HP is rolling out a new printhead design for HP PageWide C500 Press customers, extending performance with ink savings per board to deliver improved economics as well as enhanced print quality. The printheads are now being installed as an upgrade for all HP C500 digital corrugated customers worldwide.

The new color printheads enable higher performance thanks to an improved nozzle architecture delivering image quality for HP PageWide C500 converters. In addition, the new design delivers ink savings and extends the lifespan of consumables.

LIC Packaging of Italy, building a high-volume digital business with the HP PageWide C500, is operating the press with the new printheads.

“Thanks to the HP PageWide C500 technology, we can convert offset jobs while maintaining high quality, equivalent to what our customers are used to receive from our litho-lamination process. We can consistently keep required brand colors, printing direct to board,” said Piero Bertoldo, Director at LIC Packaging.

“The C500 print quality is always one of our differentiators from our competition. With the new print heads, print is noticeably sharper, and colors are even more vibrant,” said Richard Brown, president The BoxMaker. “Our digital corrugated business based on the C500 is growing in volume with the ability to cost-effectively deliver a large number of jobs daily to our customers.”

Since its launch in 2018, HP has developed the HP PageWide C500 press platform while supporting worldwide early customers launching digital production.

“As we strive for our customers’ success at digital production, we are constantly working to implement improvements to boost press performance,” said Niv Ishay, worldwide marketing manager, HP PageWide Industrial Corrugated. “We launched the C500 as a solution to fit mainstream production. Now the rollout of the new printheads will help bring improved economics to digitally printed corrugated packaging.”

Breakthrough water-based print technology

The HP PageWide C500 employs thermal inkjet technology, designed for high print quality in demanding production environments, printing at 246 linear ft/min (75m/min) in 1200 npi resolution using one million nozzles. The C500’s unique Corrugated Grip technology delivers precise handling of industry- grade boards for smooth production, while Virtual Belt technology delivers accurate media motion.

In addition, HP’s water-based inks are odorless and free of UV-reactive chemistries, enabling a wide range of packaging applications, including primary and secondary packaging for sensitive uses such as food and personal care while requiring no additional barriers. The inks can comply with even the most stringent global food safety regulations, including Nestlé guidance and Swiss Ordinance.