The six-colour, 1,200 dpi HP Latex 3500 can produce 180sqm/hr in two-pass billboard mode down to 27sqm/hr in 18-pass backlit mode and can handle rolls up to 300kg.It uses 10 litre-ink cartridges.

The first 3500 has been sold to UK-based PressOn, which has been beta-testing the technology since November, with managing director Andy Wilson signing for the machine at Fespa.

While the HP Latex 3100 boasts the same speeds and output quality, it uses 5l ink cartridges and can only handle rolls up to 160kg.

Xavier Garcia, HP vice-president and general manager, Large-format Sign & Display Division said the new machines continue the main value proposition of the Latex technology: output quality and flexibility.

“But when you really want the most efficient production with the minimum number of interventions, then 3500 is the perfect, no compromise solution,” he added.

The 3100 replaces the 3000, which was launched two years ago. HP has more than 26,000 Latex printers installed worldwide.

Pricing for the 3100 will be broadly inline with its predecessor, while pricing for the 3500 was unavailable.

Both machines are available for order immediately, with limited shipping expected to begin in August and full availability from October.

The company has also used Fespa to announce the new 1,000sqm/hr HP Scitex Corrugated Press, which uses the recently launched Corrugated Grip system for better media handling and HDR230 inkset.

It’s targeted at highly decorated boxes and display applications. The 17000 can handle sheets up to 1.6x3.2m and 25mm thick.

“More than 2bn sqm of display printed are printed globally and we’re already selling a lot of presses to customers that are printed on corrugated material,” said Garcia.

“But what we needed to be more competitive and to capture more volume from analogue was more speed but at the established Scitex high quality. We have both with the 17000” he added.

As with the new Latex models, the 17000 will begin limited shipping in August and will be fully available from October. While the 17000 will not be at Fespa, its sibling, the HP Scitex 11000, is being shown running Smart Coat Technology in hall 9.