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HP Latex Vs Epson, views & opinions on these printers please?
Had a demo on both machines today.
The Epson Printer is a better Printer for quality, faster & slightly cheaper to run. But it’s bundled with a Summa plotter & software seems awkward for print & cut jobs.HP Latex is slower but dry instantly & great for labels & wraps (with some outgassing) the print & cut system seems simply & dummy proof for staff to use.
All opinions welcome. Going to order this week.
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24 Replies
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what epsom printer and what latex?
whats the core of the business you are wanting to service with your purchase?
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The Epson 60600 that is the CYMK double head machine has amazing speed with Summa plotter
The HP Latex 335 with separate HP Plotter(Summa Rebadged)
We cover a lot of areas:
1)We have a busy front counter with our location, CCTV Signs, Private Property etc Corri & diabond
2) We do a lot of vehicle wraps so the HP drying time is appealing here although I was very impressed with the Epson drying time today but solvents need outgassed as per media guidelines.
3) Shop windows, rebrands, floor, wall graphics etc.All parts of the business are as equally busy so all need to be served by this Printer. My old Mimaki has served us well over the last 7 years Printing 10hour Days 6 Days a week. Disappointed the new UV mimakis are not approved for vehicle wraps as they seem a great machine.
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Hi Bernard, I have very recently purchased the HP 315 package and so far had no problems at all.
Also run a CJV Mimaki alongside it for posters,banners etc.
Both are great in their own right but I have to lean toward the latex for its versatility and flexibility.
Coming off the machine dry and ready to use is a big bonus, and with so many latex friendly media’s now available, I can’t really see me using anything else in the foreseeable future -
The HP 315 is bound to be a lot slower than the Mimaki?? Was production time improved with the Latex prints being instant dry?? How are you finding print consistency with the Latex??
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What software was it that seemed complicated? Ultimately the software could be changed to something more simple?? I’ve been weighing up weather to stick with latex or move to the Epsom… think I’ll be going Epsom 80600
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It was a onyx rip but the summa was run off a separate rip so from what I think the file has to be exported from summa rip with reg marks etc & then imported into the printers onyx rip as a PDF. The HP you just size & send to both Printer & plotter at the same time. The Epson is a real rapid Printer. I think the Latex for my wrap prints is better.
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Hi Bernard, I purchased a 80600 not to long ago and love it. I was actually going to do a post today to say how happy i am with it as ive been playing around and testing out new media today.
For me it would be Epson all the way :claps: :claps:
Thanks Neil D.
quote Bernard Gallagher:Had a demo on both machines today.
The Epson Printer is a better Printer for quality, faster & slightly cheaper to run. But it’s bundled with a Summa plotter & software seems awkward for print & cut jobs.HP Latex is slower but dry instantly & great for labels & wraps (with some outgassing) the print & cut system seems simply & dummy proof for staff to use.
All opinions welcome. Going to order this week.
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Neil are you printing wraps on it??
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quote Bernard Gallagher:Neil are you printing wraps on it??
Yes, we let it degas for 6 hours min as advised by epson, In reality its 24hrs as we print in advance of the clients vehicle arriving. We always advise turnaround times in advance – same day just leads to mistakes and rushing the job.
Anything else you would like to know just ask. :thumbsup:
Neil D.
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quote Luke Culpin:What software was it that seemed complicated? Ultimately the software could be changed to something more simple?? I’ve been weighing up weather to stick with latex or move to the Epsom… think I’ll be going Epsom 80600
Luke, you have your demo yet or is that soon coming? :smiles:
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Have you tried laminating after a 3-4 hours to test if it does actually outgas quicker than normal solvents?
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quote Jon Marshall:Have you tried laminating after a 3-4 hours to test if it does actually outgas quicker than normal solvents?
Yes we do our 3×3 pop ups almost instantly and we have not had any problems, Its just our car wraps that we leave for a min of 6 hours as i dont know why anyone would need to instantly wrap a car it just seems like poor management if your rushing to wrap anything. That’s why ive never got why latex advertise this!? If i ever wrap anything instantly that means something has gone drastically wrong!.
Are you looking at getting one Jon? or just curious. They are great machines. :thumbsup:
Thanks Neil D.
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Agreed if it’s commercial vans & cars yeah it can be planned. We do a lot of rally cars so u can have the car fully wrapped perfect no pressure maybe even a spare bumper & client goes for test drive of his £300k car & hits the side. It has to be replaced ASAP to get the car to the rally. Client doesn’t Car about the process he just wants the result & pays accordingly. Or the second common issue is the owner gets a new sponsor last minute, it’s always last minute with rally cars! Also it will be easier to train staff to wrap. Only way is practice but u don’t want them messing up a solvent print that takes 24hours to get ready.
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Oh…No
Been for a quick demo on a Summa cutter today and spent more time looking at the 315 and 335 HP latex machines.
Really impressed with the quality of colour and print on the HP. Not so the heat it gave off.
I have been offered a good deal, I don’t have the room to keep my Roland and have the HP or have the amount of work to warrant two machines.
Love my Roland, and I have in mind the cost to run the HP over say a traditional solvent printers. My Roland being an older machine is cheap to run.
So I would like views from new owners too on living with a latex machine. -
We currently run a latex 265, granted that’s a slightly older model now. Although I have always loved the machine, the heat it gives off has limited me on occasions. Certain materials won’t print, others will print but will stretch out of Place slightly. I strongly believe that the Epsom will solve these issue and deliver a better print quality! It’s also cheaper to run, and has the bonus of white & metallic ink! Finally it is far cheaper to buy than a top end latex machine!
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quote Neil Danley:quote Jon Marshall:Have you tried laminating after a 3-4 hours to test if it does actually outgas quicker than normal solvents?
Yes we do our 3×3 pop ups almost instantly and we have not had any problems, Its just our car wraps that we leave for a min of 6 hours as i dont know why anyone would need to instantly wrap a car it just seems like poor management if your rushing to wrap anything. That’s why ive never got why latex advertise this!? If i ever wrap anything instantly that means something has gone drastically wrong!.
Are you looking at getting one Jon? or just curious. They are great machines. :thumbsup:
Thanks Neil D.
Yes, had a demo and was very impressed. But the claimed drying times…not so sure. I cut strips from the prints after 7-8 hours and they curled up on themselves and the black ink still smelt strongly of solvent. It wasn’t until 24-30 hours later I’d say it was properly outgassed.
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Yes, had a demo and was very impressed. But the claimed drying times…not so sure. I cut strips from the prints after 7-8 hours and they curled up on themselves and the black ink still smelt strongly of solvent. It wasn’t until 24-30 hours later I’d say it was properly outgassed.[/quote]
Hi Jon
That’s certainly not my experience. Perhaps it was monomeric vinyl rather than polymeric or cast? We had a demo at Epson and they used a standard mono vinyl which is fine for foamex or cheap stickers – they won’t be used on vehicles anyway. It holds up well on all media so perhaps its just a cheaper media for demos?
I think because it has a huge heat plate its warming the media more and that’s the smell – I’ve just sniffed a dark backlit poster and its fine. It has all the certifications required so it’s not going to be outgassing if its passed them? I had to use the certificates for a school installation :thumbsup:
One of the main reasons we bought it was because its got “same day” laminating and I can say we have had no issues on anything. Media curling won’t be the ink, it’ll be the media.
If you would like for me to do a print test for you to calm your concerns im more than happy to. Just let me know.
Thanks
Neil D.
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Hi Neil
These were prints done on Avery cast…60600 machine
If you look at this pic the red is curling quite a bit, the black completely curls on itself and the unprinted white is fine….this was after about 7 hours. This would indicate to me that the print isn’t outgassed or is still saturated with ink?
The black print also smelt of solvent until after approx 26 hours.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the machine is excellent and I’d still consider it, just not sure about the drying claims and we sometimes do bus wraps which means printing a couple of full rolls at a time which as you can imagine, is pretty difficult to get dried sufficiently before laminating.
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quote Jon Marshall:Hi Neil
These were prints done on Avery cast…60600 machine
If you look at this pic the red is curling quite a bit, the black completely curls on itself and the unprinted white is fine….this was after about 7 hours. This would indicate to me that the print isn’t outgassed or is still saturated with ink?
The black print also smelt of solvent until after approx 26 hours.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the machine is excellent and I’d still consider it, just not sure about the drying claims and we sometimes do bus wraps which means printing a couple of full rolls at a time which as you can imagine, is pretty difficult to get dried sufficiently before laminating.
Hi Jon,
I would say that’s down to profiling and cheap media, Possibly too much ink has been laid down on the black, could be the reason for strong smell. I can tell you though with the right profile the only smell i have is heated media whats lovely change from what i used to have. I bet you was amazed when you saw the print speed!?. Did you see it print on 1 & 2 pass? :praiseyou: :yikes:
FYI We have done large vehicle wraps not buses however vans etc and use the take up reel (no sticking what so ever). If it will help any print tests you would like done just shout :thumbsup:
Thanks
Neil D. -
quote Neil Danley:quote Jon Marshall:Hi Neil
These were prints done on Avery cast…60600 machine
If you look at this pic the red is curling quite a bit, the black completely curls on itself and the unprinted white is fine….this was after about 7 hours. This would indicate to me that the print isn’t outgassed or is still saturated with ink?
The black print also smelt of solvent until after approx 26 hours.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the machine is excellent and I’d still consider it, just not sure about the drying claims and we sometimes do bus wraps which means printing a couple of full rolls at a time which as you can imagine, is pretty difficult to get dried sufficiently before laminating.
Hi Jon,
I would say that’s down to profiling and cheap media, Possibly too much ink has been laid down on the black, could be the reason for strong smell. I can tell you though with the right profile the only smell i have is heated media whats lovely change from what i used to have. I bet you was amazed when you saw the print speed!?. Did you see it print on 1 & 2 pass? :praiseyou: :yikes:
FYI We have done large vehicle wraps not buses however vans etc and use the take up reel (no sticking what so ever). If it will help any print tests you would like done just shout :thumbsup:
Thanks
Neil D.I’m pretty sure it was the correct profile and Avery cast is not a cheap film….I’m not really concerned about the material being touch dry when it goes to the take up, my JV33 is fine for that, more about proper outgassing and the material being fully dry for laminating.
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Just a update. Got my new HP335 & Hp/Summa plotter. Delighted with the print quality & plotter. Using the flexi sign \ production manager software & has been a disaster [emoji85] keeps freezing, cancelling jobs & closing down for no reason. Also nesting Jobs is a nightmare. Has anyone else any trouble or what RIP are people using??
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quote Bernard Gallagher:Just a update. Got my new HP335 & Hp/Summa plotter. Delighted with the print quality & plotter. Using the flexi sign \ production manager software & has been a disaster [emoji85] keeps freezing, cancelling jobs & closing down for no reason. Also nesting Jobs is a nightmare. Has anyone else any trouble or what RIP are people using??
I’m just placing an order for the 315 and cutter, did you get the RIP sorted or does it still crash?
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They switched me to another RIP which I’m not happy about because it doesn’t cut the stickers automatically from the barcode as advertised. Service man serviced it last week let it slip that everyone is haveing problems with flexisign & the HP [emoji85][emoji85]
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quote :They switched me to another RIP which I’m not happy about because it doesn’t cut the stickers automatically from the barcode as advertised. Service man serviced it last week let it slip that everyone is haveing problems with flexisign & the HP
Which RIP have they swapped you too? Use the Summa barcode server, should work fine….
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