PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 2, 2011) - HP (NYSE: [ HPQ ]) today introduced two HP Designjet printers capable of handling a broader range of indoor and outdoor signage applications with better durability than eco-solvent inks.¹

Furthering HP's [ strategy to disrupt the eco-solvent market ], the 104-inch-wide [ HP Designjet L28500 Printer ] delivers speeds up to 70 percent faster² than the HP Designjet L25500 Printer, while the 61-inch [ HP Designjet L26500 Printer ] is ideal for customers entering the growing soft-signage³ market.

Both systems feature new HP 792 Latex Designjet Inks, which produce rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self-adhesive vinyl, and offer double-sided printing capabilities⁴ with less user intervention and more accurate, automated registration. Compatible with more than [ 500 media solutions ], including the new [ HP Double-sided HDPE Reinforced Banner ] material, [ HP Latex Inks ] provide a consistent, reliable performance across a variety of substrates.

HP also launched [ HP Latex University ], a set of training materials and application workshops led by industry experts, as well as the [ HP Ecosolutions Trained Printing Company program ] for educating HP Latex Printing Technologies users in sustainability best practices.

"With about 9,000 HP Latex Ink systems installed worldwide, HP is offering a superior alternative to eco-solvent solutions that delivers the versatility and ease of use our customers demand while lowering their impact on the environment," said [ Santiago Morera ], vice president and general manager, Large-format Printing Business, HP. "By allowing customers to cost-effectively print a wide array of new applications and providing the training required to succeed, our updated HP Latex portfolio helps PSPs differentiate their businesses and seize new growth opportunities."

Driving business growth with broad application versatility
Ideal for high-impact point-of-purchase displays, soft signage,³ bus shelters, vehicle graphics and more, the HP Designjet L28500 and L26500 Printer series can print on a broad range of materials, including eco-solvent compatible media and low-cost uncoated options.

The new devices produce 1,200-dpi output with outdoor display permanence of up to three years unlaminated or five years laminated¹ for high-quality, long-lasting prints. The output also dries inside the printer, boosting productivity for double-sided print jobs, and allowing immediate finishing or use.⁴

"Compared with the solvent world that we're used to dealing in, the HP Designjet L26500 Printer is a breath of fresh air. It allows us to laminate immediately, installing at the same time, and do reprints in real time, increasing our productivity considerably," said Duston Noble, founder of Dallas-based [ Wrap Experts ] and a beta tester of the HP Designjet L26500 Printer. "We want to have the best equipment that makes our job easier and faster, so we love the fact that we can print and laminate jobs all in the same hour if we need to."

With new soft signage printing capabilities, customers can produce applications from retail banners to tradeshow signs and interior décor, which are easy to fold and pack, inexpensive to ship, simple to hang and have improved durability outdoors.⁵

Building on the introduction of [ HP HDPE Reinforced Banner ], the new printers also are optimized to work with new HP Double-sided HDPE Reinforced Banner, a compelling alternative to PVC scrim for advertising applications. The substrate offers the image quality, durability and tear strength of standard vinyl without the environmental disadvantages of a PVC-based substrate.

Availability of the HP Designjet L26500 Printer will vary by region beginning Nov. 3. The HP Designjet L28500 Printer is expected to be available Jan. 20, 2012.⁶

Designed with the environment in mind
Helping to address the demands of environmentally conscious print service providers (PSPs) and their clients, HP Latex Inks produce odorless prints.⁷ These water-based inks are nonflammable and noncombustible,⁸ and, unlike many eco-solvent inks, they do not require hazard warning labels and contain no hazardous air pollutants.⁹ Additionally, no special ventilation equipment¹⁰ or external dryer is required for safe and productive operation, helping to keep energy costs down.

HP 792 Designjet ink cartridges are now [ Eco Mark certified ]¹¹ by the [ Japan Environment Association ], demonstrating relatively few environmental impacts through the product life cycle from production to disposal. PSPs can return their HP 792 Latex Designjet supplies through [ HP's free, convenient recycling program ],¹² including ink cartridges, printheads, the printhead cleaning cartridge and the printhead cleaning container.

A recycling program also is available for a range of HP High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyester (PET) printing materials, including the new HP Double-sided HDPE Reinforced Banner.¹³

Additionally, the new printing systems reduce the amount of ink used during maintenance routines compared to eco-solvent technology.¹⁴

Application and sustainability education for HP Latex customers
Now available through [ HP Capture ], HP Latex University provides PSPs with training to successfully produce a wide range of outdoor and indoor wide-format graphics applications using HP Latex Printing Technologies.

By signing into HP Latex University, PSPs can access free application workshops led by specialists, online webinars and other tools that help maximize the use of their technology. The first webinar series kicks off in November and focuses on producing vehicle graphics and textiles.

Also available through HP Capture, all HP Latex Printing Technologies users can now participate in the free HP Ecosolutions Trained Printing Company program. This downloadable training is available in 10 languages to coach PSPs to take advantage of the environmental profile of their HP Latex printers, build an ongoing commitment to sustainability within their businesses and engage clients on their sustainability goals.

PSPs that complete the training will receive a framed certificate and an icon identifying them as an HP Ecosolutions Trained Printing Company that they may use for promotional purposes.

Additional information about today's news is available in an online press kit at [ www.hp.com/go/HPLatexSummit ]. More information about the latest additions to the HP Latex Printing Technologies portfolio is available at [ www.hp.com/go/latex ], through the [ HP Graphic Arts Twitter feed ] and on YouTube at [ www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts ].

About HP
HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure at the convergence of the cloud and connectivity, creating seamless, secure, context-aware experiences for a connected world. More information about HP is available at [ http://www.hp.com ].

¹ Durability comparison based on testing of representative eco-solvent inks including eco-sol Max inks on Avery SA vinyl for display permanence and scratch, rub/abrasion and chemical resistance. HP image permanence and scratch, smudge and water resistance estimates by HP Image Permanence Lab on a range of media including HP printing materials. Additional information available at [ www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence ].

² The HP Designjet L28500 and L26500 Printers produce an extremely broad range of both outdoor and indoor applications from a single device, which surpasses the number of different applications that traditional eco-solvent printers or water-based printers can produce. The HP Designjet L28500 Printer achieves speeds up to 70 percent faster than the HP Designjet L26500 and L25500 Printers.

³ For best results, print on media that does not let the ink trespass onto the printer. Performance may vary depending on media. Users should consult their media supplier for compatibility details.

⁴ For best results use media options intended for double-sided printing.

⁵ The durability with HP 792 Latex Designjet Inks improves the suitability of HP Latex Inks for soft signage applications. However, HP recommends testing the media before using it for outdoor applications.

⁶ Availability date may vary by region and is subject to change.

⁷ Some substrates may have inherent odor.

⁸ Water-based HP Latex Inks are not classified as flammable or combustible liquids under the U.S. DOT or international transportation regulations. These materials have been tested per the Pensky-Martins Closed Cup method and the flash point is greater than 110 degrees C.

⁹ HP Latex Inks were tested for hazardous air pollutants, as defined in the Clean Air Act, per U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method 311 (testing conducted in 2010) and none were detected.

¹⁰ Special ventilation is not required to meet U.S. OSHA requirements on occupational exposure to VOCs from HP Latex Inks. Special ventilation equipment installation is at the discretion of the customer -- no specific HP recommendation is intended. Customers should consult state and local requirements and regulations.

¹¹ HP 792 Latex Designjet Ink Cartridges, certification number 11 142 004, certified by the Eco Mark Office of Japan Environment Association.

¹² Information on how to participate and HP Planet Partners program availability is available at [ www.hp.com/recycle ]; program may not be available in all areas.

¹³ HP Large-format Media take-back program availability varies. Some recyclable HP papers can be recycled through commonly available recycling programs. Recycling programs may not exist in all areas. Additional details are available at [ www.hp.com/recycle ].

¹⁴ Per internal HP testing based on the amount of ink used during the recommended ink maintenance routines comparing the HP Latex Ink printing system to certain eco-solvent ink systems.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including execution of growth strategies, transformation initiatives and restructuring plans; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the competitive pressures faced by HP's businesses; the development and transition of new products and services (and the enhancement of existing products and services) to meet customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the protection of HP's intellectual property assets, including intellectual property licensed from third parties; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; the hiring and retention of key employees; expectations and assumptions relating to the execution and timing of growth strategies, transformation initiatives and restructuring plans; the resolution of pending investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2011 and HP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2011 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.