Press release
Versatile inkjet printer provides fast, profit-driving output; helps retailers reduce carbon footprint
HP today announced an industry-first publishing solution that gives retailers the opportunity to expand the breadth and quality of their in-store photo services and capture more of the rapidly growing photo merchandise market.
The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer is the first dry, inkjet minilab capable of producing traditional single-sided photo prints as well as duplex photo book pages and calendars in a single machine in retail.
Retailers using the Minilab can increase their operating efficiency by vastly reducing energy consumption - saving up to $1,097 per year - eliminating hazardous chemicals and water consumption, and lowering labor costs by up to $10,541 per year.(1)
Beginning this month, Kmart and Ted's Camera in Australia are the first retailers to implement the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer in their stores. The Minilab also is available for installations in the United States and Europe, with deployments by retailers in these regions expected in the coming months.
"The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer will allow Kmart to offer our customers arguably the best quality photo books in retail all within one hour, while using HP technology to reduce the environmental footprint of our photo centers," said Adam Gradon, divisional merchandise manager, Entertainment, Kmart Australia Ltd.
With the flexibility to serve as a standalone unit or as part of the HP Photo Center solution, the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer is the latest addition to HP's award-winning HP Retail Publishing Solutions portfolio.
As the compound annual growth rate for photo books alone is projected to increase 22 percent from 2008 to 2013,(2) HP is providing retailers with an opportunity to capture more share of this lucrative market.
"Bringing to market the fastest, most versatile and efficient dry minilab available today is just one example of how HP is building solutions that excite both customers and retailers," said Rohit de Souza, vice president and general manager, Retail Publishing Solutions, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. "Retailers implementing the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer have the unique opportunity to capture more share of wallet by delivering to customers what they want - lab-quality prints and a wide variety of photo merchandise, when they want it - in a matter of minutes."
A faster, more versatile solution
The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer delivers lab-quality photos as fast as 1,500 prints per hour in up to 16 different single-sided print sizes as well as the two main duplex photo book sizes - making it the fastest and most versatile dry minilab on the market today.(3) The system uses specially designed inks and papers to create smudge-, water- and fade-resistant prints that retain vivid, accurate colors for more than 200 years.(4)
Designed for both single-sided photo and double-sided photo book and calendar printing in a combination of gloss and matte finishes, the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer offers customers the speed and convenience of picking up not only their prints but also, for the first time at retail, the highest-quality photo book merchandise in an hour or less.
In addition, operators of the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer can benefit from the sophisticated health management system of the printer, including reminders to replenish supplies, automated color calibration and self-healing features. These simplified maintenance requirements enable store employees to spend less time worrying about the equipment and more time serving customers and driving sales.
Making smarter environmental choices
The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer is a milestone in HP's effort to transform the imaging and printing industry from traditional, analog systems to digital solutions as well as its environmental commitment.
The Minilab enables retailers to significantly reduce electrical power consumption and eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals and water entirely for the processing of prints. Retailers choosing the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer over a silver-halide photo finishing system can experience a 64 percent savings in energy and an average savings of 1,600 gallons of chemical and water discharge per year.(1)
Additionally, the Minilab's supplies can be recycled easily and responsibly through the HP Planet Partners Return and Recycling program.
HP at the 2009 Digital Imaging Conference
At the InfoTrends Digital Imaging Conference Sept. 16-17 in Burlingame, Calif., HP's Kimberly Miller, vice president of marketing and merchandising, and Kalle Marsal, director of product management, in the company's Retail Publishing Solutions business, will be addressing the retail publishing industry in the following panel sessions:
- "B2B Opportunities in Photo Merchandise & Publishing" - Wednesday Sept. 16, 2:15-3:30 p.m. PT, Hyatt Regency, Burlingame.
- "Making the Right Equipment Choices in the Retail Photo Market" - Thursday, Sept. 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m. PT, Hyatt Regency, Burlingame.
