A 2026 Perspective: Why Many Print Service Providers Are Re-Evaluating HP Latex in Favour of Eco-Solvent

By Sam Leong MSc MBA, Inkjet Ink Scientist & Founder, SAM★INK®

Latex vs Eco-Solvent Printing: Engineering Trade-Offs PSPs Are Considering in 2026

Executive summary

As print service providers (PSPs) enter 2026, many are reassessing the long-term operational economics of wide-format printing technologies. In particular, there is renewed discussion around whether water-based latex ink systems, such as those offered by HP, continue to offer the most sustainable balance of reliability, cost, and efficiency compared with eco-solvent ink systems.

Based on over two decades of applied ink formulation and manufacturing experience, this article outlines one central, defensible reason behind this reassessment:

Eco-solvent systems generally impose lower cumulative thermal, mechanical, and operational stress on the printing system, resulting in longer component life and lower total cost of ownership over time.

This is not a critique of any manufacturer, but an examination of engineering trade-offs inherent to different ink chemistries and print architectures.

The core technical consideration: thermal load versus mechanical simplicity

1. Ink chemistry and printhead operating environment

Water-based latex inks rely on:

• Reduced surface tension to enable jetting
• Polymer particles that must coalesce on the substrate
• Thermal energy to evaporate water and fix the ink film

From a chemistry and physics standpoint, this requires:

• Higher operating temperatures at the print zone
• Sustained heating cycles during printing
• Greater sensitivity to ink degassing, foaming, and air management

Over extended production cycles, any ink system that combines water evaporation, surfactants, and thermal firing mechanisms must carefully manage heat, residue formation, and fluid stability. These factors are well understood in inkjet engineering and represent design trade-offs rather than flaws.

Eco-solvent inks, by contrast:

• Use mild organic carriers that evaporate at lower temperatures
• Do not require polymer melting via high platen heat
• Are typically paired with non-thermal (piezoelectric) printheads

This results in a cooler, less thermally stressed operating environment, which many PSPs find advantageous for long-term consistency.

2. Printhead longevity and maintenance cycles

Printhead life is a key driver of uptime and cost in any production environment.

In systems that rely on frequent heating and cooling cycles:

• Thermal expansion and contraction are unavoidable
• Ink residues must be actively managed
• Preventive maintenance becomes more frequent

Eco-solvent platforms, operating at lower temperatures and without thermal firing, generally experience:

• Reduced thermal fatigue
• Lower frequency of consumable replacement
• Longer intervals between major maintenance events

For PSPs operating high-duty cycles, these differences can materially affect annual operating costs and scheduling predictability.

3. Energy consumption and facility considerations

Water-based latex printing requires energy not only for jetting but also for:

• Water evaporation
• Polymer film formation
• Maintaining stable drying conditions

In practice, this means:

• Higher electrical load during production
• Additional heat and humidity introduced into the workspace
• Greater reliance on HVAC systems to maintain operator comfort and process stability

Eco-solvent systems typically require less active energy input per printed square metre, reducing both direct electricity consumption and indirect facility costs.

The commercial conclusion for PSPs in 2026

For many PSPs, the decision is no longer about print quality or application range—both technologies are mature and capable.

Instead, the decisive factor is increasingly:

Which system delivers the most predictable uptime, lowest cumulative maintenance burden, and lowest total cost of ownership over five to seven years?

In this context, a growing number of PSPs are finding that eco-solvent platforms offer a simpler, more energy-efficient operating profile with fewer long-term cost variables.

This does not diminish the achievements or market role of latex technology. It reflects the reality that different engineering approaches age differently under continuous commercial use.

Final note

Technology choices in printing are never universal. Each PSP must consider:

• Application mix
• Volume and duty cycle
• Energy costs
• Facility constraints
• Staffing and maintenance capability

This article is intended to support informed, professional evaluation, not to prescribe a single solution for all businesses.

Disclosure & disclaimer

This article reflects the professional and scientific opinions of the author based on applied inkjet ink formulation experience, manufacturing practice, and publicly available technical information.

All statements are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute claims of defect, misconduct, or wrongdoing by any manufacturer.

Sam Leong MSc MBA is an inkjet ink scientist and founder of SAM★INK®, with over 25 years of applied manufacturing experience.