DIGITAL digest
O’Neil Data Systems, based in Los Angeles, is scheduled to begin beta testing an HP Ink-jet Web Press (30? configuration) in December.
On the wide-format ink-jet front, HP said it is on track to begin selling the new HP Designjet L65500 printer in January. It features new HP Latex inks that are claimed to provide many of the benefits of solvent-ink technology, but emit low levels of VOCs, are not classified as hazardous waste and are non-flammable/non-combustible.
Xerox Shows Its ‘New Business Of Printing’
ROCHESTER, NY—Following on the heels of Drupa in Germany, and leading up to what would be the first U.S. showing of several new products at Graph Expo, Xerox held a press and analyst day here in late September.
The meeting kicked off with a presentation by Valerie Blauvelt, vice president of marketing for Xerox’s Production Systems Group (PSG). Referencing a Pira International study, she valued the global digital printing market for print providers at $68 billion in 2007, with expectations that it will double by 2012. The $580 million digital printing market for packaging is expected to reach $6 billion by 2015. Blauvelt also cited an InfoTrends study that projects the specialty photo printing market to grow at an annual rate of 24.5 percent through 2012 to $800 million.
The amount of color pages printed digitally is exploding, she added, noting that 40 billion color pages were printed on Xerox devices last year. Some of this can be attributed to the more than 2,000 Xerox iGen3 digital color presses installed worldwide, including 275 users that have installed two or more iGen3s to meet their increased demand.
First shown at Drupa, the new Xerox iGen4 digital production press features more than 400 new parts, according to Jeff Perine, manager of iGen product marketing, PSG. With FreeFlow Process Manager software to automate job submission, the iGen4 also incorporates a patented auto density control system; auto carrier dispense for more consistent tints and lifelike flesh tones and skies; an in-line spectrophotometer; high-definition linearization; advanced color profiling; as well as PANTONE and custom spot color matching.
