HP Designjet 90 review

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Designjet 90 is a large format printer for large entreprise business and small & medium business, not just home & home office stuff, so that... well, so that knowing printhead cleaning is possible and specified in details in the user's guide is somewhat reassuring (what do I do if my low-cost amateur-printer printhead need such servicing?)

Is a HP small & medium business large format printer good for me, that's a question Vincent is the only one to deal with!

[WoodyW]

Hi Vincent!

Since you have managed to get the printer working, you might want to fix the bottom of the review page one, where you say you haven't gotten it to work yet, and are waiting for HP. Especially since they have given you the extra time!

[MelW]

I was surprised to see your mention of good results with matte paper. Everything I have reaad about the 30/90/130 printers emphasizes the glossy and satin. Which matte paper did you use? I assume that it is not a swellable paper so wonder about print longevity. Any additional information would be appreciated.

[jo-1]

Hi MelW,

I assume Vincent is refering to the original Photo mate of HP

the HP Matte media, with the right image this paper produces fine art quality prints

(from Vinvent's review)

Wilhelm Research ranks the paper for some 14 to 21 years.
I did not use the HP paper but I will do so. The HP 30 / 90 / 130 sereis produces excellent quality on almost every kind of paper as long as there is no interaction with the chemestry on the paper. E.g. Tetenal glossy 290 g/m^2 does not work. (ICC profiles must be done to archieve the best quality)

I've tried Hahnenmuehle PhotoRag 188 g/m^2 with stunning results. But I do not know how long they will last. So I will purchase the HP Matte paper to see the results.

The HP Premium Plus papers are very affordable in rolls and very nice to use. The review prooved (IMHO) that it is best to get the 130 instead of the 90. You get some extra 6 inch in width and the same printing quality for only a few bucks more.

I've just started to print large format b&w negatives and I am surprised by the apperance @ 48 x 68 cm (2400 ppi picture converted into 600 ppi for the printer). If I would only want to print 35 mm scanns or digitaly taken pictures I'd go for a smaller one e.g. the 1800 or 2400 of EPSON.

If you have enough space in your digital darkroom go for the 130 series (IMHO)

If you see the first time real big prints you might get the same impression as I do SIZE matters!!

VBR <=> jo-1

[goginski]

The printer is up and running now, but I am otherwise engaged so will not be able to do anything until Saturday 23rd

Hi Vincent, thanks for your nice review of the HD 90 and for NOT deleting the printhead problem part. I had this same issue on my DJ 130 and HP wanted to swap a new printer for $500 since the warranty was out. The tech. dept. didn't tell me about hitting the printhead on something. This happened with 4 or 5 different colors even after putting brand new printheads in and therefore could not use it and eventually donated it to Goodwill.

My question is: do you know if HP has resolved this issue in the years since these printers came on the market? thanks.

Bill

[Vincent]

I haven't seen any HP printers for a while, but I am sure HP will have resolved any problems found on previous models.

I will be getting some more printer reviews on the way shortly.

[goginski]

I haven't seen any HP printers for a while, but I am sure HP will have resolved any problems found on previous models.

I will be getting some more printer reviews on the way shortly.

Thanks Vincent.