September 29th, 1999

[2:45 PM] HP Announces ColorSync Support In Printer That Apple Will Distribute

After several years of sometimes on again, sometimes off again support for the Mac in their excellent line of printers, Hewlett-Packard has announced a new support for an Apple technology. The company has announced support for ColorSync in some of its professional line of printers amd has announced that Apple will be distributing the HP DesignJet ColorPro GA through its own distribution channel. According to HP and Apple:

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced that it has teamed with Apple Computer, Inc. to provide graphics professionals with HP DesignJet printing systems that are Apple ColorSync-compatible. HP also announced that its new HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer, which provides Macintosh users predictable color output for B+/A3+ size conceptual proofing, will be distributed through Apple's network of resellers.

The new HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer, like the HP DesignJet 488CA, 1000 Series, 2000CP Series and 3000CP Series printers -- features ICC (International Color Consortium) profiles for the ColorSync color-management workflow system. With ICC profiles, users can achieve predictable and consistent color output -- key criteria for producing conceptual proofs for clients. ICC profiles enable the printer to emulate such professional output devices as offset printers, taking into account such specific characteristics as inks, paper and finish.

"Our relationship with Apple enables us to provide the Macintosh-based graphic-arts community with the industry standard in color management, available through an extended network of HP and Apple authorized resellers," said Ignacio Fonts, marketing manager of the HP Inkjet Commercial Division, which designs and manufactures HP DesignJet printers. "Today's announcement reinforces HP's commitment to this important market."

"Graphic-arts professionals demand high quality and reliable color accuracy at every stage of the design process," said Clent Richardson, vice president of worldwide developer relations of Apple Computer, Inc. "Apple's ColorSync technology provides unparalleled solutions for this field, and, combined with HP's leadership in professional large-format printing systems, delivers the best of both worlds."

In theory you can find more information on DesignJet printers at the company's web site. In practice, it would appear that the DesignJet page does not bother with any information about actual products, but instead has all manner of other information.

The Mac Observer Spin: It's great to see this step between Apple and HP. Printer choice is a great thing, and HP makes some of the best printers on the market. This is not to slight the likes of Epson and other Mac printer manufacturers. Epson in particular deserves major kudos for stepping into the void left by HP when it exited the consumer Mac printer market. In any event, we view this agreement between Apple and HP as a very positive move with ramifications that reach beyond just having another printer available for the Mac.

HP