Features Printing Wide-format Inkjet
HP DesignJet Z large format photo printers

Unveiled at FESPA Global Print Expo 2018, HP Inc. says its new DesignJet Z Printer series are designed to “maximize printing performance for amazing photo output.”

The HP DesignJet Z6 and Z9+ Printer series are both available in 24-inch and 44-inch formats. HP explains a new vertical trimmer is featured on select models to optimize output in addition to other innovative technologies, designed to deliver rapid high-quality production for applications ranging from professional photo quality prints to retailer signage, which the company says will result in 2.5 times faster printing and 20 percent faster post-production.

The series also features new colour technology, HP Pixel Control, which HP says is designed to achieve true-to-colour prints and an expanded colour gamut with RGB HP Vivid Photo Inks, featuring chromatic red, chromatic green, and chromatic blue, the i1 embedded spectrophotometer and HP Pixel Control. The company explains combining HP HDNA with HP Pixel Control enables users to get high image quality with nine inks versus 12 compared to the previous generation HP DesignJet. The new printers also offer HP Professional Pantone Emulation to match brand identity colours.

HP is also announcing enhanced HP DesignJet Z6x10 Printers for a better user and output experience, it says. Boasting a new fresh design, the new printers have new labelling indicating the printer colours for simplified ease-of-use. The printers have new printheads and Chromatic Red Ink formulation, which HP says will deliver sharp detail and precise line quality. As well, the new printers will have 500 GB HDD with more virtual memory to process complex and graphic intensive prints.

HP is also offering a range of media including the new:

• HP Recycled Satin Canvas, described as a 17.4 mil (443 micron), 370 gsm crack-resistant canvas for HP aqueous inks, made from 100 percent recycled water bottles, the first of its kind in the HP Wide Format Media Portfolio; and
• HP Everyday Blockout Display Film featuring the construction of three layers of polypropylene, polyester, and polypropylene film. The company describes the HP Everyday Blockout Display film as a thicker film compared to 100 percent polyester that has a coating for dual ink technology.

The HP DesignJet Z6, Z6x10, and Z9+ Printers are expected to be available on June 1, 2018. The 44-inch HP DesignJet Z6 and Z9+ with dual roll and vertical trimmer are expected to be available on July 1, 2018.