HighWater has launched a low-cost proofing system based on Hewlett-Packards DesignJet 10PS A3-plus ink-jet printer.

TorrentProof for the HP10PS will cost 2,250 including a Pentium four-based RIP platform, printer, software RIP, colour management and a starter pack of HighWater proofing media.

"For a number of years our end users have asked for a low-cost colour proofer for internal use and for their customers to use for remote proofing," said HighWater vice president of sales Peter Flynn.

HighWater is looking to sell the proofer direct as well as via its traditional dealer network, which includes Litho Supplies and Openshaw. If direct sales are a success in the UK where it currently has four sales staff on the road it will look to expand the model into mainland Europe.

It hopes to sell 15-20 units per month and claims it already has a customer that is showing one of its blue-chip clients the system to set up multiple remote proofing systems.

Colour consistency is one of HighWaters biggest claims for the TorrentProof. It has worked hard to produce accurate ICC profiles to match the three proofing stocks it has sourced in matt, semi-matt and gloss.

"In the past customers saw the results of proofs from ink-jet printers and were happy," said project development co-ordinator Howard Peters. "Then they tried to cut corners with non-standard stocks. To overcome that we have sourced a competitively priced stock and written ICC profiles."

Part of the work to develop the ICC profiles has been focused on improving the grey balance.

Contact: 01242 542100.

Story by Barney Cox