Unveiled to the UK market on Monday (9 July), the R1000 is a 1.64m-wide machine designed for printing signage and displays on both rigid and flexible media. It is a smaller version of the R2000, a 2.5m-wide machine unveiled at Fespa in May.

Both machines make use of HP’s redesigned Latex inks to deliver vibrant colour and high-quality images, according to HP. The R1000 is capable of printing at up to 57sqm/hr.

Large-format marketing manager Anne Sharp said: “HP first developed the HP Latex ink technology more than nine years ago and has continued to develop the large-format printer portfolio to satisfy the needs of our customers. It was a logical next step to expand this very successful ink technology into the hybrid market.

“The HP Latex R1000 has been developed to print a wide range of flexible and rigid media including applications for retail, outdoor signage, window graphics, events and exhibitions, and decorations.

“It is ideal for medium-sized PSPs that have a requirement for rigid applications but want the flexibility to also print roll-to-roll with the same device and thus ideal for growing businesses with investment and space constraints.”

Capable of printing onto substrates up to 50mm thick, the R1000 makes use of HP Latex White ink to deliver glossy white on transparent and coloured media waste-free. It runs removable HP thermal inkjet printheads.

The R1000 also runs Latex Overcoat, which adds durable and flexible water-based ink to an application for high adhesion and scratch resistance while lower curing temperatures allow for media versatility.

Benefits of HP’s Latex technology identified by Sharp and utilised by the R1000 include instant drying, media versatility and increased sustainability, to allow “medium PSPs to look for new business opportunities”.

While pricing was undisclosed, following tests at a number of beta sites across the EMEA the HP Latex R1000 will become commercially available from 1 August.