Nicholas Hellmuth comments on wide format scanners from HP DesignJet, Vidar, Contex, Ideal, and Vivid Images scan to print solutions.

With a scan-to-print system you place your photograph on the scanner, tell the system what kind of image it is and how large you want it enlarged, and press the GO button. The scan-to-print system does everything else for you. The printer reproduces the snapshot at whatever size enlargement you have selected.

The initial entry was the HP DesignJet copier cc800ps. This was updated to the HP DesignJet 815mfp. This consists of an HP DesignJet 800ps coupled with a Contex wide format scanner. Contex is the leading wide format scanning company, headquarters in Denmark. Another option from HP is their DesignJet 4200, a 42" stand-alone large format scanner. This is the model we are testing at both our university facilities.

HP DesignJet 800 copier scanner

In previous years the popular model was the original Vivid Image system. This scan to print solution worked with selected Epson and Microtec flatbed scanners. Eventually the Vivid Image scan-to-print system was outfitted to connect to wide format scanners as well (sheet fed, roll-fed scanners). However the scan to print concept did not catch on the way manufacturers hoped for, and Vivid Image moved into other endeavors.

Vidar had a scan to print system, but several years ago Vidar was purchased by Contex. So we will check out Contex scan-to-print systems at the next tradeshow. Ideal is a major reseller of Contex brand wide format scanners.

Caldera Graphics (in France) makes scan to print imaging software named Cameleo.

If you wish additional information on wide-format HP scanners, contact Jonathan Knecht, colorguru@colordna.com.