Photokina will be a nice place to reveal the new HP Z3200, with better red ink.

Has 69 ml ink cartridges, which are kind of small for what should be a serious printer. But also has 130 ml cartridges. Ironic that Epson finally realized these small cartridges were not a good idea; the Epson 7900 and Epson 9900 now offer larger size ink containers (whew, at last).

The HP Designjet Z3200 large format printer at Photokina 2008.

Sample printed by the new HP Designjet Z3200 printer.

Every several years there is either a new Canon iPF printer or a new Epson or a new HP water-based printer. It is hard to keep track of the advances in inks and color management features. FLAAR is keeping track by visiting printshops around the world that have these various brands. Each brand has its good points and a few issues and an occasional deficiency.             

Since FLAAR itself does not sell printers, for you to find out information on prices and availability of each model that can print digital photographs well, we suggest you contact a company that offers all three brands: Canon, HP, and Epson.  This way they are not going to push just one brand because they offer all three. Plus you need a company that has plenty of experience with photographs and photo labs.One company that we know is LexJet. Dr Hellmuth has visited their national headquarters twice. LexJet sells all across the USA and to Latin America as well. Contact info is sales@lexjet.com.

HP Designjet Z3200 wide-format inkjet printer at Photokina 2008.

Samples printed by the HP Designjet Z3200 44-inch printer.

HP Designjet Z3200 44" printer, specifications.

First posted September 9, 2008.

Compare prices; is it best to buy by lowest price comparison?  Your best deal is to buy from a respectable printer dealer who can provide tips and assistance. LexJet is among several places we know that offer HP Designjet printers. They can be reached at sales@LexJet.com. Buying from a box-pusher, gray market, and other dubious outlets is not always a clever idea. We have visited LexJet headquarters several times and have visited their booth at key trade shows. Their other advantage is that they offer all three major brands: Epson, Canon, and HP. So they do not need to push you into only one brand.  Plus LexJet knows eco-solvent and UV-cured as well (which FLAAR covers on www.large-format-printers.org).

The complete FLAAR Reports are in full-color PDF format. Our institute has comprehensive FLAAR Reports on over 73 different wide format inkjet printers, RIP software, color management, scanners, digital cameras and on countless markets such as wide format inkjet printers for photography, giclee, proofing, CAD, GIS, graphic design, signs, and specialty applications too. All FLAAR Reports by Dr Nicholas Hellmuth and his team are available on Wide-format-printers.NET