2024年10月29日发(作者：淳于新曦)
HP Latex 300, 500, 1500 and 3000 Printer Series
May 2017
Printing on polyester films with HP Latex printers
Polyester films (PET films) can be used to fulfill a great variety of Sign & Display applications such as roll-
ups or light boxes.
This document provides tips and tricks for getting the best results when printing on PET film with your HP
Latex 110, 300, 500, 1500 or 3000 printer series.
Some common types of PET films are:
Backlit PET films: translucent materials to be used with rear illumination. They provide a high quality
alternative for light boxes applications. High ink amounts are used to achieve excellent color
saturation.
Frontlit PET films: commonly used in Roll-up or Pop-up displays, they represent a more rigid
alternative to PVC banners, papers or textiles. Many substrates include a colored back side to block
light.
Transparent PET films: similar to other PET films but without any whitening agent, they are used in
applications such as window graphics.
Lightjet/Duratrans PET films: designed for digital chromogenic printing (non-inkjet) for fine art
photographic applications. High cost due to the composition of the material (including silver salts).
Polycarbonate films: common in fields such as construction or food industry. They can have a
similar look-and-feel to PET Films and are becoming a popular alternative in large format printing.
1
HP Media Solutions Locator
Visit the HP Media Solutions Locator (/ml/#/medialocator) to obtain ready-to-use profiles
for a new substrate, or to discover new media compatible with your HP Latex printer. Learn how to make
the most out of the HP Media Solutions Locator looking at the following article.
You may also access and download the profiles directly from your printer (see the printer’s User guide).
You may fine-tune the profile to your specific requirements and preferences, if necessary.
Recommended print modes
The generic print modes, available in the printer by default, provide an optimal balance between image
quality and throughput. Nonetheless, the printer provides advanced operators with the flexibility to adjust
and fine-tune settings, if necessary.
In this case, it is recommended to maintain the ratio between speed and ink quantity, as too fast and/or too
saturated print modes can lead to lack of curing, media deformation and condensations on the printer.
Printer
HP Latex 110
HP Latex 300 series
HP Latex 500 series
HP Latex 1500
HP Latex 3000 series
To select a different print mode or edit the print settings, create a new media (or clone a generic profile) and
perform the desired changes on the newly created substrate.
Recommended print modes
Frontlit
6-pass, 80% ink
8-pass, 100% ink
10-pass, 100% ink
6-pass, 100% ink
8-pass, 120% ink
8-pass, 100% ink
Backlit
16-pass, 170% ink
20-pass, 185% ink
12-pass, 230% ink
14-pass, 260% ink
14-pass, 200% ink
18-pass, 230% ink
1
IQ and Application Tips and Tricks
Print durability
Latex inks require PET films to be coated for inkjet printing in order to adhere to the substrate’s surface.
When using uncoated substrates, or with very thin coating, the prints are easily damaged by scratches. Also,
there is a higher risk of ink transfer to the surfaces in contact with the print, such as the light box screen or
the back-side of rolled substrates.
Latex inks have very good adhesion on water-based coated substrates, and on most solvent-based coated
ones. UV-coated materials, on the other side, usually have thin coatings and are less recommended for
Latex inks.
The durability of the print also depends highly on the resistance of the coating to external factors. Water-
based coatings (and some thick solvent-based ones) are often easier to scratch than standard solvent-
based coatings. Moreover, water-based coatings get damaged when in contact with water. So consider
laminating these products after printing, especially when the prints will be placed outdoors.
Surface dryness
HP Latex inks should come out fully dry directly after printing. Nonetheless, when using excessive ink
amounts with low temperatures and/or fast throughputs, saturated areas, such as dark colors in backlit
prints, may show a greasy surface.
Solvent-coated or UV-coated media are more likely to show areas with greasy surfaces than water-based
coatings, which, provided their high liquid absorption capacity, do not show this effect.
Placing a tissue paper between samples avoids this effect from appearing while protects the prints from
potential damages during handling. It is also recommended to install the prints in the final location within
48 hours after printing.
Moreover, the following recommendations should be followed if a greasy surface is observed on the prints:
1. Ensure that you are operating the printer within the optimal print quality environmental
specifications:
Temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
Relative humidity: 30% to 60%.
Temperature gradient: 10°C/h (18°F/h) or less.
2. Increase the number of passes: a high number of passes is strongly recommended for most backlit
PET prints (e.g. 18 passes in the HP Latex 3000 series).
3. Increase the drying power and curing temperature.
4. Reduce the ink density: no more than the maximum ink for the generic print mode is recommended.
You may use the Generic PET film settings (available in your HP Latex 3000 series printer) as a reference.
1
Substrate flatness
Some PET films tend to expand under high temperatures, generating waves that may be visible to the naked
eye right after printing.
However, this kind of deformation is minimized when the printed images are installed vertically and viewed
perpendicularly. Rear illumination and some tension (as the one the prints would experience in a light box)
should make the prints look totally flat even if certain deformation might have been noticed while printing.
Moreover, in order to minimize the substrate’s deformation, please follow these recommendations:
1. Ensure that you are operating the printer within the optimal print quality environmental
specifications:
Temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
Relative humidity: 30% to 60%.
Temperature gradient: 10°C/h (18°F/h) or less.
2. Reduce the curing temperature. 85°C is the recommended value for most PET backlit films,
although lower values may also be used.
In order to ensure that the images are completely cured, you may need to decrease the ink
saturation and increase the number of passes (e.g. 18 passes and 230% or less in the HP
Latex 3000 series).
3. Reduce the tension and vacuum values. The recommended settings in case deformation is
observed are:
Input tension: 30 N/m.
Output tension: 30 N/m (in the HP Latex 1500 and 3000 series).
Vacuum: 10 mm H
2
O.
Recommended substrates
Among the backlit PET films tested by HP, the substrates that provide the best combination of durability,
lack of greasy surface and deformation are the Natura ES690 and the CMA Perfect Trans.
Other substrates available proven compatible are included in the HP Media Solutions locator, together with
the corresponding recommended print settings.
Polycarbonate substrates
Polycarbonate films such as Tekra JetView Latex White Matte/Gloss are becoming a popular alternative to
PET films. These products show very good compatibility with the Latex inks, providing a very good IQ (color
saturation and white point), durability, low deformation levels and no greasy surfaces.
Although some gloss differences may be visible when viewing front lit images, these are not noticeable
when using back lighting (e.g. in a lightbox).
1
2024年10月29日发(作者：淳于新曦)
HP Latex 300, 500, 1500 and 3000 Printer Series
May 2017
Printing on polyester films with HP Latex printers
Polyester films (PET films) can be used to fulfill a great variety of Sign & Display applications such as roll-
ups or light boxes.
This document provides tips and tricks for getting the best results when printing on PET film with your HP
Latex 110, 300, 500, 1500 or 3000 printer series.
Some common types of PET films are:
Backlit PET films: translucent materials to be used with rear illumination. They provide a high quality
alternative for light boxes applications. High ink amounts are used to achieve excellent color
saturation.
Frontlit PET films: commonly used in Roll-up or Pop-up displays, they represent a more rigid
alternative to PVC banners, papers or textiles. Many substrates include a colored back side to block
light.
Transparent PET films: similar to other PET films but without any whitening agent, they are used in
applications such as window graphics.
Lightjet/Duratrans PET films: designed for digital chromogenic printing (non-inkjet) for fine art
photographic applications. High cost due to the composition of the material (including silver salts).
Polycarbonate films: common in fields such as construction or food industry. They can have a
similar look-and-feel to PET Films and are becoming a popular alternative in large format printing.
1
HP Media Solutions Locator
Visit the HP Media Solutions Locator (/ml/#/medialocator) to obtain ready-to-use profiles
for a new substrate, or to discover new media compatible with your HP Latex printer. Learn how to make
the most out of the HP Media Solutions Locator looking at the following article.
You may also access and download the profiles directly from your printer (see the printer’s User guide).
You may fine-tune the profile to your specific requirements and preferences, if necessary.
Recommended print modes
The generic print modes, available in the printer by default, provide an optimal balance between image
quality and throughput. Nonetheless, the printer provides advanced operators with the flexibility to adjust
and fine-tune settings, if necessary.
In this case, it is recommended to maintain the ratio between speed and ink quantity, as too fast and/or too
saturated print modes can lead to lack of curing, media deformation and condensations on the printer.
Printer
HP Latex 110
HP Latex 300 series
HP Latex 500 series
HP Latex 1500
HP Latex 3000 series
To select a different print mode or edit the print settings, create a new media (or clone a generic profile) and
perform the desired changes on the newly created substrate.
Recommended print modes
Frontlit
6-pass, 80% ink
8-pass, 100% ink
10-pass, 100% ink
6-pass, 100% ink
8-pass, 120% ink
8-pass, 100% ink
Backlit
16-pass, 170% ink
20-pass, 185% ink
12-pass, 230% ink
14-pass, 260% ink
14-pass, 200% ink
18-pass, 230% ink
1
IQ and Application Tips and Tricks
Print durability
Latex inks require PET films to be coated for inkjet printing in order to adhere to the substrate’s surface.
When using uncoated substrates, or with very thin coating, the prints are easily damaged by scratches. Also,
there is a higher risk of ink transfer to the surfaces in contact with the print, such as the light box screen or
the back-side of rolled substrates.
Latex inks have very good adhesion on water-based coated substrates, and on most solvent-based coated
ones. UV-coated materials, on the other side, usually have thin coatings and are less recommended for
Latex inks.
The durability of the print also depends highly on the resistance of the coating to external factors. Water-
based coatings (and some thick solvent-based ones) are often easier to scratch than standard solvent-
based coatings. Moreover, water-based coatings get damaged when in contact with water. So consider
laminating these products after printing, especially when the prints will be placed outdoors.
Surface dryness
HP Latex inks should come out fully dry directly after printing. Nonetheless, when using excessive ink
amounts with low temperatures and/or fast throughputs, saturated areas, such as dark colors in backlit
prints, may show a greasy surface.
Solvent-coated or UV-coated media are more likely to show areas with greasy surfaces than water-based
coatings, which, provided their high liquid absorption capacity, do not show this effect.
Placing a tissue paper between samples avoids this effect from appearing while protects the prints from
potential damages during handling. It is also recommended to install the prints in the final location within
48 hours after printing.
Moreover, the following recommendations should be followed if a greasy surface is observed on the prints:
1. Ensure that you are operating the printer within the optimal print quality environmental
specifications:
Temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
Relative humidity: 30% to 60%.
Temperature gradient: 10°C/h (18°F/h) or less.
2. Increase the number of passes: a high number of passes is strongly recommended for most backlit
PET prints (e.g. 18 passes in the HP Latex 3000 series).
3. Increase the drying power and curing temperature.
4. Reduce the ink density: no more than the maximum ink for the generic print mode is recommended.
You may use the Generic PET film settings (available in your HP Latex 3000 series printer) as a reference.
1
Substrate flatness
Some PET films tend to expand under high temperatures, generating waves that may be visible to the naked
eye right after printing.
However, this kind of deformation is minimized when the printed images are installed vertically and viewed
perpendicularly. Rear illumination and some tension (as the one the prints would experience in a light box)
should make the prints look totally flat even if certain deformation might have been noticed while printing.
Moreover, in order to minimize the substrate’s deformation, please follow these recommendations:
1. Ensure that you are operating the printer within the optimal print quality environmental
specifications:
Temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
Relative humidity: 30% to 60%.
Temperature gradient: 10°C/h (18°F/h) or less.
2. Reduce the curing temperature. 85°C is the recommended value for most PET backlit films,
although lower values may also be used.
In order to ensure that the images are completely cured, you may need to decrease the ink
saturation and increase the number of passes (e.g. 18 passes and 230% or less in the HP
Latex 3000 series).
3. Reduce the tension and vacuum values. The recommended settings in case deformation is
observed are:
Input tension: 30 N/m.
Output tension: 30 N/m (in the HP Latex 1500 and 3000 series).
Vacuum: 10 mm H
2
O.
Recommended substrates
Among the backlit PET films tested by HP, the substrates that provide the best combination of durability,
lack of greasy surface and deformation are the Natura ES690 and the CMA Perfect Trans.
Other substrates available proven compatible are included in the HP Media Solutions locator, together with
the corresponding recommended print settings.
Polycarbonate substrates
Polycarbonate films such as Tekra JetView Latex White Matte/Gloss are becoming a popular alternative to
PET films. These products show very good compatibility with the Latex inks, providing a very good IQ (color
saturation and white point), durability, low deformation levels and no greasy surfaces.
Although some gloss differences may be visible when viewing front lit images, these are not noticeable
when using back lighting (e.g. in a lightbox).
1