HP recently exhibited at China Print, taking the wraps off two new HP Indigo presses that made their Asian debut.
The HP Indigo 120K HD and 18K HD presses, built to support the transition from analogue to digital, with high-speed, AI-driven automation, and offset-quality output, were displayed at the tradeshow, which took place in Beijing.
The HP Indigo 120K HD delivers on productivity and offset-matching print quality, setting a new standard for high-volume production and automation, at speeds of 6,000 sheets per hour.
True digital continuous operation enables non-stop paper feeding, non-stop colour measurement, and continuous stacking. It saves time, with multiple input and output paper sources, allowing a seamless and automated switchover process for jobs and paper on-the-fly.
AI-based technology aid in image quality troubleshooting, predictive press care and maintenance capabilities, and end-to-end line efficiencies and reduced paper waste.
It allows users to boost productivity by 33 per cent while reducing operating cost per sheet and save 25 per cent of energy consumption per sheet while printing on the HP Indigo Enhanced Productivity Mode (EPM).
Users can also print more economically and more sustainably with the new ECO 4-colour print mode option, which helps reduce carbon footprint by 11 per cent.
The HP Indigo Recycling Imaging Oil (RIO) technology lets users reuse imaging oil and reduce up to 35 per cent waste.
HP Industrial Print Asia-Pacific and Japan head of products and solutions Yoav Lotan said, “The HP Indigo 120K HD is 30 per cent faster than the 18K HD. It goes up to five colours and is mainly made for general commercial print applications that are high-quality, short-run jobs.
“It’s really about automation and productivity with this machine.”
As for the HP Indigo 18K HD, it is a B2 digital press that supports more than 2,000 certified substrates, 75 per cent of which are sustainable media, ranging from 75 to 600 microns. It produces unlimited colour combinations with seven ink stations, featuring 12 specialty ElectroInks and a countless array of spot colours.
Innovative Photo-Pro Mode eliminates the need for a photo specialist by automatically using CMYK+LLK inks on demand. AI-based automation is also used for image quality, PQ Maestro troubleshooting, and diagnostics.
It also includes LEP Print Technology and PrintOS’ data-driven solutions.
“The HP Indigo 18K HD is the most versatile platform that you can buy today in the market. Its digital prints are of offset quality. It can support a range of applications, using anything from very thin paper – like for book publishing or catalogues – to rigid boxes, folding cartons, trading cards, and even credit cards. This machine can literally print on anything,” Lotan said.
“It’s a workhorse – it is a very robust, productive, and versatile printer that delivers on HD definition with its unique spot colour, UV, invisible, and security inks. It’s very popular.”
The company also had a portfolio of products on display, including the HP Indigo 200K, 6K, V12, and PageWide A2200 presses. These machines demonstrated solutions for short-run packaging, high-volume label production, and commercial print.
In addition, HP also showcased smarter production with HP PrintOS, educating attendees on new tools such as Production Beat and PQ Maestro that streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and save hours each day.
At the event, HP also celebrated its 100th flexible packaging press installation inAsia Pacific and Japan – in a major milestone for HP Indigo, Dongguan Honggan Packaging installed an HP Indigo 200K Digital Press.
Key highlights from the install include:
- Fast-track agility: The HP Indigo 200K reduced Honggan’s delivery time from seven days to just two, while minimising waste and enabling low-inventory, on-demand production.
- Empowering SMEs: Honggan has shifted its focus from large-scale output to agile, SME-oriented packaging strategies that offer high customisation and quick turnarounds.
- Smart future roadmap: The company is rolling out HP PrintOS, RFID solutions, and eco-friendly materials, with long-term plans to expand into Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
- Sustainability commitment: Honggan has joined the HP Planet Partners Recycling Programme and plans to adopt recyclable mono-materials and digital twin quality assurance systems.
“China has been one of the leading countries for us in labels and shows a good acceptance of the Indigo technology,” Lotan said.
“The main challenges that we previously noticed in China, that impacted the way we designed our products, was 1. the need for data processing and digital content that has resulted in more computing power in our platform today, and 2. colour management, accuracy, and repeatability, especially for customers with multiple sites that must serve the same brand across sites.
“We’ve identified these needs quickly and incorporated them into our designs. They have been very productive for HP Indigo customers in China, especially as they expand into new verticals of play. The fmcg, beverage, high-end tobacco, liquor, and cosmetics markets have skyrocketed here, and the HP Indigo technologies allow them to see the benefits of digital for these industries.”
HP Indigo is distributed in A/NZ through Currie Group.
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