HP has rejuvenated its entry-level wide format printers with the addition of the third generation latex inks. Nessan Cleary talks to Latex 360 user Ian Penman of IntroScan.
Earlier this year HP improved its entry-level wideformat printers with a new Latex 300 series. There are three models in all,
with the top of the range being the Latex 360 that is aimed at graphics bureaux. Given that, we talked with user Ian Penman, founder of Glasgow-based general wide-format bureau IntroScan, which handles everything from business cards to posters and banners.
Introscan had been using a HP DesignJet Z6100 but wanted to take on a wider range of outdoor work. Penman had looked at the previous generation of HP latex printers and felt that the image was quite soft, but he says that the new generation gives much sharper images, comparable to solvent printers.
Penman is a self confessed gadget freak who says he picked the top of the range Latex 360 because he always goes for the best available. He had looked at other machines but felt that the Latex 360 had more to offer, explaining: “The HP gave us an advantage in that it could do two-sided printing and some textiles.” He adds: “We don’t do a lot of textiles but what we were doing we were putting out. In the future we will be having a go at it ourselves.”
The Latex 360 was installed in September and Penman says that the installation went without a hitch and that the machine is printing well with no problems, adding: ”We are very pleased with it”.
He continues: “The cost of using it is considerably lower than what we had before. The cartridges are cheaper and the ink seems to last a lot longer.” Also, the printer is happy working with cheaper materials so Introscan has saved on substrate costs as well.
Penman also bought an Onyx 11 Rip to use with the printer, which he says is very good. He adds: “It seems a bit complicated for some things but it gets there and it’s very fast.” In short, the Latex 360 seems to have performed exactly as promised.
