An HP Latex R2000 Plus printer installed in mid-2022 has helped Loughborough-headquartered Marsden Direct Group achieve a number of key business and sustainability goals.

Marsden owns and operates the Expo Service print division, as well as the Marsden Exhibitions events arm and retail marketing provider Luga Baruga. The group operates across the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. Working with a diverse range of clients, it uses print to deliver products and applications across each of its businesses including exhibition and event stand installations, retail experience installations, signage and other large-format printing.

In response to customer pressure for sustainable print, Marsden looked to replace methods and materials that produced waste that would end up in landfill or which entailed high carbon footprints in use. In its wide-format print operations, this led to the 2.5m hybrid HP Latex R2000 Plus, supplied by HP distributor and large-format print specialist Papergraphics. The machine was installed in July 2022.

According to Vinnie White, head of creative for Marsden Exhibitions, ‘The feature that stood out the most for us was the machine’s use of HP Latex inks, which are water-based and much better for the environment. We also like how it can operate as both a flatbed and roll-to-roll, as well as print direct to substrate.

‘Crucially for us, the machine is also capable of handling a wide range of materials, thus allowing us to produce all manner of pieces for clients. Just to name a few, we have been running roll-to-roll media for vinyl wallpaper and banners, rigid media such as foamboard, card and Dibond, glass prints and acrylic prints.’

As well as ticking the sustainability box, the R2000 has also brought productivity benefits. ‘[It] is much more efficient than our previous machines, allowing for more work to pass through production, which in turn means we can take on more jobs,’ said Mr White, adding, ‘It also operates at a lower cost, including inks and consumables, while the six-colour ink set-up allows us to produce more vibrant colours, thus opening up even more options for customers.’

The HP printer has also helped Marsden make its modular exhibition stands more sustainable, resulting in the launch of the company’s first completely sustainable exhibition solution.

‘The reason we attribute the new printer to allowing us to close the gap is that previously we used UV solvent inks in conjunction with foamboard for our main product,’ explained Mr White. Thanks to HP Latex Ink, we are now able to provide fully recyclable graphics printed onto card, meaning all parts of the modular exhibition stand can be reused or recycled from flooring, frame, and graphics, eliminating single-use materials.’