KIT & MEDIA / NEWS HP printer investment doubles turnover for signage company Edinburgh-based sign-making and wrapping business, Specialized Signs & Wraps, has revealed that its investment in a HP Latex R1000 and HP Latex 800 has helped the company to double its turnover. The company installed the HP Latex R1000 printer in 2019, adding the Latex 800 in 2023. The ongoing usage of the R1000, in tandem with the additional capacity offered by the 800, were reportedly a key factor in the increase in the company’s turnover in a two-year period. The HP Latex large-format printing technology is designed to produce a variety of printed materials, including signage, vehicle wraps, décor, stickers, and posters. The R1000 prints up to 1.6m-wide boards at a resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi, with the 800 offering speeds of up to 36sq m per hour. Speaking about the machines, managing director of Specialized Signs & Wraps, Graham Sim, says: “The R1000 was a game changer when we installed it, as it was our first flatbed printer. This made it much faster and cheaper to produce rigid panel work. “These machines have allowed the company to double its turnover over the last two years, and we still have a fair bit of capacity left on them.” Specialized Signs & Wraps has plans to purchase an additional printer to support its ongoing expansion strategy, and is considering options for a new 3.2m wide-format machine. SS&W’s new purpose-built facility was designed with energy efficiency in mind By Jonathan Pert Design and wide-format print firm, KGK Genix, has purchased a swissQprint Kudu flatbed printer to expand its wide-format offerings. The purchase marks the Harlow-based firm’s first purchase of swissQprint technology. KGK Genix first encountered the machine on swissQprint's stand at The Print Show 2024, where the company demonstrated its ability to combine flatbed printing capabilities with roll-to-roll functionality. KGK Genix followed up its viewing with a demonstration at swissQprint’s UK headquarters in Bracknell. Graham Pitts, managing director at KGK Genix, was reportedly impressed by the Kudu’s performance, speed, and versatility, purchasing the machine immediately after the demonstration. The Kudu was then installed at KGK Genix’s Essex production centre on December 2nd. Commenting on the installation, David Pitts, production director at KGK Genix, says: “We needed a new machine to elevate our offering, and the Kudu has delivered on all fronts with its speed, flexibility, and sustainability credentials. “It’s potentially the best machine we’ve ever had and hopefully signals the start of an exciting new relationship with swissQprint.” Substantial investments made by KGK Genix InkTec Europe has unveiled the first 3.2m hybrid printer in its JETRIX line of wide-format solutions, the JETRIX XAR320-Hybrid. The XAR320-Hybrid, which combines flatbed and 3.2m roll-to-roll capabilities, utilises Konica Minolta’s latest Advance KM series of printheads, using a maximum of 21 Konica Minolta 1024A heads. The machine is designed for high-speed printing and delivery of banding-free images, delivering 1.5 times faster performance than traditional single-head printers, according to InkTec. The machine also prints at resolutions of up to 1440dpi, with a reported maximum speed of 177sqm/hr. The solution is designed to work with a range of substrates, from roll materials like banners and window films to rigid media up to 50mm thick. It can be arranged with a three-row base with no loss of speed when printing multi-layers and also includes a take-up system designed for large calibre rolls in heavy roll printing. InkTec unveils new hybrid printer to the market Dayfold expands into wide-format with HP Latex Diversified commercial printer, Dayfold Group, has cited the installation of a HP Latex R2000 as being key to allowing them to expand its service offering and bring its wide-format production in-house. First established in the 1980s, Dayfold supplies printed products to customers across a range of markets. However, it is relatively new to the wide-format printing sector, having only officially opened a wide-format production space in its warehouse in September. The R2000, which was supplied by HP distributor, Papergraphics, was reportedly chosen by Dayfold due to its sustainable features. HP’s water-based Latex inks are designed to reduce harmful waste, printing with no hazardous air pollutants and are able to meet modern environmental certifications. The adaptability of the R2000 was also highlighted by Dayfold. The machine can operate in both flatbed and rollto-roll modes, with the flexibility to print on a range of rigid materials such as foamboard, card, Dibond, glass, and acrylic. [L to R] Ryan Poulson and Mazin Nabulsi, wide-format printers at Dayfold, alongside the new HP Latex R2000 By Jonathan Pert 19 Issue 257 - February / March 2025 email: editor@signlink.co.uk
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