B2 buzz begins

The UK’s first  HP Indigo 10000 has arrived at Precision Printing in Barking. Loved watching this YouTube video of its dramatic arrival, even though it was impossible not to think about the potential for some sort of You’ve Been Framed moment. And a gold star to those responsible for the ‘precision’ ceiling adjustment that’s been carried out in order for it to be able to operate on the company’s digital floor. B2 sheetfed digital presses have been a long time coming, and some of the models shown at Drupa  are still, of course, some way off commercial shipment. They’re also expensive beasts and it’s going to be super-interesting to see what business models are deployed by users when it comes to the return on this investment. An obvious advantage is the ability to fit a whole host of new print products onto the larger sheet size, as well as the potential for ganging jobs up and “getting more out the click charge” as Precision MD Gary Peeling so succinctly puts it. It’s another step forward in digital print becoming more industrial, and more mainstream, and one we at PrintWeek will be watching closely. Talking to HP's Nancy Janes prior to the 10000's arrival in Essex, it was clear that HP will be taking the beta-testing process of these first presses very seriously indeed, and no doubt a crack team is camped out at Precision’s facility as I type. She said: “The B2 press is one of those pieces of kit – if we get it right it will transform the industry.” As Nancy is not a person given to spouting off in an OTT way, I think it’s worth noting those words.