HP has today announced a new series of Latex ink printers, the L25500 series. They are available in two sizes, 42 inch and 60 inch. HP's goal with Latex ink is to eventually replace the use of Solvent ink with their Latex ink.
These machines represent HP's first attempt to compete with the Roland/ Mutoh/ Mimaki/ Epson solvent plotters that have proven highly popular over the past 6 years (they did not manufacture the Designjet 8000/ 9000 series).
They will be shown for the first time in the USA next week at SGIA New Orleans.
Last edited by Castek Resources; 10-01-2009 at 02:14 PM.
I'll spread some unfounded pricing rumors based on my faulty memory -- Early this year I talked to an HP rep at a open house event and he said that the latex printers would be in the $100,000 range... I think.
Any ballpark estimates on costs for the 60"?
And ink cost psf?
Available Date?
Ink costs are cheaper then solvent. I met a guy last year who bought the 2.5m version and he solely purchased the printer based on the savings over his solvent ink usage.
The L65500 is in the +$100k range, but I would hope/assume the new 42"/60" would be in the $25-35k range? This price range is much needed for those who wish to transition to providing outdoor "greener" solutions at a lower entry cost, Sure Bio-Solvents are available for ink swaps on other lower cost models but Latex is bound for greater growth potential. Good to hear that inks could cost potentially less than solvent.
I was also wondering about the whole issue surrounding energy consumption, the L65500 created some question among competitors, I wonder if this has the same issue?
The L65500 is in the +$100k range, but I would hope/assume the new 42"/60" would be in the $25-35k range? This price range is much needed for those who wish to transition to providing outdoor "greener" solutions at a lower entry cost, Sure Bio-Solvents are available for ink swaps on other lower cost models but Latex is bound for greater growth potential. Good to hear that inks could cost potentially less than solvent.
I was also wondering about the whole issue surrounding energy consumption, the L65500 created some question among competitors, I wonder if this has the same issue?
I would think closer to 40-50k, just because the machine is shorter does not decrease the cost proportionally. Both printers use the same number of parts, some are just shorter.
I was told they would be under 20K by a HP dealer, not sure if that is the 64 or the 42 inch model. Take note of the fact it has end user replacable print heads. Now we know why they stopped selling the HP9000
I was told they would be under 20K by a HP dealer, not sure if that is the 64 or the 42 inch model. Take note of the fact it has end user replacable print heads. Now we know why they stopped selling the HP9000
Under 20k?
I highly doubt it. If you watch any of the videos the advantages are there is now out gassing period and its better for the environment.
If the machines were that cheap it would be a MAJOR selling point.
I thought I would put in my 2¢, I spoke with an HP rep earlier this summer about these printers, here is what I remember from the conversation. The price is supposed to be in the $20-25,000 range for these printers. There were 2 problems I saw with the 65500 (100") printer. First thing is that it requires three phase power, second is that the media must be attached to the take up reel from the start of the print. I was told that the 40" & 60" will not require three phase power, and looking at the picture it appears the 40" has slack on the take up, so maybe it does not need 50" of wasted media like the 100" model. I was also told that the ink will be about 20% less expensive than eco-solvent, however it is six color, which will use more ink. I was also told that they would not allow running the printer in 4 color mode, remember that HP is in the ink business, not the printer business.
With all that being said let me also say that the prints from the 100" model that I have seen are beautiful. I saw prints run at 800 square foot per hour that were perfect, no banding. The color gamut was fantastic, the resolution will rival any of the eco-solvent printers, I could not find any thing to to fault them on with regards to output quality. A major plus with the latex is that it can be laminated immediately, it is completely dry when it comes off of the printer.
I was dissapointed to see that the 40" & 60" will be a 3 head machine and is half the speed of the 65500. Another thing to remember is that the printheads are a consumable item on these printers. From what I remember the printheads, in a typical 8 hour a day shop, would last about a year and cost $500 each to replace (x3 heads).
I want to address the importance of this printer to HP and possibly the sign industry, HP is not trying to compete with eco-solvent printing, they are trying to replace it. This could be the future for low price wide format printing, if it performs well (think how the HP 5000 changed water based UV ink printing). I will personally be watching this printer very closely to see if a few of these would be a good fit for our shop, however I think I will let some others be the first to buy.
If this printer works as well as advertised it should be a big seller for HP. I don't see why it won't come in under 20K. Look at the HPZ6100, the 42" sells for 10K.
HP is not trying to compete with eco-solvent printing, they are trying to replace it. This could be the future for low price wide format printing, if it performs well (think how the HP 5000 changed water based UV ink printing). I will personally be watching this printer very closely to see if a few of these would be a good fit for our shop, however I think I will let some others be the first to buy.
I have been watching this technology closely. It seems the major problems will be media compatibility. This system will reqire very high temps on the media.
I just Spoke with a sales rep at HP, he said the 42" machine will be in the high teens and the 60" model will be around $25000. They are also offering rebates which he said will bring the 60" down around $22000-23000.
"One day your life will flash before your eyes.... ...Make sure it's worth watching!"
Just to confirm as well, Grimco just sent out the Email News-
42" = $19,000 60" = $24,000up to $3,000 rebate
Not to bad!
Visited Grimco (Atlanta) 4 days ago to check on buying a HP L25500. Was given a price of $18,995.00. Also there was a mention of HP rebate of $3000 for PREVIOUS aqueous printer owners.
One disappointing fact I was told is that they will NOT be ready/sold until Jan 2010. I am in the process of setting up my relocated printing business this month and really would like to buy one of the HPL25500 to replace my Z2100 44" printer which I just sold but I do not want to wait until jan 2010. I want the big/new tax advantage for new equipment installed/purchased before the end of the year.
Also on my written quote was an option for an HP INSTALLATION
*Includes 2 days of travel, setup and training for $795. What's that about I wondered. My HP Z2100 was self assembled and printing in less than 2 hours.
My other concern was the 2 required 220 volt power supplies. Not a big deal but will need an electrician to sort that part out.
Before my Grimco visit, I requested some info from HP and was told to expect an email price quote in a day or two but that was 9 days ago and I still have not heard from them. I contacted them again 2 days ago and I am still waiting for a reply.
If I do decide to purchase this latex machine, I can do a written blow by blow feature from delivery to setup to first print review if the members are interested.
I'd like to hear that blow by blow. I wouldn't hold your breath on getting one before Jan. unless the dealer decides to make you his demo location.
Also I think the trade-up includes solvent printers, buy you will only have to provide the serial number of the printer; not surrender the printer to HP.
Artray, I'm very interested in a review, if you do buy it.
One thing that's bad about the 42" and 60" is that they're screwing you over the ink prices, or so I've heard. It's basically the same machine but they changed format of the ink "cartridges" (it's not really cartridges but more ink cardboxes) and will charge you more for it than with the L65500.
Way to go HP...
Last edited by Printhead; 11-09-2009 at 09:56 AM.
Reason: gammar
Artray, I'm very interested in a review, if you do buy it.
One thing that's bad about the 42" and 60" is that they're screwing you over the ink prices, or so I've heard. It's basically the same machine but they changed format of the ink "cartridges" (it's not really cartridges but more ink cardboxes) and will charge you more for it than with the L65500.
Way to go HP...
As usual...it appears that the small man loses out in the end.
P.S. Contacted hp again this morning complaining that after waiting 3 weeks, I have still not received the promised email containing the HP L25500 price and local Atlanta dealer info. Told them they were close to losing a faithful HP printer customer. They gave me another phone number to call.
As usual...it appears that the small man loses out in the end.
P.S. Contacted hp again this morning complaining that after waiting 3 weeks, I have still not received the promised email containing the HP L25500 price and local Atlanta dealer info. Told them they were close to losing a faithful HP printer customer. They gave me another phone number to call.
HP customer service is such a wreck. I had the same thing happen to me. I'm pretty sure they organize their lists of things to do with post-its.
I just did an install of the 104" Latex and it litterally has printed everything we have thrown in it. Should be fairly the same I would imagine on the smaller units, I am going to run some static cling to see how that works. The pricing is correct $19k for 42" and $24k for the 60" with up to $3k for rebate.
I had a fairly good look at this printer last month at the show in Sydney.
It seems to be a re engineered version of their latest waterbased printer to use the new inks. Main obvious difference being the big heaters which are necessary to get the inks to take and dry. Yes there are two power cables to the unit.
Having owned HP designjets for years these are quite an attractive option given their reliability and ease of maintenance. The heads are user replaceable like the waterbased printers. In fact they need replacing after a couple of litres I think.
I am in the market for a new printer however a couple of things put me off this thing.
1. They aren't available till Feb at the earliest.
2. 60" probably isn't wide enough.
3. The ink seemed to have a kind of hazy sheen on it. It could have just been the cheap paper they were using but I wasn't impressed with the output. Note to vendors - get the fecken things running at their best otherwise you'll lose sales.
4. I am loath to buy the first version of any new technology.
5. The price was a fair bit more than I managed to get a 74" Soljet for.
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