HP has announced the HP Priming Solution, enabling HP Inkjet Web Press users to print on a broader range of media, including standard offset coated media that is not typically compatible with production inkjet technology.
Coatings used in offset papers are designed to repel water, including water-based inks used in high-speed production inkjet environments. This results in print-quality defects such as coalescence and issues with drying the ink at production speeds. The new HP Priming Solution addresses this challenge, allowing print service providers (PSPs) and book manufacturers to print on low-cost, coated offset stock without compromising print quality or productivity.
“Customers and prospects considering production inkjet equipment want to print on a wide variety of media,” said Aurelio Maruggi, vice president and general manager, Inkjet High-speed Production Solutions, HP. “The new HP Priming Solution reinforces our strategy to offer choices to customers for expanded media options, while continually bringing to market new technology that helps our customers do more with their HP Inkjet Web Presses.”
The HP Priming Solution was introduced at an HP customer open house event held at O’Neil Data Systems in Dallas. Other announcements include:
•The HP T260 Mono Inkjet Web Press, a new digital press with a compact footprint designed specifically to help publishers increase speed to market and profitably print high quality black and white books in both large and small quantities.
•Additions to the HP SmartStream Solutions Partner Program, enabling customers to take advantage of high productivity finishing options.
•HP’s intent to enter the growing packaging market with its inkjet web press solutions.
Broadening media options with HP Priming Solution
Building on HP’s 30 years of inkjet technology leadership, the new HP Priming Solution expands HP’s media versatility in the production inkjet market. Available for the full HP Inkjet Web Press portfolio, the first HP Priming Solution offers a matte finish that can provide a cost-effective coated-media solution and help increase the crossover points vs. traditional offset in both publishing and commercial printing.
Components of the solution include an HP-developed, aqueous-based Priming Agent for HP A51 Inks, engineered to work with HP Inkjet Web Presses, and the Epic PrimeCoat priming system from Epic Products International, an industry leader in developing custom priming and coating solutions.
HP’s media strategy also includes HP Bonding Agent for production on low-cost, uncoated offset papers, collaboration with leading paper mills on the development of inkjet optimized papers with ColorPRO technology, and the HP Media Certification Program for the identification of substrates compatible with HP high-speed production inkjet systems.
