With the End Comes a New Beginning

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Wide-format Market grows in Fourth Quarter

IDC’s latest overview saw the sector grow by 6.2% , with 77,000 units shipped in 3Q 2013.

The latest version of the Worldwide Quarterly Large Format Printer Tracker presented the market's growth, which is the first growth period "since the first quarter of 2011 where both units and shipments achieved year-over-year gains", according to the analysts.

The total market value for the third quarter of 2013 came to $802.8 million, which was an increase of 6.2% from the third quarter in 2012, with growth said to have been "fueled" by "solid demand" from both the United States and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) (APeJ) markets, with the USA seeing a unit increase of 16.5% and value increase of 8.4%, and the APeJ region seeing a 20.9% unit increase and 8.4% value increase as well.

Breaking down the wide-format industry into technical and graphic applications, the former segment grew by 5.7% to 45,900 units shipped, with a 59.1% share of the total market, "unchanged" from the previous year. Seven of eight regions saw growth in technical printing, with the MEA (Middle East and Africa) first with 23.8%, followed by the USA with 15.4% and Japan with 12.7%.

The graphics application segment also saw a unit increase of 6.9% to 31,800 units, a 40.9% share of the total market, with the APeJ and US markets among the four regions that saw growth in comparison to 2012, with 19.8% and 18% increases respectively. In turn, both Japan and the MEA saw increases over the results from 3Q 2012.

In terms of OEM share, HP remains first, with a share of 39.1% and 30,500 units shipped, a decline of 1.4%, though it saw growth in four regions, including the APeJ and US markets with 15% and 13.4% respectively. Epson ranked second, with a growth of 13.5% to 16,600 units shipped – a 21.4% market share, with double-digit growth in the US of 51.4%, the APeJ of 34.2%, Japan with 22.4%, and the MEA with 16.8%.

Canon placed third with unit increase of 12.4% to 16,400 units and a 21.1% share, with all regions growing except Western Europe, with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), APeJ and Canada each seeing an increase of 46.7%, 35.5 percent and 17.3% respectively. Roland held fourth place with 20.9% growth and 2,700 units shipped, with gains everywhere but Europe, including the MEA with 50 percent, APeJ with 45.7%, and Latin America with 45.1%.

Finally, Ricoh held fifth position, with two thousand units shipped for a share of 2.6%, with shipments increasing by 22.1% to make it the "best year-over-year performance", with growth in all regions except Latin America, including a growth of 3.8% in Japan, 45.1% in the US and 20.4% in the APeJ.

Phuong Hang, Programe Director for Worldwide Large Format Printer Tracker at IDC, stated: "Epson was one of the main growth engines in the APeJ market. The password encryption on Epson print heads benefited Epson itself, as well as Roland, Mimaki and Mutoh who OEM from Epson. The encryption was established in December 2012 and helped to prevent other Chinese brands from using Epson print heads to develop their own machines."

The Recycler previously reported that the global wide-format market is set to be worth $12.5 billion by 2016.

Source: Global wide-format market sees growth in final quarter

Epson Plans to Enter Ecommercial 3D Printing Market

President of OEM says Epson is to move beyond its traditional product range and is developing 3D printers for commercial applications.

The Age reported on an interview conducted by Fairfax Media in which Epson President Minoru Usui spoke of striving for originality and looking into new types of products, as he reportedly stated that other technology companies such as Apple and Samsung lack "originality".

Usui used the two companies' smartphone models as an example, commenting that "if you take them apart then you'll find that they're basically all using the same displays, they're using the same batteries, the same condensers, the same parts".

He then went on to assert that Epson plans to focus on "actual originality" and on creating "things that other companies simply cannot", listing wearable technology and 3D printing as areas of interest for the company.

In terms of 3D printers, Usui explained that Epson would be focused on commercial applications for large-scale production environments rather than models aimed at the consumer market, which he described as "niche" and "very limited" due to the types of materials they can use to create objects. He added that he did not expect the consumer 3D printing market to become "all that big" and believes that interest in the market would be "temporary", claiming that it had been encouraged by a speech made by US President Obama in February in which 3D printing was mentioned.

Usui also talked about Epson"s foray into the wearable technology market, which he said would be "a big area of expansion" for the company. "We’re aiming to create products that will be able to illustrate what’s happening inside your body […] so you can track changes over time," he said. "As far as I’m aware there are no products on the market today that can achieve this by simply just using sensors."

Lightweight, augmented reality headgear is another area that Epson is focused on, with Usui claiming that "the scope for products like this is immense in various applications".

Usui said: "I don’t want Epson to be just known as a printer maker or projector maker […] I want to take it to be a company [that] understands [what] people in different areas of the world want."

Source: Epson to enter commercial 3D printing market

"Dream Printer" for Children from Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta announced its "dream printer" project under the "Giving Shape to Ideas" concept. The new video features children telling a unique printer what they dream of becoming in the future. Magically these children are able to see what they could look like if they follow their dreams.

"We wanted to encourage children by showing them that the more you imagine, the more your dreams take shape," said Yuki Kobayashi, General Manager of Konica Minolta’s CSR, Corporate Communications & Branding Division. "Children dream about what they want to be when they grow up, but they eventually lose sight of those dreams. Konica Minolta believes that children can realize those ambitions by imagining their dreams and focusing on them specifically, so we decided to help children shape their dreams, based on the idea "The more you imagine, the more your dreams take shape." We are happy to celebrate children, and to take it a step further to help them visualize their dreams with the "dream printer."

In the video, filmed in Gantry Plaza State Park in New York, while children run around and play, the children meet with the "dream printer." Watch the surprised faces of the children, as the printer asks them what they imagine themselves being in the future. Within minutes of telling the printer their dream, the children receive an illustration that depicts this, showing them that their dream can come true. As night falls, the printer"s true self is revealed.

Konica Minolta has implemented a variety of projects that embody the concept of "Giving Shape to Ideas," with the "dream printer" and accompanying video as the newest initiative. The Group understands the problems customers face from the customer's perspective and creates new values by bringing ideas into shape. Konica Minolta will continue to create innovative products, services and solutions that bring joy, give surprise and stir emotions for businesses and everyday lives across the world.

Source: Konica Announces ‘Dream Printer’ Project for Children

Printers Were Sent from Hell!

Epson releases Google-linked device

Consumer Electronics Net reported first on the US release of the Epson Expression Premium XP-610, a "small-in-one" inkjet machine that can wirelessly connect to Google Chromebook laptops for printing, scanning and other functions. The machine, set to be exclusively available at US retailer Best Buy, also offers cloud functionality.

The printer is the "first […] to integrate" with Chromebooks in such a way, with Epson America’s Patrick Chen, Product Manager of Mobile Connectivity, stating: "Working closely with Google, we've made it easier than ever to setup and then print from your Chromebook no matter where you are. Chromebooks are one of the fastest growing segments of the PC industry and expanding wireless printing convenience directly enhances creativity and productivity for home, school and business users."

Manila Standard Today meanwhile reported on the launch of two Epson wide-format sign printers in the Philippines, both of which utilize 1.5 litre high-capacity ink tanks. The SureColor SC-B6070 and SCB7070 feature sizes of 44 inches and 64 inches respectively, and are said by the OEM to be used for "high quality indoor signage printing" using its dye-based inks.

The tanks "can be refilled even while the printers are in operation", Epson notes, and "represent a superior solution to third-party ink tanks that are not made by the original printer manufacturer". The OEM has also noted that "there is no warranty coverage for their installation or else when non-original inks cause damage", with both machines utilizing Epson’s Micro Piezo thin film printhead.

Other features included in the two machines are a print resolution of 1440 x 1400 dpi, as well as print speeds of up to 69.5 square metres per hour. The ink tanks also feature filters "to prevent contamination of the printhead", and the machines also utilize a "low ink level warning system" to prevent misprints. The SC-B6070 and SC-B7070 are available for Php 340,900 ($7,793) and Php 799,900 ($18,270) respectively.

Source: Epson releases Google-linked device and new wide-format machines

Okay, let's see who got it right this time?

Sharp and HP are Likely to Enter Copier Manufacturing Partnership

Sharp is rumored to possibly get an OEM deal with HP to make copier machines. The two OEMs are said to be planning to also work on toner and other copier supplies.

Chicago Tribune reported on the rumors from "a source familiar with the matter", which outlined that Sharp "may get" an OEM (original equipment manufacturing) deal to manufacture copier machines under HP’s brand.

The source noted that "supply of copiers to [HP] could begin as early as the second half of the current business year" ending in March 2014, and declined to be identified "because a formal deal had yet to be signed" by the two OEMs.

The rumors come after Samsung’s attempts to co-opt Sharp’s printer and copier businesses with its own, starting with it becoming Sharp’s largest shareholder and buying a stake in Sharp. Sharp rejected the offer from Samsung to buy both its printer and copier units before calling off the fledging joint copier business plans that Samsung had suggested.

Further more Japan Times reported on potential details of a partnership between Sharp and HP. The new details include the provision set by Sharp that "some of its digital copiers" manufactured for HP would be "for sale under its name", as well as Sharp "consider[ing] working with HP on toners and other supplies".

Sharp reportedly aims to "expand production of copiers to make up for its losses in the liquid crystal business", whilst HP "seeks to enhance its product line-up by adding Sharp’s copiers", which can print up to A3-size in comparison to HP’s A4-size devices.

Source: The Recycler Magazine

HP Releases New Version of Consumables App

The third version of the SureSupply app allows mobile users to search for replacement cartridges.

IT Business reported on the release of the newest version of the application, which is free for mobile users and allows them to search for and order new consumables "on the go". The app was previously called eSupplies, and has been rebranded after two years to "make it easier for HP customers to identify the cartridges they need for their printers, and to place an order right away".

Whilst the app does not allow for in-app purchasing, it "does show different prices from the list of resellers", and once a consumer decides what they want, they are "transferred to the reseller’s website and can then finish the transaction from there". The HP’s developers noted that the app has been redesigned to simplify the process for marketers "to send special offers to existing HP customers", with the ability to download the app, connect it to the printer over a wireless network, and then "get a read on when their printer is running low on different colors" or cartridges.

Customers in emerging markets that might be concerned as to the legitimacy of the cartridges they buy can also utilize the app, which allows them to scan a QR code on the side of the cartridge to check that it is an HP original. The OEM added that the app also makes it easier for customers to "search for a cartridge type simply by typing in a number, pulling up a list of resellers who carry that specific cartridge, and are located within a user’s country".

The app will be made available in 29 countries and 38 different languages, and is available in both Apple’s app store and Google’s Play store, with a beta set to be released at the end of November.

John Groden, Director of Supplies for Digital Assets at HP, stated: "The app allows for seamless repurchasing of ink and toner [and] with the ease of repurchase, it allows us to work with our existing global reseller base."

Source: HP releases new version of consumables app

Who will get the Cash?

Canon and Epson help relief efforts in the Philippines

Canon and Epson donate money to help relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

Both OEMs have expressed their condolences to those affected by the recent typhoon in the Philippines, which struck on 8 November and resulted in the loss of over 10,000 lives and the destruction of homes; with the companies donating money to help relief efforts being undertaken in the area.

Canon stated that it will donate ¥10 million ($100,359) to the cause, while ¥2 million ($45,903) will be donated by Epson through Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a local NPO.

A statement from Canon read: "We at Canon extend our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this catastrophe and our thoughts go out to the victims and their families. Although the road to recovery will be challenging and take time, we hope that the region will soon be able to begin the rebuilding and healing process".

Epson meanwhile stated: "Epson wishes to extend its sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, and hopes for the speedy recovery of the areas damaged by the disaster". The OEM added that it "will consider extending further support when the full effects of the typhoon are known."

Source: Canon and Epson support typhoon relief efforts

Veterans Day 2013

Anti-fraud Laser and Ink Technology Developed

Lasers can be printed onto variety of surfaces using an inkjet printer to help detect fraudulent products.

HNGN reported on the new anti-fraud technique developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, involving the printing of "liquid-crystal lasers" onto products to help tackle the issue of counterfeit goods, with the team able to "meticulously control" the laser’s color and pattern combinations using an inkjet printer.

"The detector takes advantage of this by shining a second, laser pulse on to the printed one," the university explained in a press release. "It then reads the wavelength of the light emission from the printed laser through a dedicated software, and reproduces that reading as a pattern on a spectrograph."

Fake currency and fraudulent pharmaceuticals are among the objects that the technology could potentially be used to detect; although it is claimed that the printers are able to be used on a wide range of products "because it is applicable on almost any surface".

Dr. Damian Gardiner, a researcher on the project, explained the reasons behind the development of the technology: "Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are sold fake pharmaceuticals under the mistaken belief that they will help them, while counterfeit products cost companies hundreds of billions of pounds […] We think that our printed lasers could be used to protect both products and people." Source: Anti-fraud laser technology developed

Thanksgiving Day Weather Contest

HP InkJet Cartridges Looking Like Chanel Perfume

Celeste Watson redesigned the packaging as a response to the environmental, ethical and financial issues she has with HP’s inkjet ink.

Complex reported on the redesigns by communications designer Celeste Watson, who has produced packaging for HP inkjet cartridges as if they were Chanel perfume. The boxes feature criticisms of the manufacturing methods, testing and composition of the inks on the back, with the remainder of the design a spin on Chanel’s No 5 perfume.

Watson stated that she came up with the idea as "a response to how absurdly priced household printer cartridges are", adding that "this project aims to resolve the current discrepancy between the price of the product and its packaging". The website notes that the packaging depicts how it would look if HP told consumers "what was in the printer ink", as well as how "it had been tested on animals and the effects the ink had on the environment".

Complex adds that Watson’s design "forces the consumer to consider the cost of such supplies" in terms of "environmental, ethical and financial" impact, and notes that by "refocusing the packaging to keep up with the cost of the liquid inside, the discrepancies are made bare in an ironically ornate fashion".

If you need to buy compatible & remanufactured printer supplies visit Priceless Ink & Toner Co.

Source: Designer rebrands HP inkjet cartridges as Chanel perfume

Happy Halloween!

Brother's New Compact Portable Printer

Brother has announced the launch of the PJ-673 portable printer, the latest addition to the OEM’s growing range of portable business printers, with the new model capable of printing documents up to A4 in size from tablets, smartphones and Windows laptops via a wireless or USB connection.

Noting the growing demand from organisations wanting their staff to be able to print whilst out in the field, Brother stated that the printer is ideal for emergency workers, sales reps, health workers and delivery drivers who can use it to print reports, invoices or receipts "on the spot" to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

The printer, which weighs just above 1 lb, can print documents up to A4 in size at resolutions of up to 300 dpi and speeds of up to 6 pages per minute using thermal printing technology, meaning that ink, toner and ribbons are not required. In terms of power, the device can run on rechargeable batteries or via AC or vehicle power kits.

The Brother PJ-673 is available now at a price of $579. For more info click here.

Source: Brother expands portable business printer range

HP Intends to Enter the 3D Printer Market

CEO Meg Whitman announced Hewlett Packard / HP aims to enter the 3D printer market in mid-2014.

The Register reported on Whitman's announcement to the Canalys Channels Forum in Bangkok that HP intends to enter the 3D printer market next year; with the OEM looking to develop technology that will make the 3D printing process faster and cheaper, as Whitman pointed out that "to print a bottle can take eight to 10 hours. That's all very interesting, but it is like watching ice melt".

HP will focus on providing 3D printing technology for service providers "to help them establish 3D printing bureaux", but it is yet unclear what form HP's 3D printing products will take.

"We are excited about 3D printing," said Whitman said. "We want to lead this business. HP labs is looking at it."

She added that "3D printing is in its infancy" but said that "it is a big opportunity and we are all over it. We will have something by the middle of next year".

While Whitman said that 3D printing is not expected to become a big business very quickly, she explained that "these businesses go along, get a little traction, go along, get a little more traction, then hit the knee of the curve", although she admitted that hitting the "knee of the curve" could take around three years.

We at Priceless Ink & Toner are proud to announce we will be soon offering 3D Printing Filaments as well!

Source: HP to enter 3D printer market

Mobile Printing is the Future

Analyst evaluates impacts of computing technology developments on the future of printing and the hard copy industry.

The report released by Photizo Group, titled The Future of Printing as Personal Computing Evolves, notes that mobile printing is currently one of the few growth markets in the printer industry and "shows great promise", but added that it is "no panacea" for the printer supplies stores and printing industry's challenges all together, particularly the diminishing desktop print volumes.

However, it stated that "the sooner the industry and mobile device vendors can simplify and universalize print functionality on smartphones and tablets, the faster mobile printing will grow", leading less users to find non-print alternatives for viewing and sharing documents.

The shift to mobile devices in the long run will, according to the report, "force users to develop new ways to manage and share documents", leaving printing to be "slowly squeezed" as digital methods of sharing and viewing documents get increasingly easier. It is also already quickening the transformation of paper-centric workflows to electronic business processes, which eliminate the need to print.

The results of the DWTAS 2013 US Office Worker Survey already showed that a large percentage of users do not need to print from their mobile devices, and those that do are mainly put off from printing due to a lack of awareness and the complexity of printing from smartphones and tablets.

The report from Photizo also looks at the forces driving computer technology, including hardware performance, device format, wearable computers, the computing environment, and new input technologies. The Group’s analysts then look at mobile printing solutions and printer-based apps; assessing whether vendors are keeping printing vital and what improvements need to be made in the future.

Ann Pride, Vice President of Consulting and Services at Photizo Group, commented: "Combined with a broad survey of current user thinking on the evolution of computers and computing devices, we have been able to evaluate how new developments in computing technology will impact the future of the hard copy industry. Our knowledge of printing and print habits allows us to develop a framework for evaluating how projected changes in computer technology will affect print."

Source: Photizo Group publishes report on the future of printing

Konica Minolta Speeds Output With Newest Monochrome bizhub MFP

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) announced the launch of the bizhub® 554e monochrome MFP. Featuring the award-winning INFO-Palette design, the bizhub 554e boasts advanced scanning capabilities for streamlined workflow and faster overall output.

In addition to print/copy speeds of 55 ppm, the Konica Minolta bizhub 554e includes a standard DF-701 Dual Scan Document Feeder that captures both sides of a document in a single pass at up to 160 originals per minute. Color and B&W originals can be scanned to multiple destinations or users, and standard PageScope software further streamlines workflow across all networked devices. In addition, TWAIN scanning from PCs is compatible with industry-standard scanning solutions for smoother integration in legal, educational and healthcare settings.

"For customers looking for fast, efficient output capabilities with intuitive workflow management, the bizhub 554e is an ideal solution," says Kevin Kern, senior vice president, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "By delivering more speed, more power and more information, the newest bizhub is another example of why customers can count on Konica Minolta for innovative document management solutions."

The bizhub 554e employs System on Chip (SoC) architecture, which helps it achieve power consumption rates among the lowest of any MFP in its class. Konica Minolta’s unique Eco-indicator enables users to monitor paper, toner and energy usage by device, account or user to promote greater environmental- and cost-consciousness. Konica Minolta’s exclusive Simitri® HD toner formulation uses biomass plant-based materials to further reduce environmental impact.

Visit our e-store for Konica Minolta printing supplies.

Source: Konica Minolta bizhub 554e Speeds Output With Newest Monochrome bizhub MFP

New Brother Printers Launched

3 new low cost laser toner printers designed to save money for those printing up to 500 pages per month and an A3 all-in-one range of inkjet printers targeted at mid-range office users seeking good connectivity options.

Brother has announced the launch of three new mono laser printers designed to be compact and affordable, with print speeds of 20 pages per minute and a 150 sheet paper tray reducing the need to replace paper as often.

The printers all feature LED control panels and have the option of using an "easy-to-replace" 1,000 page toner cartridge. They also boast a full speed USB 2.0 interface, print resolutions of up to 600 x 600 dpi, or 2400 x 600 dpi with Resolution Control, and take less than 18 seconds to warm up. In terms of power consumption, the devices use less than 380 Watts (W) when in operation, less than 40W when "ready", under 0.8W when in "sleep" mode and below 0.28W when in "deep sleep" mode.

The Brother HL-1110 compact mono laser printer is the lowest priced of the three printers at $105, with just a single print function and a 1GB memory.

Meanwhile the Brother DCP-1510 compact mono laser all-in-one printer, which costs $190, has the additional capabilities of scanning and copying as well as a larger 16MB memory and the ability to compress two or four pages onto a single A4 sheet to reduce paper consumption.

Finally, the $210 Brother MFC-1810 compact mono laser all-in-one printer offers the same functions and features as the first two devices and also has a 16MB memory, but offers further features including a 10 sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) and print, fax, scanning and copying functions, including multi-page scanning, copying and faxing options.

Brother also stated that the new devices feature the latest technology to ensure "the best" connectivity for mobile and tablet devices, as well as direct access to cloud services, with all the printers featuring wireless, USB and wired network connectivity in addition to smartphone and tablet printing options, for example Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.

The range features the first ever A3 printer with near-field communication (NFC), with users being able to print from and scan to an NFC-enabled mobile device using Brother’s iPrint&Scan app by holding the mobile device next to the printer. The OEM added that this option is ideal for use in areas where Wi-Fi connection is limited and for when users want to print and scan quickly and easily from their smartphones and tablets.

LCD screens and electrostatic keys are also featured in the range, enabling fast access to cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, Box, SkyDrive and Evernote so that users can print and scan directly from and to these programs.

Brother said that the new range "will help to consolidate our position as number on brand in the A3 inkjet market" and will cater for SMBs that tend to print up to 1,000 pages per month.

Visit Priceless Ink & Toner Company for Brother Printer Supplies

Source: The Recycler Magazine

Printer Ink Prices Expected to Rise

Increasing prices of raw materials will mean price hikes for inks and consumables, according to Flint Group.

Print Week reports on Flint Group’s warning that printers should expect ink and consumables prices to rise as the cost of certain raw materials increases, with Jan Paul van der Velde, Senior Vice President of Procurement at Flint Group, explaining that "different cost drivers are having different effects in different market segments", and that "the key issues revolve around publication inks, given the situation of rising process for gum rosin and crude oil based products".

He added that in the first half of 2013, as many raw materials went up in price as came down, with crude currently trading at around $110 per barrel – above the level forecast at the end of 2012. The price of materials in the base chemical markets, such as benzene, styrene, toluene and xylene, which are used for pigments and resins, also continued to rise during 2013 "despite low demand in these markets".

"Looking at third quarter developments, we have witnessed significant changes in some of our key markets since June and July with crude oil, gum rosin and pigments being among the key areas affected," said van der Velde.

The increasing price of oil has affected packaging and logistics as well as ink cartridges, with gum rosin prices in China escalating "dramatically" from July resulting in a 40% increase impacting on pigments.

Van der Velde said that "it is likely that prices will remain at the current levels or potentially even increase until such time as the next crop is harvested" due to the low stocks of crude gum rosin, adding that the conditions are "very similar to the situation in 2011 which resulted in gum rosin being traded at up to $3,500 per metric ton".

The significant increases in pigment costs, according to van der Velde, have "mainly been driven by the ongoing and increasingly stricter enforcement of environmental rules in China and India" – both for pigment suppliers and the suppliers of base chemicals for pigment production.

"It is clear the ink industry is again being confronted with the rising cost of raw materials and it does not look like this will quickly disappear. The result of these rising costs to some of the key raw material markets will inevitably have an increasing impact on the costing of publication inks".

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Source: Ink prices expected to rise

HP launches new Instant Ink program

The HP’s new program will work like a phone contract, whereby users pay a fixed monthly plan to be sent cartridges for printing.

QZ.com reported on the recently-introduced program, Instant Ink, which forms part of the HP’s effort "to get people to subscribe to printer ink" and in turn locking them into "making a purchase every month by default".

CEO Meg Whitman is said to have "enthusiasm" for the program, with printing still forming 22% of HP’s revenue, but QZ.com pointed out that the program "requires that users invest a lot of trust in HP", as it works by the user’s internet-connected printer telling HP "how many pages they’re printing every month", with them sending HP inkjet cartridges "as needed".

HP’s site for Instant Ink in turn notes that "ink, shipping and cartridge recycling are included in plans", with the pricing based on "pages printed, not cartridges used", with no annual fees and the ability to "change or cancel plans anytime". The Instant Ink cartridges are also said by the OEM to have "more ink than standard HP ink cartridges, so you’ll replace them less often".

In financial terms, three plans demonstrate the program’s scale. The first, occasional printing, is $2.99 a month or $36 a year for 50 pages, which HP states saves $84 over a year in comparison to spending $120 a year on standard cartridges (based on printing 600 ISO pages in one year). The second, moderate printing, comes in at $4.99 a month, $60 a year for 100 pages a month (or 1,200 a year), and offers a supposed saving of $180 a year in comparison to spending $240 on standard cartridges. The final model, frequent printing, comes in at $9.99 a month and $120 a year, for 300 pages a month or 3,600 pages a year. This comes in at a saving of $600 a year, compared to the standard cartridges purchases adding up to $720 a year. All of the models are based on the "estimated street price" of $35 for a set of cartridges.

Likening this approach to the "telecoms’ model of pricing", the website notes that "additional pages" would cost more for users, so if 'user behavior for printing follows that of telecom customers, HP Instant Ink customers could end up overpaying", by either going for a small plan they overspend on, or a large plan they don’t fully utilize.

The site noted that the "added convenience" to be found in the program may "be enough to lure customers who care less about price" into joining the program, and if HP can convince users that the program "is worth" the convenience, "it might make a difference to the company’s bottom line", but the growth of the paperless office, and the increase in tablet use might mean Instant Ink "may merely allow HP to decline a little more slowly".

Visit our e-store for OEM and compatible/remanufactured HP printer supplies

Source: HP launches new Instant Ink programme

New Cloud-Based Printing Service by Ricoh

In an increasingly bring-your-own-device (BYOD) world where employees are using personal smart phones or tablets for work, the simple act of printing can be frustrating for workers and burdensome for IT.

That’s why Ricoh Americas Corporation introduced a new cloud printing service, FlexRelease CX, which enables workers to simply press "print" and pick up their job at the nearest Ricoh device.

Workers can send documents to the cloud from their mobile phones, tablets, laptops or PCs, and instantly retrieve them from any FlexRelease CX-enabled Ricoh printer or multifunction product (MFP) in the world. As a cloud service, FlexRelease CX requires little or no capital investment or IT involvement, enabling IT staff to focus on more strategic work. The secure print release service requires users to verify their identities with a user name and password to release a print job. FlexRlease CX’s time out feature helps reduce wasteful printing and unnecessary costs by allowing administrators to specify an amount of time a job is held in queue before automatically being deleted. Users can also control environmentally-friendly device features, such as two-sided printing, document resolution, and whether or not the document is in color.

"Many organizations are scrambling to catch up to the demands of their increasingly mobile workforce, putting enormous pressure on IT staffs," said Jason Dizzine, Vice President, Technology Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "FlexRelease CX, however, provides a location-independent printing experience that, unlike other solutions, requires no server purchase, installation or management. Just subscribe and use it as long as you need it."

Ricoh FlexRelease CX supports all email-enabled mobile devices, and adds additional file upload and extended management features through an iOS app for iPad and iPhone. The FlexRelease CX solution also includes a print driver for direct print to cloud capability. The FlexRelease CX-embedded MFP client installs without external hardware on most A3- and A4-class Ricoh MFPs.

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Source: Ricoh Unveils New Cloud-Based Printing Service

Printer Companies Launch Alliance to Promote and Simplify Mobile Printing

Canon, HP, Samsung and Xerox have joined forces to form the Mopria Alliance, described as a global non-profit organisation, aims to address customer and industry need for "simple, standardized, brand-agnostic mobile printing" as well as "promote, simplify and increase accessibility" of wireless printing from smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

The Alliance will bring together the mobile, software and print industries with the aim of aligning to standards that make printing universally compatible from any mobile device to any printer anywhere; and will focus on breaking down barriers between brands by eliminating the need for users to download multiple print drivers, as well as creating a better, more accessible user experience for mobile printing.

It is the intention of the OEMs to introduce the Mopria brand and use it as a vehicle to educate consumers and businesses on the ease-of-use of mobile printing; and to influence the development and adoption of standards for mobile printing. Furthermore, Mopria will provide software developers with an open environment and tools to incorporate print into mobile applications.

Standardizing mobile printing in turn will enable mobile app developers, along with other industry players, to focus resources on innovation and new features beyond simply maintaining basic print functions.

Source: OEMs launch alliance to promote and simplify mobile printing

Xerox Releases the World's Smallest Width Inkjet Printer

Targeting the data and commercial printing markets, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. launched 1400 Inkjet Color Continuous Feed Printing System that prints at 100 meters per minute in full-color, duplex (equivalent to 1,312 pages of double-sided, 2-up A4 document). The installations of new system started on in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region on September 13.

The new system employs an inkjet printing system, which enables high-speed printing. Among printers with the equivalent output speed of 100 meters per minute, the width of 1400 Inkjet Color Continuous Feed Printing System is the world smallest, and its body is lightweight by employing robust but light aluminum frame, enabling installation of the device on above-ground floor levels.

Its output quality and data print reliability, which are essential for variable data printing, are equivalent to those of currently available higher model, offering efficient cost performance.

1400 Inkjet Color Continuous Feed Printing System features:
· Smaller footprint realizing the world's smallest width (in its class) of 8,200 millimeters by adopting a mid-infrared heater.
· Enables the device to be installed on above-ground floor levels by employing the light and robust aluminum frame, and distributing the weight load of the two inkjet units to the floor (less than 500 kilograms per square meter).
· The newly-developed controller— a high-speed raster image processor (RIP) accelerator— boosts the data conversion performance for variable printing to ensure the output speed of the printer engine.
· High resolution of 600 x 600 dots per inch and a stability mechanism for paper path—the same as those in business form offset presses—allow clear characters and numbers, beautifully reproduced photographs, and sharp 2-dimension barcodes.
· The easy-to-operate touch panel enables users to intuitively understand the status of the printer, job queues and RIP progresses, maximizing the operation efficiency.

In industries including banking and finance, life insurance, securities and telecom, which need to issue documents such as account statements and invoices to individual customers, there is a growing need for high-volume printing in short lead time as well as for variable printing that personalizes each customer's document, which would encourage consumers to make a purchase decision or boost response rates.

By introducing this new color production printing system, Fuji Xerox has further reinforced its lineup coverage in the high-speed printing market to contribute to customers' business expansion, while providing added value to print material users.

This product will be exhibited at the Japan Graphic Art Show 2013, held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 2 to 5.

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Source: Fuji Xerox Releases Lightweight Full-Color, High-Speed Inkjet Printer With the World's Smallest Width

iPhones and iPads Are Scanners Now

PaperScan, a free app by DocuWare, is now available for turning an iPhone or iPad into a document scanner. DocuWare, a global leader in the field of document management, developed PaperScan to conveniently bring order to paper clutter.

Scanned documents need to be of a high quality for further processing. At the same time, they need to be captured in a small size and familiar format, so that they can be easily printed, integrated into office workflows or shared. Using a smartphone as a scanner is an ideal option for anyone who needs to scan receipts, business cards, or letters, whether in the office, at home or while traveling. DocuWare is now offering PaperScan for this type of mobile use.

Using PaperScan is simple: aim a smartphone or tablet over the paper; the device automatically captures the image, cuts it to size, and creates a perfect PDF file. Thanks to the high scan quality, documents can then be automatically stored using DocuWare's Intelligent Indexing Service.

PaperScan isn't only for use with DocuWare solutions. The high-quality PDF documents generated can also be directly placed in a personal Dropbox folder, sent by email or printed via AirPrint. This means the application possibilities are endless.

For comfort and scan quality, DocuWare developed special algorithms for document recognition and the patents are pending. PaperScan is now available at the Apple store as a free download (search one word: paperscan) for iPhone version 4 and up and iPad. An Android version will follow by year's end.

Source: DocuWare Turns iPhone and iPad into Scanner - Free Mobile Scanning

Letters in the sky -- foam printing

Epson showed off its latest printers at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin printing out floating letters using helium filled foam.
It can print relatively solid 3D shapes from soap foam and fill the bubbles with helium making the objects light enough to be picked by the wind.
Amazing promotional opportunity for a number of brands wanting to generate attention and highly recommended for love letters and other flights of fancy!

Virus alert for Samsung cartridge chips

The Recycler understands that chips fitted to cloned Samsung MLT-D101 cartridges and also supplied to remanufacturers are infecting Samsung printers, and locking out OEM cartridges.

According to two people familiar with the issue, the chips were sourced in Asia and supplied to several companies producing new, non-OEM Samsung MLT-D101 cartridges, as well as to remanufacturers around the world.

An engineer who spoke with The Recycler said that the offending chips infect the printers and lock out OEM cartridges. As a result of the virus infection Samsung has, The Recycler understands, released a series of downloadable firmware updates for printers using the Samsung MLT-D101 cartridge, which restore full functionality to the printer but lock out clone and remanufactured cartridges using the offending chip.

This is the first time Samsung has issued downloadable firmware updates, indicating the serious impact this malicious virus might have on printer users. According to another source, the firmware is not yet available in all regions, but they expect Samsung to increase its IP protection. The Recycler understands that new Samsung printers are being shipped with a more robust firmware version installed.

The impact for remanufactures could be catastrophic if and when printer users and Samsung take action against the chip manufacturers and remanufacturers that have supplied a virus-infected chip on a cartridge. This also reinforces the need for remanufacturers to have a total understanding of the IP issues and the functionality of chips fitted to their remanufactured products.

The Recycler is waiting on a response from Samsung and chip manufacturers before issuing a further update.

Visit www.priceless-inkjet.com for you printer supplies needs.

Source: Virus alert for Samsung cartridge chips