covid, at the beginning of 2020
2. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2019/04/23/1808076/0/en/Global-Digitally-Printed-WallpaperDPW-Market-to-Witness-a-CAGR-of-23-6-during-2019-2025.html
3. FESPA Print Census Report, 2018
4. https://postscript.psda.org/Full-Article/9-trends-for-print-distributors-in-2021
5. https://press.hp.com/us/en/press-releases/2021/hp-drives-versatility-sustainability-new-latex.html

Easy to use, incredibly versatile, and exceptionally accurate. Keencut cutting machines improve your business. Acclaimed by signmakers, printers, and framers worldwide, Keencut is the market-leading solution for your finishing needs.

Here’s ten reasons why a Keencut cutter is the perfect choice!

1. Slash production time
   Keencut cutters reduce production time and increase your workflow. It’s about speeding up productivity with the reassurance of a precise, flawless finish.
2. Guaranteed accuracy
   Keencut machines are precision calibrated and made from quality components, so unlike other manufacturers, Keencut specifies an accuracy level for every cutter and a comprehensive 5-year guarantee.
3. Incredibly versatile
   Keencut machines cut a wide range of rigid, semi-rigid and flexible materials. And, if there is a new material we do not list, we will test it and advise on the best cutting process.
4. Reduced waste
   Wasted materials cost money! With Keencut’s cutting accuracy, you cut precisely, reducing costly mistakes and minimising waste.
5. Clean cutting
   Every Keencut cutter cuts and finishes without creating debris. There’s no dust to damage printer heads or create flaws in your vinyl application. Keencut cutters are regularly fitted to Applicator Tables. Just think of all that time saved on vacuuming the workshop!
6. Cut and finish in one action
   With a Keencut cutter, you cut and finish in one action. There’s no need to deburr and no sharp edges. The cutting action is smooth and requires minimal effort.
7. Perfect repeatability
   Keencut technology ensures accurate, repeatable cutting to produce precise, identical pieces.
8. Reduced staffing costs
   With a Keencut cutter, an inexperienced operator can create perfect results in moments. One person can align and cut materials regardless of board size or thickness.
9. No power costs or lengthy maintenance
   There are no additional power costs when using Keencut machines. You do not require electricity, and the maintenance is minimal.
10. Cut your own
    With a Keencut cutter, everything is under your control. You have no delays waiting for pre-cut boards to arrive, no extra costs, or quality issues. And you get to use any offcuts.

About Keencut

Keencut designs and manufactures manual cutters for the print finishing and picture framing markets, with world-leading accuracy and reliability. Products are sold around the globe to most countries in Europe, the USA, and as far afield as Russia and Australia.  

We design and manufacture our entire product range at the Keencut factory in Corby, UK. We use the finest materials and state of the art manufacturing techniques to ensure the highest quality and reliability, and our products come with a minimum five-year comprehensive guarantee plus a minimum 20-year guarantee on all rotating and sliding bearings.

With a broad range of manual cutters, Keencut meets the ever-increasing requirements of customers in the sign-making, large & small format printing, and picture framing industries. Our dedication to finding the ultimate precision engineering solution to each application means that our products have a worldwide reputation as the most accurate, reliable and easy to use.

If you are looking for precision and durability in your cutter, choose Keencut.