BOEBLINGEN, Germany, 21 August 2008 – HP today announced that it would be showing its range of new wide format printers on its stand (K062) at VISCOM Europe, 24 – 26 September, Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris.

Among its other activities at VISCOM, HP will be featuring the new HP Designjet L65500 Printer that uses HP Latex Inks, as well as the recognised industry workhorse, the HP Scitex TJ8500 with high throughput, durable UV inks. First shown at drupa in May, the HP Designjet L65500 Printer is the first of a new category of large format signage printers with HP Latex Inks that reduce the impact of printing on the environment. The HP Designjet L65500 Printer further extends HP’s broad portfolio of large, wide and super-wide format inkjet printers that serves the diverse needs of the creative and printing communities.
“The demonstration of the HP Designjet L65500 Printer at VISCOM furthers the presentation of this innovative printer to the commercial European sign and display marketplace,” said Santi Morera, vice president and general manager, Large Format Printing Business, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “The printer generated great interest at drupa and demonstrated that HP’s technology and product strategy is meeting the requirements of today’s market.”

Taking a green attitude

The HP Designjet L65500 Printer is a thermal inkjet printer using odourless HP Latex Inks (1) to produce high quality indoor and outdoor applications on a wide range of substrates. With no need for special ventilation,(2) extremely low levels of VOCs and producing no hazardous waste,(3) the HP Designjet L65500 not only reduces the total impact on the environment, but enables wide format printing to be carried out in locations where previously impossible. The HP 786 Designjet Printheads do not require daily, manual printhead maintenance,(4) and are user-replaceable, ensuring maximum production times.

Print speeds up to 35m2/hour for indoor applications, and 70m2/hour for outdoor work mean that the HP Designjet L65500 Printer can print up to 1200dpi with sharp text down to 4-points. Prints are scratch-, smudge- and water-resistant and offer a performance comparable to that of solvent-ink technology.(5)

HP is also participating in the complimentary VISCOM conference “Take a Green attitude! Towards a sustainable and responsible future in visual communications.” The conference takes place on 24 September from 2.00 – 3.00 p.m. local time in the Conference Area of the show, within Hall 7,2.

François Martin, marketing director, EMEA, HP will speak at the conference, which will be chaired by Jean Poncet, editor of Signal’ Etiq’. The session is aimed at advertisers, communication agencies, specifiers, creatives, manufacturers and suppliers, who recognise the importance of a green attitude in all areas of the production chain. From the primary materials through to the communication support, the obligations and part played by each will be examined.

At the show, HP will also launch a new printer that offers benefits of quality and productivity to sign and display print service providers. In addition to the printers on show, information about other printers in HP’s diverse wide format inkjet portfolio will be available. On 24 September, there will be informal product briefings and tours of the stand for the trade press. Further details will be provided nearer the date of the show.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.

(1)  Printers using HP Latex Inks use internal heaters to dry and cure the latex polymer film. Some substrates may have inherent odour.

(2) Special ventilation is not required to meet US OSHA requirements on occupational exposure to VOCs from HP Latex Inks. Ventilation equipment installation is at the discretion of the customer – no specific HP recommendation is intended. Typically no air discharge permitting required with inks that emit extremely low levels of VOCs. Customers should consult local requirements and regulations.

(3) HP Latex Inks are generally not considered hazardous waste. Customers should consult state and local requirements and regulations

(4) Printers using HP Wide Scan Printing Technology employ fully-automatic printhead testing and maintenance systems.

(5)  HP image permanence and scratch, smudge, and water resistance estimates by HP Image Permanence Lab. Display permanence tested according to SAE J1960 using HP Latex and solvent inks on a range of media, including HP media; in a vertical display orientation in simulated nominal outdoor display conditions for select high and low climates, including exposure to direct sunlight and water; performance may vary as environmental conditions change. Scratch, smudge, and water resistance tested using HP Latex and solvent inks on a wide range of HP media. Laminated display permanence using Neschen Solvoprint Performance Clear 80 laminate. Results may vary based on specific media performance.