“Color Wide-format Printing Technologies”

In a previous post I talked about “color vs. black & white” print technologies and some of the concerns or topics that lead to a decision within companies and firms. Today I would like to share some of the “pros and cons” or maybe a better term would be “strengths and weakness” of the different technologies.

So the most common technologies in wide-format printing are known as “toner” based and “ink” or “inkjet” based.  Below I have listed some of “strengths and weakness” of the technologies and a few of the model types-

Toner based:

Strengths

• Toner based (LED/Laser) devices are typically faster than a traditional inkjet device and are/were more commonly found in the production environments. Until recent years these devices were typically monochrome and ranged in print speeds (ppm prints per minute from 4 to 20ppm)
• Toner is typically less expensive than ink
• LED/Laser technology typically are built for production and can easily print well over a million feet.
• Ability to produce a quality print on standard Bond paper, especially the Colorwave technology from Canon/Oce.

Weaknesses

• The base technology of either LED or Laser (which is the light source to produce the image) can be expensive to replace.
• Uses a photo drum and charge wires to transfer the image to paper, which need to be replaced to keep the quality of print looking good.
• Writing to a drum (cylinder) and then transferring to paper (flat surface) can lose some accuracy, especially if long prints/plots are required.
• Toner can be messy to change and can cause toner dust within the equipment, requiring more service calls and cleaning.
• Limited media types, typically standard Bond paper due to the heat required to print

Inkjet based:

Strengths

• High quality print, which are must more accurate due to printing on a flat surface vs. a drum
• Color vs B/W print – color ink is the same cost as Black ink (Color becoming the future)
• The ability to print on so many different media types from standard Bond, to photo based (glossy, semi-glossy, satin and matte finishes) to adhesive back, to Tyvek and Canvas, to fabric and poly to banner material...these are just a few of the common media types used today as manufactures continue to develop and add to the list.
• Ink cartridges are easy to replace and the printer gives you a low indicator when low.
• Inks are typically two types – “pigment based” which are more UV (fade resistant) and water resistant. These inks are typically found in the “graphics” based printers as well as the new HP Pagewide technology. The other is is “dye based”, which are typically found in technical or CAD type printers. These inks could smear or fade if exposed to extreme water or sunlight, but are usually fine for

Weaknesses

• Typically slower – print speeds ranging from 1 to 4 ppm
• Higher cost for ink vs. toner
• Typically, you need to print on a coated paper to produce a quality print
• the technical industry.

Last note on inkjet – PageWide XL technology from HP has changed things – Inkjet now competes directly with LED

In a previous article and above I talked about some major concerns with color and inkjet. Below I highlight how Pagewide XL as addressed these concerns and have bridged the gap between toner and inkjet.

Too slow – the traditional inkjet technology typically was too slow for production printing due to the limitations and have you could drive an ink carriage traveling back and forth across a roll of paper. With traditional inkjet technology, manufactures could only drive a carriage type technology so fast. Even the most current of technologies are limited to approx. 3 to 4 D-size (24x36) prints per minute. PageWide XL - Gone are the days of too slow and too expensive. The wide format Pagewide XL technology form HP is available in five different models, which provide prints speeds ranging from 10 ppm (prints per minute) all the way up to 30 ppm, depending on the model.

Too expensive – in the past and present, this is somewhat true. Traditionally you would have to purchase a toner based technology to reach the production speeds required to meet the demands and deadlines.  With that comes the higher cost of equipment and maintenace. Typically a toner based color machine consists of 4 imaging devices or 4 drums, depending on the technology, which drives up the cost to maintain, not mention downtime and reliability. PageWide XL has lowered the cost per print for all consumables (excluding paper, it ranges from $ 0.005 to $ 0.015 per square foot, again depending on the model.

Summary & Comparison – so when evaluating your wide format printing needs, do your research and make sure you understand the difference between inkjet vs LED. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how well inkjet technology has advanced but know there are still cases where LED wins the day.   

“The Ongoing Question & Debate”

When considering a plotter for your design and production needs has the topic of color vs. black & white come up? Typically, I see these three questions of concerns lead to internal discussions...

• Color is too slow?
• Color is too expensive?
• Do we really need color?

The answers to these questions have changed over the last 2 years.  Let’s address the last one first since this is where most clients start.   Most users come to the conclusion that color has become more important in printing as we generate more detailed data and color improves readability and functionality of blueprints.  With the growth of REVIT and other 3D CAD software solutions, color is now being integrated into designs and it’s critical to convey this color in print workflows.  Color images include everything from renderings to 3D visuals to convey design intent. 

The discussion then evolves from the clients’ desire for color to the perception that they need to decide between toner based black/white plotter and a traditional inkjet plotter.   This brings up the concern on cost and speed based on their experience with older inkjet technology.  What many people don’t realize that the days of color being too slow and too expensive for production printing are often gone.  This is due to the launch of new technologies such as the Pagewide XL systems from HP that can print fast and in a cost effective manner.  It must also be noted that even the traditional color inkjet printers from HP (Designet Series) and Canon (IPF Series) now have a much lower cost of operation and improved speed. PageWide is not the only technology addressing these concerns.  New inkjet plotters have larger ink cartridges and industrial print heads that last much longer which reduces print expense.  

So let’s look at the first two questions closer and why the perceptions are there….

Too slow – traditional inkjet technology typically was too slow for production printing due to the limitations of having to drive an ink carriage back and forth across a roll of paper. With traditional plotter inkjet architectures, manufactures can only drive a carriage type technology so fast. Even the most current of carriage based plotter technologies are limited to about 3 to 4 D-size prints per minute.  Often this does not provide enough speed for the times a large number of prints are needed to meet a deadline.  In the past, clients would have to purchase a toner based technology to reach the production speeds required to meet the demands and deadlines.  As a reference, the HP PageWide XL series prints up to 30 D-size per minute.  How does it get this speed?  With this technology the print head does not move back in forth but a 40” wide stitched print head is used to pass paper under the print bar which eliminates the need to pause paper feed as the ink cartridge passes by.  The system simply passes paper at a consistent feed under the print bar which allows these incredible speeds.    

Too expensive – We can look at expense in two ways.  The first is for ink.  In the past and even in some cases of the present, ink is more expensive than toner on lower volume systems which is why people think color is expensive.  However, often the new systems cost the same for ink as the toner systems when comparing black/white images.  Take this one step further, you can now likely output a traditional CAD drawing in black/white OR color for the same cost.  The second expense is maintenance.  Typically, a toner based system is expensive to maintain.  A traditional production color plotter consists of 4 imaging devices or 4 drums (depending on the technology) which drives up the cost to maintain, not mention downtime and reliability.  The simple architecture of PageWide improves reliability and uptime while reducing service calls. 

Pagewide XL from HP. Gone are the days of too slow and too expensive!  The wide format Pagewide XL technology form HP is available in five different models, which provide prints speeds ranging from 10 ppm (prints per minute) all the way up to 30 ppm, depending on the model. As for the cost per print for all consumables (excluding paper, it ranges from $ 0.005 to $ 0.015 per square foot, again depending on the model.  

Summary & Comparison – so when evaluating your wide format printing needs. Do your research and check out the actual costs and prints speeds of HP Pagewide technology. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how well the technology and cost compare to your black and white printer.  In fact, don’t be surprised if the cost is actually less than what you are currently paying for your old B/W technology but….now have the ability to leverage color!

In the world of production printing, reliability and uptime are two important words.  The new technology from HP known as “Pagewide” has taken this to a new level. After all, in today’s workflows, when we are printing physical documents, it’s normally because we need prints to accomplish key functions. We rely on printers to be operational when needed. The PageWide technology has allowed HP and their servicing partners to take a proactive approach to maintenace vs. the reactive approach. 

What is the difference between these two terms?  Traditionally, when working on plotters in the past – it was reactive.  Technicians and users did not know service was needed until the system failed and often times was hard down!  We simply worked on a break fix principle – the unit breaks and then technicians are called - which often meant the printer was down until a technician could get on site.   Even with the best service providers – this could mean the printer was down for hours at critical moments. 

How is Proactive different?  Technology and data are now utilized to predict failures BEFORE they happen.  Think about your automobile – things such as engine warning lights, scheduled maintenance, and data gathered by your car for better diagnosis are all proactive processes.  HP has built this type of service into the PageWide system. 

The technology has given service providers the mechanism to take a proactive approach as they are notified electronically via the internet when parts are due to be replaced or are starting to show signs of failing.  Even better, the system has scheduled cleanings and parts refreshing. Not only has this minimized downtime for the end user, but has also allowed for the service provider to plan scheduled visits around the customers busy times or in the middle of deadlines.

At a high level how does HP make this happen?  The technology actually tracks the amount of paper that has traveled through the printer as well as how many milliliters of ink drop through each print head. This then triggers a notice to what Preventive Maintenace kit is due to be installed, typically a warning well ahead of the actual time a part or filter needs to be replaced or cleaned, allowing the service provider time to schedule with the end user.  Preventative Maintenance kits are another HP advancement, using service and machine maintenance data, these kits continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of the units as failures are experienced in the real world.  Think of Tesla and how their cars automatically update their systems via Wifi – HP does this not only with software upgrades but adapting preventative maintenance.

It has been well documented (along with many customer testimonials) of how the new Pagewide technology from HP has decreased downtime through this proactive approach of preventive maintenance.  The reactive “my printer is down” approach has been painful for all of us at times – think Murphy’s Law – breaks always seem to happen at the busiest of times! 

In the 36 years of servicing and selling wide format systems, PageWide has been by far the most reliable technology I’ve seen. This paired with the proactive/preventive maintenace approach it continues to minimize users down time.  I have seen many clients keep a “back up” printer or run multiple printers. But, with these advancements, clients are able to replace multiple systems with one HP Pagewide.  All of this is due to the improved reliability and notifications the system automatically sends to the service provider.  It’s a win-win for the end user and the service provider- and most important when a printer is needed – it will be up and running!