HP’s new breakthrough innovations will shape the future of work in large format printing. Experience all-in-one, versatile, and sustainable printing with the HP Latex R530 printer. Maximise productivity and create high-value applications with consistent, reliable quality using the new HP Latex L730/L830 series. This article appears in the September/October edition of Sign Africa Journal.
HP Latex R530 Printer
Small and medium-sized print shops often struggle to find efficient workflows or resort to outsourcing, while larger print service providers (PSPs) seek solutions that can expand their offerings and execute short runs on both rigid and flexible media.
HP is thrilled to unveil the HP Latex R530 printer, which offers significant capabilities in a smaller footprint and enables PSPs to overcome the hurdles associated with rigid printing while taking advantage of new commercial opportunities.
The HP Latex R530 printer is the only all-in-one compact printing solution, allowing seamless adaptation between rigid and flexible applications. It delivers consistent, high-quality output across various media types, enabling PSPs to tap into new markets and expand their print applications. With automatic recirculation and printhead cleaning, businesses can enhance uptime and reduce maintenance costs. The single-phase power system provides effortless installation in limited spaces.
Sustainability is a key focus, with sustainable innovation features like direct-to-rigid printing, which reduces waste and UL ECOLOGO®-certified HP Latex Inks. These environmental certifications allow you to win tenders with corporate and public sector clients who demand sustainability.
HP PrintOS Production Hub
PSPs need streamlined workflows that integrate with their technology, investments, and workforce. The new HP PrintOS Production Hub offers a centralised, real-time platform for order management and remote production control. This industry-leading software optimises print operations, reducing inefficiencies and errors. With precision, efficiency, and control, PSPs can enhance their print workflows and deliver superior results.
Now you can be on top of your production by being able to remotely monitor production and data analytics — even when you are off-site or do not have access to the web. You can still monitor your print production using your smartphone and the HP PrintOS mobile app. Remote substrate management is handled by the HP Configuration Centre. Other HP features allow you to easily identify jobs and job queues of all registered printers across multiple sites in one comprehensive, at-a-glance view. PrintOS gives you the edge by being able to solve issues as they arise, and to maximise your productivity, ensuring your business is as efficient as possible.
Midcomp Installs First HP Latex R530 In South Africa At SignMax
SignMax’s Managing Director, NJ Vermaak, said, ‘Within the first week of having the R530 installed, we have already seen the benefits. It delivers very good speeds with an amazing and consistent colour gamut. Orders were going to print from the moment the printer was commissioned. We have delivered some rigid boards that would normally require us to mount vinyl. These orders were completed with a faster turnaround than normal. Labels were also printed using white ink for the first time at SignMax, and both were met with great praise from our customers with return orders.’
Short run packaging is one of the markets SignMax is looking at expanding into, and thanks to the white ink capabilities of the R530, packaging items and bespoke product labels will give the business an edge in the local market. They are now also able to assist other signage companies with their rigid and white ink printing needs.
‘Clients want unique and tailored graphics for their event branding and packaging, with quick turnaround times,’ said Vermaak. ‘The R530 is fast, and the fact that we can change from rigid to roll-to-roll within minutes helps us meet these demands. Clients prefer a one-stop partner for all their printing needs, and the R530 helps us achieve this. Corporate clients are also increasingly demanding a greener print solution. The R530 puts us ahead in this regard, especially in areas like schools and hospitals.’
Midcomp sales agent, Gavin Lee, said one of the unique benefits of the HP Latex R530 is its ability to offer roll to roll, as well as rigid prints, up to 1.6m wide. Other benefits include faster turnaround times with direct to rigid substrate printing and instantly dry prints that are ready for installation. He said that the HP Latex R530 features the most opaque white ink in the industry. ‘Five layer sandwich printing is possible, as well as Spot White, white underflood and white overflood, using the white ink that comes standard with the printer.’
HP Latex L730/L830
The white ink capability on the HP Latex 730 and 830 printer series enables you to create impactful designs with vibrant, eye-catching detail. Plus, printing with white ink is easier than ever before with HP’s automatic maintenance processes. White ink opens new revenue streams by giving you access to more high-end applications like packaging, vehicle wraps, retail, event graphics etc. White ink opens the door to unlimited creative design possibilities. Another benefit is instant-dry prints, which mean a much faster turnaround time, helping you get those orders fulfilled quicker, and increasing revenue.
The HP Latex 730 and 830 printer series enables you to print a wide range of stunning retail décor applications, from backlit displays and floor graphics to posters and stickers. Produce vibrant, consistent colours and opaque whites quickly to meet the tightest deadlines.
Produce stunning wallcoverings that look amazing and create a comfortable indoor environment. UL ECOLOGO®-certified, water-based HP Latex Inks contain no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and produce odourless prints. As the only EPEAT Climate+ registered printers in the industry, the HP Latex 730 and 830 printer series helps you stand out and take on more jobs with confidence.
Expand your application possibilities with a single printer that delivers stunning, high-opacity prints in both colour and white – and across different print modes like spot, underflood, overflood, and 3 or 5 layers. The HP Latex 730 and 830 printer series prints white ink 30% faster than previous models, while automatic recirculation and printhead cleaning make white printing as simple as any other colour – giving you more time to focus on your business.
Flexible HP Latex Inks dry instantly for immediate lamination and installation, without off-gassing. The prints stretch easily without cracking for fast and easy installation. HP’s modular inkset provides strong laminate adhesion, and both printers support self-adhesive vinyl. Achieve vibrant, uniform colours with precise ink combination and distribution via HP Pixel Control, for stunning results that grab attention and grow your profits.
HP Stitch S1000
The S1000 enables print service providers to diversify their soft signage and interior décor offerings while meeting more challenging customer needs. It provides users with the option to print directly onto fabric or onto transfer paper, simplifying workflows without compromising on results, while 1200 native dpi printheads and HP’s Drop and Dry system ensure deep blacks, vivid colours and extreme resolution to deliver work of the highest quality.
World-Leading PPU Programme
With the comprehensive and customised Pay-Per-Use (PPU) programme, users benefit from predictable, fixed monthly costs per square metre based on their location, eliminating unexpected expenses. There is no minimum print volume required. The PPU model includes ink supplies, printheads, cleaning cartridges, service maintenance kits, labour, and spare parts, making it a cost-efficient and worry-free printing solution.
‘At Midcomp, we’ve always prided ourselves on thinking outside the box. This mindset led us to ask a simple but powerful question: ‘Why not apply a usage-based model to HP Latex printers?’ The challenge lay in accurately predicting running costs so we could bundle all consumables and services into a fixed, usage-based fee. This is how our Pay Per Use (PPU) programme was born,’ said Rob Makinson, Midcomp Group CEO.
‘Crucial to the success of this model was access to precise production data. We collaborated closely with HP’s R&D team to develop the necessary tools and access protocols. Thanks to this partnership, we now have close to 200 printers operating under our PPU programme. However, we knew there was still one piece missing: incorporating the printer hardware itself into the model. That’s when we went back to the drawing board. By introducing a tiered usage-based pricing structure, we found a way to include the hardware cost in the billing model. This evolution gave rise to our PPUGRO programme, which has been exceptionally well received by our customers.’
Midcomp recently received the Middle East and Africa Contractual Go To Market (GTM) Pioneer Award FY24 from HP for the PPU Programme. ‘Midcomp has successfully launched and managed the PPU programme for large format production printers, significantly lowering the entry point for customers to print value applications using HP Latex Technology. This programme has not only made high-quality printing more accessible, but has also empowered businesses to leverage advanced printing solutions without the burden of substantial upfront investments,’ said Abdallah Aoude, Cluster Manager, Large Format Printing, Middle East and Africa.
Lead With The Most Environmentally Certified Technology
HP’s newest Latex Technology carries a broad set of credentials addressing the full spectrum of environmental concerns; from ink chemistry and indoor air quality, for both print production and display, to lifecycle considerations, earning recognition for products as environmentally preferred overall.
Print service providers no longer need to choose between sustainability or high quality and production. HP Latex technology features the greenest credentials of any printing solution as well as incredible efficiency and productivity.
Sustainability is no longer just an industry trend: it is the future. Stay ahead of the curve by championing sustainable printing with HP Latex technology. By doing so, you not only gain a competitive edge but also earn the trust and loyalty of customers who value environmental responsibility. The time to act is now – embrace sustainability and make a lasting impact.
Midcomp Awarded As HP Amplify Impact 3-Star Catalyst Partner For Third Consecutive Year
HP has named Midcomp as an Amplify Impact 3-Star Catalyst Partner for driving sustainability. From training their employees to leading their sales with sustainability, Midcomp are helping customers make an impact through more sustainable choices, knowledge and technology.
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