HP Large Format brings photo-quality to big prints

In today’s fast-moving print landscape, photo labs are increasingly venturing into large-format territory — from banners and school sports team posters to fine art and event signage. What was once the domain of sign shops has now become a creative and business opportunity for image makers of different segments.

To explore what’s driving this evolution, the Dead Pixels Society interviewed Oscar Vidal, Global Director of Product and Strategy for HP’s Large Format Printing division, at PRINTING United Expo, about HP’s newest lineup and how it’s blurring the lines between photography and industrial printing.

According to Vidal, HP’s large format portfolio spans from compact 64-inch models to industrial 126-inch workhorses, all built on the same latex-based print technology.

“We go from our smaller 64-inch roll-to-roll devices — perfect for flexible materials like photo media, banners, or self-adhesive vinyl — up to our new industrial-grade 126-inch FS70W,” Vidal explained. “But the core technology is the same. Whether it’s the entry-level 630 or the top-end 1000 series, the print quality is equivalent across the board.”

That consistency comes from HP’s water-based latex ink system, which delivers sharp, durable prints without the environmental downsides of solvent inks. “What changes is productivity — how fast you can print, and whether you’re printing on flexible or rigid materials,” Vidal said.

Photo labs and their photographer customers who have grown up with silver halide output may be surprised at how far digital print quality has come. “Many of our customers started in the business producing Lambda or traditional photographic enlargements,” Vidal noted. “Now they’ve switched to inkjet, and they’re using our printers to achieve the same or better results — especially with our six-color plus white ink configuration.”

White ink, he said, has become an important differentiator for achieving contrast and visual impact, especially on metallic or transparent media. “You can print on metallics, apply white ink, and create beautiful, high-contrast effects that stand out,” Vidal said.

In the commercial sector, one of the biggest shifts HP is seeing is the move toward direct-to-rigid printing. Rather than printing on adhesive film and then mounting it to foam board or metal, users can now print directly onto materials such as aluminum, wood, or acrylic — saving time and preserving surface texture.

“If you print directly on the board, you save the cost of the adhesive and the extra labor,” Vidal said. “And you keep the natural texture of the surface. That’s something artists and photographers really value — printing on wood or metal to give their images a tactile quality.”

Vidal shared how creatives are experimenting beyond traditional signage. “We’ve seen people printing black-and-white portraits directly on brushed aluminum,” he said. “The metallic surface interacts with the image in ways that make the result look like fine art.”

While photo labs are often focused on indoor display, HP’s latex technology is also built for the outdoors. Pigment-based inks offer long-lasting color and UV stability, making them ideal for everything from retail window graphics to outdoor event signage.

“The issue isn’t so much fading from sunlight anymore,” Vidal explained. “The real concern is physical abrasion. For outdoor or high-traffic use, we recommend a clear coat or laminate for protection. For indoor applications, lamination becomes a creative choice — for instance, to add a glossy or matte finish.”

As large-format print volumes rise, automation and finishing are becoming key parts of the workflow. HP doesn’t manufacture finishing equipment, it partners with companies for cutting solutions and automated material handling.

“On rigid materials, automation makes a big difference,” Vidal said. “You can let the printer run, and a system automatically picks up, feeds, and stacks the boards. It’s all about efficiency.”

HP’s current portfolio includes:

• HP Latex 630, 730, and 830 – 64-inch roll-to-roll printers (the 830 is the fastest; the 630 is entry-level).
• HP Latex R530 and R1000 – Hybrid printers for both rigid and flexible materials.
• HP Latex FS60 and FS70 – 126-inch wide production printers for industrial applications.

For photographers exploring larger applications — whether for art reproduction, décor, or event graphics — the 64-inch models provide an accessible entry point. “These devices offer the same photo-level quality you’d expect, but with the flexibility to produce everything from posters to wall art,” Vidal said.

Vidal believes, as print technology becomes more accessible, creativity will be the main driver of innovation. “We see customers experimenting with new materials all the time,” he said. “Sometimes they show us applications we never imagined. That’s the beauty of large format — it opens the door to creativity at any scale.”