HP's Multi-Format Designjet 120 Aids Concept Proofing

For creative professionals striving to output professional-looking previews of their designs, Hewlett-Packard has introduced the HP Designjet 120 printing system.

Equipped with an assortment of media-handling options, the six-color, the 2400-dpi, 24-in. wide printer can output designs ranging from postcards and book covers to posters and 2 x 3 ft. multi-page proofs. Designs can be output on coated, photo and glossy papers in media weights of up to 80 lbs.

The standard tray can hold up to 100 sheets of common and custom size papers up to tabloid+ size. A front bypass slot can hold cut-sheet media up to 24 in. wide; a rear bypass slot can feed rigid media up to 80 lbs. in weight or .0155 in. thick. An optional automatic roll feed can be used to print on rolls of media 24 in. wide and 50 ft. long. The automatic roll feed makes it possible for designers to switch between pre-loaded media types and sizes without intervention.

Adding to the printer's functionality in concept proofing is its automatic closed-loop color calibration system, with a built-in color sensor to maximize color consistency. An optional HP software RIP supports true Adobe PostScript workflows for CMYK printing and Mac OX and Windows operating system. According to Don Walker, general manager of print workflow products for Adobe Systems, the HP Designjet 120 provides a continuous, seamless workflow for Adober Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign users.

The RIP also supports Pantone? color calibration, Apple ColorSync and ICC color emulation standards, and several international offset press simulations (EuroScale, SWOP, DIC, JMPA and TOYO).

Print speeds vary, depending on requirements. Tabloid-size proofs can be output at a rate of 4 minutes per page in the Best mode. A 2 x 3 ft. image can be generated in under six minutes in the Normal mode. In the Fast mode, the printer can generate 8.5 letter-size pages.

Other features of the Designjet 120 include individually replaceable ink cartridges and printheads. and support for parallel and USB connections. The HP Jetdirect print-server card supplied with the network-ready version provides Fast Ethernet networking with a data transmission speed of up to 4.5 MB/sec.

The HP Designjet 120 lists for $1295 for individual users, and $1895 for the network-ready version for workgroup use. Available media options include HP Proofing Gloss, HP Proofing Semi-Gloss, HP Proofing Matte and HP Coated Paper. (Hewlett-Packard: www.designjet.hp.com)