Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral has expanded its in-house production capabilities following the installation of two HP Latex printers. The investment allows the business to produce a wider range of applications internally and reduce its reliance on outsourced work.
The HP Latex FS50W
Based in Bromborough, the sign and graphics specialist has invested in an HP Latex R530 and an HP Latex FS50W Printer as part of a wider programme to modernise its production environment. The company replaced printers that had been in service for almost a decade in response to growing customer demand for faster turnaround times, larger-format graphics and more efficient production.
The Latex R530 enables the company to print on both rigid and flexible media, including direct-to-board applications such as hoarding graphics. Support for white ink has also broadened the range of work the business can undertake in-house, from indoor and outdoor signage to window graphics, retail displays and décor.
The Latex FS50W has further increased capacity for large-format work. With a maximum print width of 3.2m, the printer allows the company to produce banners, wallpapers, building wraps and other large-format graphics internally, giving the business greater control over production schedules and delivery times.
The new equipment has already been used to produce a large-format wall graphic based on artwork created by pupils at a local school. Printed onto fire-retardant wallpaper using water-based HP Latex inks, the installation met the safety requirements needed for educational environments while providing odourless output suitable for schools, hospitals, offices and retail spaces.
The company says the investment has also improved workflow efficiency, as HP Latex prints are dry immediately after printing and do not require the outgassing period associated with many solvent-based systems. This allows jobs to move more quickly into finishing and installation while also supporting unattended overnight production.
Ian Furlong, co-owner of Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral, said: “The investment has transformed how we operate. We can now produce a much wider range of applications ourselves, improve turnaround times, respond to changing customer demands, and pursue new opportunities without relying on outsourced production, putting us in a stronger position to grow profitably.”
Colin Easton, UK & Ireland large format print country lead at HP, added: “Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral is a great example of how print businesses are using technology to take greater control of production and unlock new applications. By bringing more work in-house with HP Latex technology, the team has created a more agile operation that can respond faster to customers while continuing to grow its business.”
