52 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 255 - October / November 2024 using its machine to create wraps for highend clients such as Sainsbury’s, NatWest, FedEx, Boots, and McDonald’s. “We really like HP Latex printers for their ease of use, reliability, and colour repeatability,” explains OPG technical and operations director Tristan Harrold, who continues: “The latex machines are also faultless, and I don’t have to worry about them. I always tell my team they are spoilt by how good the machines are.” Harrold says an added benefit of working with HP Latex printers is their ability to produce work that aligns with the company’s sustainability objectives. All HP Latex printers run water-based inks, which have less impact on the environment than their solvent, eco-solvent, and UV counterparts. Harrold says being able to pass this on to customers is critical. He offers up one example of a recent project with a leading UK supermarket chain, during which OPG used its HP Latex printers to create 30,000 metres of vehicle graphics on recyclable materials. After the graphics have reached their end of life, they will be removed and recycled. “It is a front door to a back door recycling process,” Harrold says, adding: “We recycled all the manufacturing and ▲Metamark has launched MiA, a new range of architectural films for interior applications Other Options Somper also takes the opportunity to flag MiA, a new range of architectural films for interior applications – something that may also appeal to wrappers with a diversified offering and customer base. “MiA has the potential for wrappers to save new customers thousands,” he says, adding: “Instead of ripping out and scrapping very costly interior infrastructure like doors, partitions, and furniture and consigning them to scrap, MiA can be used to transform it all, giving it and other articles, a new life.” MiA is available in a range of finishes suited to a range of projects with the options on offer including woods, metals, stones and attractive clay-like matts. Somper says that the films are hardwearing, long-lived, and easy to clean In functional terms, MiA works in a way familiar to most wrappers in that it has an air release adhesive system and conforms readily over complex surfaces. As an added show of support, Metamark has specialist training available for those who need it when working with the new line of films. “Metamark’s MiA range is available ex-stock from Metamark and in volumes that suit the needs of both occasional users and those with huge projects and workloads to address,” Somper says. “MiA enables wrappers to build a whole new revenue stream and the cost of entry is practically zero for those with some expertise. Samples are available from Metamark and it merits repeating that the product is on the shelves and ready to ship without delay too.” Long-Term Plans Next, wrappers should be looking at the type of printer that they are using. Can it print onto vinyl and film? If so, will the print stand up to the elements and constant wear and tear when a car is out on the road, boat in the water, or even plane in the air? HP Latex has been cited by many wrappers as a suitable printing technology for producing wraps. One such company is national fleet vehicle graphics specialist OPG, which has been working with HP Latex technology for a number of years, Any job we take on is printed on a material that can be recycled. Around 90% of what we do can be recovered and recycled WRAPPING MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES More than 50 brands will feature at WrapFest this year 50
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