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NEWS PROFILE
Profitable opportunities with the
HP Latex 630 series
F “While by no means a new concept, HP continues to work
elipe Ospina/Marketing Manager MEA at HP writes :
on its range of HP Latex printers to offer print companies
around the world access to technology to help them grow
and succeed across a range of markets. HP Latex printers
combine high-quality printed output with environmentally friendly
production. All printers within the range run water-based HP Latex
inks, which have much less impact on the world around us than their
solvent, eco-solvent and UV counterparts. Such has been the success
of this approach that the range has continued to evolve and expand to
cope with demand.
The latest addition to this family of solutions is the HP Latex 630
series, which launched at The Print Show 2023. This series comprises
the HP Latex 630, HP Latex 630W, HP Latex 630 Print & Cut Plus, and
HP Latex 630W Print & Cut Plus. Each device can print on materials
up to 1.63m wide and run rolls as heavy as 42kg, while also boasting a
top operating speed of 14sq m/hr in standard quality mode. Print com-
panies running these machines also benefit from the accompanying
HP Print OS Design & eCommerce solution, which makes production
even easier and allows them to get the absolute most out of their new
HP Latex 630 solution.
Entry-level solution the technology becomes available to more PSPs at a lower price point.
What makes the HP Latex white ink stand out is its ability to maintain
What perhaps makes the range most notable is the fact that is being excellent whiteness over time. Other white ink technologies tend to wash
billed as an entry-level series. In essence, the range allows those print out and can be prone to yellow over time, causing issues for PSPs in terms
businesses looking to take advantage of HP Latex printing technology of having to reprint work, which could in turn leave the customer disap-
to do so at a lower price point than other devices in the wider HP Latex pointed. This quality, combined with the capabilities of the HP Latex
collection. While the machines are being marketed at a lower price, 630W machines, including lower curing temperatures to minimise media
this by no means has any impact on the quality of the solutions, their distortion and a separate anti-scratch cartridge, helps users to achieve
features, or the quality at which they can print. It simply means that much higher quality and durable output in the long run.
more print service providers (PSPs) can make use of the leading tech-
nology without having to spend as much as they would with the larger Superior sustainability
HP Latex machines. Picking out some of the core features within the Of course, a look at any piece of HP Latex printing technology would not
HP Latex 630 family, each machine runs with lower curing tempera- be complete without due consideration of the environmental qualities of
tures, allowing them to handle a wider range of printable media. This these machines. As is well documented, all HP Latex machines use water-
is particularly useful for those businesses looking at taking on jobs in based inks, with the sustainable qualities of these speaking for themselves.
areas that require working with heat sensitive materials. As for its Working with more planet friendly machinery and consumables is becom-
wider appeal, the 1.63m operating width will open doors to all manner ing increasingly important for print companies in the modern market,
of markets across more general wide-format print sector such as ban- with more customers demanding that their printed work has as little
ners, wallcoverings and canvases. Then there is consideration for impact on the environment as possible. The HP Latex 630 series allows
emerging, perhaps more niche, markets such as exterior decals, inte- users to deliver just this at a lower price point for their own business.
rior décor, personalised giftware, and custom white ink concepts and Offering an insight into just how much difference there is running HP
proofs, with the HP Latex 630 series positioned perfectly for such Latex inks as opposed to other ink types, take large-format print as an
work. example. HP Latex inks are made up of 65% water, with the other 35%
Widen your horizons with white ink comprising latex, pigments, and other materials. Compare this with eco-
solvent inks, these have no water but do feature up to 80% of highly vola-
On the subject of white ink, to put it simply, there is no overstating tile organic solvent, which has a much harsher impact on the planet. The
the importance of this feature, not only within the HP Latex 630 series figures are similar when comparing latex inks to UV large-format ink
but also the wider HP Latex range, and indeed other HP machines out- products. While latex inks are mostly water and do not contain any volatile
side of the Latex family. HP is gaining something of a reputation as the organic compounds, UV inks do not contain any water, but instead are
technology leader in terms of white ink printing. If you consider that produced using up to 80% of hazardous acylates and photoinitiators.
two machines in the new range have white ink capabilities – the HP Water-based, latex inks allow users to take on all manner of work with lit-
Latex 630W and HP Latex 630W Print & Cut Plus – then this means tle to worry about in terms of hazardous materials and odour.
04 PrintWeek MENA April 2024 www.printweekmena.com