What will most impact the large-format print sector in 2023 and beyond? The rise of Print 4.0 in the age of digital transformation says HP.
Being present online is just one part of a wider digital transformation that is changing the printing industry as we know it. It is time to say goodbye to print, and hello to print 4.0.
The evolution of the print industry is largely down to the rise of digital technology that supports a more connected world. An industry that makes smarter decisions based on big data. For example, HP printers can now collect much more data than they did ten years ago. Now, all that data can be processed into powerful insights that help our customers make the right decisions at the right time.
The printing industry has focused on one aspect of print 4.0 which is ‘automation’. This is to better connect printing technology and allow for a more seamless transition from when a customer places an order to its delivery. This will ultimately lead to a better customer experience, both for print providers and end customers.
Driven by sustainability
Environmental policies and safety regulations are getting stricter, as well as the rising demands of eco-conscious customers. Sustainability has gone from being a “nice to have” to a key purchasing driver for consumers. The 2022 EU Directive, which came into play earlier this year, has also meant large companies will need to conduct thorough environmental and human rights due diligence throughout their value chain.
According to a study by NielsenIQ, consumers are actively seeking companies that care about environmental issues. Indeed, 81 percent of global consumers believe that companies should help to improve the environment. And a further 85 percent of consumers say their purchasing behaviour has become more sustainable in the last five years. As a result, brands are reacting to this increased demand for sustainability, as well as to investors’ sustainability concerns and new regulatory requirements, by bolstering their sustainability credentials.
In the next year, we will continue to see the industry develop large-format products and consumables designed with sustainability in mind. Current initiatives include the new HP Latex 2700 portfolio, which can improve margins without compromising on sustainability or print quality. The whole Latex portfolio takes HP Eco-Carton – cardboard-based ink cartridges – that reduce plastic by using 100 percent recycled and recyclable cardboard containers, as well as recycled plastics from HP’s closed-loop recycling process, including post-consumer beverage bottles and U-validated ocean-bound plastics.
Immersive experiences
As well as stepping up their sustainability credentials, brands are also seeking to build stronger connections with consumers by creating impactful and immersive experiences in the real world. The return to offices has meant employers are also looking to reinvent their workplaces with fresh new decorations — which creates new opportunities for large-format PSPs who can meet this hybrid demand. Décor applications are set to grow 6 percent year on year from 2021 to 2026. As a result, we’re seeing a rise in printed décor applications and demand for high-impact campaigns
Nearly half of PSPs see diversifying their products and services as the key to future-proofing their business, according to research conducted by HP. Moving to digital print technology will enable this transformation. PSPs must be able to deliver innovative offerings efficiently and quickly. That agility is only possible with the flexibility and speed provided by digital workflows.
A sustainable future
The new 3.2m (126”) wide HP Latex 2700 printers take production efficiency to the next level, offering vivid colours at up to 89sq m/h (958sq ft/h) via symmetrical double printheads, which come equipped with automatic printhead cleaning technology. Users can take on high-margin jobs with 30 percent wider gamut at high speed, preserving media gloss and feel across a range of signage and décor applications – including thin films, vinyl and paper.
“With the investment in the HP Latex 2700, the increased white ink capabilities allow us the opportunity to go after so many new layers and finishes which offers us new techniques,” says John Mark Watson, MD of John Mark Ltd. He adds: “We have been blown away by the results we are getting and have been showing those to designers who have been impressed by the outcome. The new white ink changes the game and takes digital wallpaper printing into a whole different dimension.
“In the long term, we see that this will lead to a new trend in design, and it accelerates our position in offering quality digital printed wallcoverings. The machinery and the ink that HP supplies are not only eco-friendly but are leading in the market which also gives us a competitive edge.”
Meanwhile, the HP Latex 2700W printers offer the whitest white ink on the market at speeds of up to 54sq m/h (581sq ft/h), allowing PSPs to produce high-margin applications on pre-coloured and transparent media.
Additionally, the whole portfolio takes HP Eco-Carton – cardboard-based ink cartridges that reduce plastic by using 100 percent recycled and recyclable cardboard containers, as well as recycled plastics from HP’s closed-loop recycling process, including post-consumer beverage bottles and U-validated ocean-bound plastics.
Unlock efficiency
HP Professional Print Service Plans are also designed to enable business agility, maximize uptime and productivity, and to provide learning opportunities and support.
PSPs have a choice of two different HP Professional Print Service Plans – Basic and Plus – with each containing a portfolio of service and software solutions tailored to business needs. New and enhanced features include:
Print Beat Live Production – giving users a single, real-time view of all jobs queued and in production across multiple sites.
HP Learn – a digital learning platform with free and premium training modules depending on the service plan PSPs choose, allowing users to upskill and keep ahead of challenges
Enhanced HP Service Center – proactive troubleshooting to improve uptime, including smart diagnostics that alert your service representative when action is needed.
For further information about HP Professional Print Service Plans and its features, please visit the website here.
A path to productivity
We have seen the megatrends shaping our industry, and by combining these powerful insights, we have developed a roadmap for the future of HP Large Format Printing.
Our customers want limitless application opportunities, streamlined production and a sustainable advantage over their competitors. So, we promise to help them grow easily into new business premium/high-value applications by providing key technology assets and experiences through HP Latex technology. And everything we innovate will be safe to use, and contribute to the circular economy, protecting operators and the planet
Get in touch: 0800 408 4348 or send an email to: andy.white@hp.com
