Speaking exclusively to SignLink, Steve Peet, hardware product development manager at PaperlinX, describes his experience of the series: “When I first saw the new HP Latex range, I was gobsmacked at what it could do. It is a tangible step up in terms of technology, and the changes are not incremental, they are dramatic.

“The machines are extremely easy to use and quick to start up; productivity is dramatically increased.”

The claim from latex pioneer HP is that, with high efficiency curing, in six colours, and a print resolution of 1200dpi, the new 91sq m/h Latex range will be able to produce the highest levels of quality at any given speed when compared to technology in the same bracket.

The news is set to ratchet up the competition stakes in the wide-format market and intensify the development arms race, as if HP’s claims bear scrutiny it will impact the relevance of peer technologies.

Frank Moran, managing director of PaperlinX Visual Technology Solutions also weighed in on the news: “This new release has been kept tightly under wraps, in fact, when planning our presence at the show; we placed an order with HP without knowing exactly what it was we were ordering.

“This new offer is set to be a real game changer. With these three new models, HP is offering printers a solution that will boost production capacity. Automatic, reliable, low-maintenance printing will enable operators to increase production time and reduce time spent monitoring the printer.”

Moran continues: “This new range will enable sign-makers and printers to offer more to their customers, whether it’s traditional signs or low cost uncoated, point-of-purchase, backlits, canvas, and wall décor graphics.”