This May, HP (Palo Alto, CA) Inkjet Web Press user O'Neil Data Systems (Los Angeles) hosted an open house to demonstrate this new technology. O'Neil is the site of the first HP Inkjet Web Press beta installation and began commercial production on the press earlier this year. The company demonstrated variable, color newspaper production, running a special edition of Investor's Business Daily during the event. O'Neil also uses the press for its financial and healthcare customers' variable and transactional projects. The firm is using HP Exstream enterprise document automation software to drive the press.

High-volume digital color

“Our customers realize the value of print and are better served with full-color content, personalized with the most relevant data, delivered as efficiently and as quickly as possible,” said James Lucanish, president, O'Neil Data Systems. He discussed HP's commitment to its customers while developing the inkjet web press, joking that he can take the credit for insisting HP adopt a “no click charge” business model. “They are coming through with what they say,” he added.

Bolstering HP's efforts to target the $3 billion digital print market opportunity for publishing in 2010, as well as the $13 billion market opportunity for direct mail, transactional and transpromotional printing in 2010, the HP Inkjet Web Press offers:

• CMYK production printing at an addressable print resolution of 1,200 × 600 dpi at full press speed (400 fpm), using the latest generation of HP Thermal Inkjet printheads based on HP Scalable Printing Technology.
• Compatibility with a wide range of media types and weights, including uncoated offset stock, newsprint, and treated and coated papers. A unique bonding agent improves image quality and durability on a wide range of uncoated offset media. In addition, HP is developing papers to offer a wider selection.

O'Neil Data Systems, William O'Neil & Co., and Investor's Business Daily chairman and founder William O'Neil touted the value of installing the new press. “William O'Neil & Co., IBD and O'Neil Data Systems are all based to some degree on the successful management and reporting of data,” said O'Neil. “With the HP Inkjet Web Press, O'Neil Data Systems reinforces that legacy by going to what is truly the leading edge of graphic arts technology.”

Additional applications

HP's goal for the inkjet web press and its related software and equipment is to help print service providers become more profitable and accelerate their transition from analog to digital printing. Additional beta sites include:

• Courier Corp. (North Chelmsford, MA), a leading North American book manufacturer. Through its participation, Courier will gain access to HP's technology and resources in digital print, and HP will gain access to Courier's experience and knowledge of book manufacturing.
• Consolidated Graphics (Houston, TX), one of the largest North American general commercial printing companies. Consolidated Graphics is a leader in the use of digital color solutions for high-end commercial print and direct mail, and the press will join the more than 50 HP Indigo presses, HP Designjet printers and HP SmartStream print servers the company operates at facilities nationwide and at its newest location in Europe.
• France-based firm CPI is expected to install its first HP Inkjet Web Press this September.

Several HP solutions partners participated in the open house, including: CMC, EMT, Hunkeler, MBO/EHRET, Muller Martini, Pitney Bowes, Timsons and Ultimate Technographics.

See www.hp.com.