When a Large Green Footprint is Needed
Companies are looking not only to explain to clients why they are far more ecologically focused but they now must also demonstrate that they are making a practical difference to the environment. Print wrestles with this topic with several companies claiming print has a negative effect on the environment and only online can be green.
This has been debunked by Two Sides which has shared information on its website citing 2020 research from the European Commission stating that the ICT industry accounts for 5-9% of electricity use, which is more than 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions (as much as all air traffic). If left unchecked, the ICT footprint could increase to 14% of global emissions by 2040.
However, if you look at the cradle to grave elements of manufacturing, energy usage, and long-term effects of equipment, there are still areas where there is room for improvement. It’s also worth noting that despite the growing need for sustainable solutions, we are still very much in love with colour and graphics and it is proven these stimulate both the purchasing experience and drive sales upwards.
Environmental Credentials
So, how do you balance the environment and the need for vibrant colour on our walls, shop windows, and vehicles? Well, a good first step would be to look at a range of printers from HP, namely the newly-launched HP Latex 630 and 630W Series.
One of the main unique selling points of this range is that both machines use water-based HP Latex inks which are proven to have a very low impact in the methods of production, the environment in which they are printed, and where they are used. The difference between the HP Latex 630 and 630W is that the latter can print white ink.
There is a lot of industry discussion on the use of Latex inks – are they durable enough, are they suitable for outdoor applications, and can they really be versatile enough to make them a practical alternative to traditional solvent-based printers and inks?
Well HP has put out a lot of evidence to suggest its Latex inks tick all these boxes and the HP Latex 630 and 630W printers make the very best use of them.
Looking firstly at the ink used, you can see the rationale for the claim that latex ink is actually more durable than its counterparts. The ink is water-based and in suspension is a mixture of pigment and latex. The process of applying it is not revolutionary but once applied the ink is dried and during this part of the process the Latex actually melts and the pigments are trapped and shielded from the environment.
This latex cover stops attrition or deterioration of the vibrancy of the applied ink. This, HP claims, means the outdoor durability of the latex ink is superior to the eco-solvent counterpart. HP states the latex-based ink will provide outdoor durability of up to five years when laminated and three years without.
The inks come with Ecologo, Greenguard, and Road to Zero certification ensuring they meet the highest of ecological standards. The HP Latex 630 printer comes with eight inks and coatings. These are cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, light magenta, HP Latex Optimizer, and Overcoat, and additionally white for the 630W.
HP claims that the use of Latex inks has benefits for operators by not having solvents present that need ventilation and special storage. The client has the benefit of having odourless products that do not attract unnecessary attention or comment but mainly the environmental impact is considerably lower than that of solvent-based products.
The second claim is that Latex ink is less versatile and again the counterclaim is worth consideration. HP claims that you can print on any substrate the competition does, and with over 2,000 materials and substrates provided you can be sure you will be able to find one to suit your needs.
If confirmation is needed by clients, HP can help you differentiate your business’ environmental credentials as equipment can be provided with both UL ECOLOGO and EPEAT certificates. Finally, concerning the high green footprint of this machine, you can reduce plastic use of the HP carton-based cartridges and label-free supplies by recycling via the HP Planet Partners scheme.
Clients can feel confident that the ordering of vibrant coloured posters or wrapping has not, literally, cost the earth.
Effortless Operation
Turning attention to the hardware of the 630/630W, what do they look like and how do they operate?
The machines are basically the same size regardless of the version you select and both have an automated front-loading media system which means you have an effortless task loading whichever substrate you are selecting to print on. As for substrates, the roll widths you can use range from 457mm to 1,625mm (18” to 64”) and a roll diameter of up to 250mm.
As for substrates, there is almost a limitless number of materials that can be used on the HP Latex 630/630W for an array of applications ranging from banners, displays, exterior signage, posters and vehicle wrapping – if you have a need, the printer can accommodate it.
Using HP-developed water-based Latex inks, vibrant colour is achieved and maintained without, literally, costing the earth”
Other smaller but important features of the printers are things such as an automatic horizontal cutter for vinyl, banners, and other substrates and a roll feed and take up system to ensure longer work is handled correctly avoiding damage.
Both printers, sharing a common base and architecture, have features on the printheads such as automatic maintenance giving operators peace of mind that quality will remain metre after metre and should a printhead need changing, it is a simple operator task to swap them out with new replacement heads.
Each of the colours comes in handy and easy to change one-litre cartridges and as explained there is a sharp focus on the recyclability of the cartons that comes with ensuring the least impact on the environment possible.
As you would expect, the HP Latex 630W comes with a range of speeds from 115m/min for the maximum speed making two passes through eight individual speed selections finally ending up with 3.3 metres for deep white printing. The HP Latex 630 has four steps from the same top speed down to 22 metres for standard backlit and textile printing.
Whether you are looking for standard or white-enhanced coloured printing and the environment is vital to your business model, the use of water-based Latex inks needs to be considered and the HP Latex 630 or 630W can easily support your ethos.
Statistics
- Ink type HP water-based Latex inks
- Printheads 5 (600) or 6 (630W)
- Colours 630/630W Yellow, black, cyan, magenta, HP Latex Optimizer, HP Latex Overcoat, white (630W)
- Print speeds (630/630W) Up to 35m2/hr
- Print resolution 1,200 x 1,200dpi
- Max media width 1.62m
- Overall dimensions 2.59 x 0.84 x 1.4m
Brian Sims Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu
Your text here...
