Inkjet & Digital Printing
HP to Showcase HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press at Labelexpo Europe 2009
Thursday 30. July 2009 - The migration from analogue to digital continues
HP announced today that it would be featuring its newest press for digital label printing, the high volume HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press, along with new options to enhance production, on its stand (9G65 & 9G70) at Labelexpo Europe 23-26 September, at the Brussels Expo.
Also on the HP stand will be the market-leading HP Indigo press ws4500 that has found great popularity with label and packaging converters wishing to add new revenue streams using a digital capability to their portfolio.
Both the HP Indigo press ws4500 and the HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press can be used for label, flexible packaging and shrink sleeve applications. Additionally, the HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press can be used for folding carton printing. Both presses will integrate with end-to-end solutions for prepress and finishing from HP partners. Prepress solutions from EskoArtwork; finishing systems from partners including A B Graphic International and HPs Business Development services will also have a presence on the stand.
HP will be presenting a “Tower of Production” demonstration on the stand, for the first time with an HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press, to demonstrate the longer cost-effective run lengths, volumes and number of jobs that can be printed in an eight-hour shift. Working in production conditions to an eight-hour schedule, the HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press, operating at speeds of 30m/min. (~100 feet) (four colours), will print a variety of labels on various substrates, recreating the environment at a typical label printers.
Software tools for streamlined production
A new HP Capture component, HP Indigo Smart Planner 3.0 will be demonstrated on the stand. This advanced job estimator and business-planning tool can calculate the breakeven point between conventional and digital jobs. The planner, an upgrade to the former HP Indigo Label Job estimator, offers estimating tools for complex multi-step applications that require additional calculations such as advanced finishing costs, warehousing, and special discounts. Additionally, HP Indigo Smart Planner 3.0 has an option for importing actual job data from PSPs management information systems.
Also featured will be HP SmartStream for Labels and Packaging, powered by EskoArtwork. A high performance RIP, digital front-end and workflow controller, the server can reside in the prepress environment or near the press. From its centralised location, it assures highly efficient file processing, best-in-class colour control, simple, sophisticated barcoding, enhanced step and repeat and high quality variable data output. The server enables connectivity to central EskoArtwork workflow solutions, as well as to other workflow components, such as web-to-print and MIS solutions. The solution also addresses production needs through ICC colour management, and includes prepress tools in the native environment of Adobe Illustrator.
Third Annual HP Indigo Digital Labels Contest
The third annual HP Digital Labels Contest for outstanding labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and folding cartons printed on HP Indigo presses is already under way. With categories for alcoholic beverages, flexible packaging, folding carton, food, health & beauty, household, industrial, non-alcoholic beverages, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, self-promotion, shrink sleeves, wine and other applications the competition attracts entries from all over the world.
Judging will be conducted by a panel of independent industry experts. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Brussels on 24 September.
“This is a very important show for HP with the HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press making its first appearance at Labelexpo Europe,” said Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo division, HP. “Together with the HP Indigo press ws4500 and prepress, finishing and media partners, this presents an exciting future for label printers and converters. The HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press has already been adopted by many leading label converters in Europe and worldwide and demonstrates the increasing migration of work from flexo to digital.”