HP has announced that a customised version of its HP Indigo WS6000 Commercial Digital Press will be available to professional photo labs in July. This customised photo specialty solution comes configured for HP SmartStream print server solutions for high-volume commercial print production. The HP Indigo WS6000 Commercial Digital Press connects with HP Indigo commercial unified workflow and provides the same HP Indigo print quality across the different applications and platforms. The digital printing replicates the media structure and coating, removes wet processes and offers superior gloss uniformity while the thin layer requires less colorant.

HP Press Release

Digital opportunities for professional laboratories

Within the next three years, 20 percent of all printed images will be in the form of photobooks or other formats(1). Consumers have a strong desire to tell their stories, share their memories and have them printed, which has resulted in significant growth opportunities in revenue and volume for photo professionals. While only two or three copies of a traditional wedding album were usually produced, digital technology now enables different versions to be printed and personalised for each guest.

Therefore, transitioning to digital printing will enable fine art and professional photographers in portrait, nature and school segments as well as print service providers (PSP), to expand their businesses and create new services using HP Indigo presses.

“Professional photographers offer higher quality printed images than mass market sources but their narrower portfolio results in a decline of market value and revenue losses for them,” says Pierre Meleuc, photo segment development manager, EMEA, HP. “As the leader in digital printing, HP believes there is still a market for high end, custom-made photo products and that digital printing will be the answer for professional photographers looking for a solution that can transform their businesses.

Thanks to digital printing, professional photographers will be able to bring a wide range of new products to market, such as posters, large format portrait, fine art and interior design applications as well as photobooks. These new products can be created using a range of formats, page thicknesses and different finishes such as glossy, textured, smooth or coloured. As high-value prints, they can attract premium prices and ensure a good margin.

An increasing number of professional photographers are also discovering that photobooks are an efficient way to market their pictures in the portrait, nature or social segment. The American specialist in personal publishing, blurb.com, which is exclusively working with HP Indigo presses, estimates that 30 percent of its business now comes from professionals such as photographers as well as architects, designers and hotels – those working in industries where quality imaging is key to their competitive differentiation.

Today, in a lively market, art photographers and photojournalists sell prints in galleries or via the internet. Thanks to digital printing technology, they are also able to develop their own imaginative marketing collateral and promote their work through self-publishing and books-on-demand.

Make the right move with HP Indigo WS6000 Commercial Digital Press
Designed for large photofinishers, book printers and professional photo labs, HP’s new high-volume, high-productivity photo specialty solution uses a customised version of the new simplex roll-fed HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press. Printing at a speed of 120 A4/letter-size pages per minute in four colours, the press’s larger image size (317mm x 980mm) enables high-volume production of lay-flat photo book and book covers. It also facilitates more efficient impositioning and higher productivity for photo cards and similar products.

This customised photo specialty solution, expected to be available in July, comes configured for HP SmartStream print server solutions for high-volume commercial print production. The HP Indigo WS6000 Commercial Digital Press connects with HP Indigo commercial unified workflow and provides the same HP Indigo print quality across the different applications and platforms. The digital printing replicates the media structure and coating, removes wet processes and offers superior gloss uniformity while the thin layer requires less colorant.

The end-to-end enhanced workflow solution from file creation to finishing facilitates the HP Indigo WS6000 Commercial Digital Press integration with existing HP equipment. All printing components can be managed from the same print server with the same ripping and colour management.

HP has worked with Photobook Technology and AB Graphic International to develop new finishing solutions that ensure a better productivity and result. Other services can be developed around new large format devices like the HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer with an embedded spectrophotometer, ideal for the professional market. In addition, HP has worked with other leading suppliers to create a selection of image imaging software solutions that currently include Adobe® Photoshop® CS4 and Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom, the X-Rite APS, and Nik Software.

About HP
HP, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

(1) HP Internal data

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