The two Latex 360s are being installed in mid-June at Maidstone-based vehicle graphics specialist RGVA, with a new Latex 3000 to be installed shortly afterwards. Meanwhile Berlin-based Sprintout has been announced as a beta test site for the 360.
The 360 was launched as part of a three-strong, low-volume Latex 300 series last month. The series also includes the 1.4m Latex 310 and the 1.6m Latex 330.
Maximum output speed for the 310 and 330 is 48sqm/hr and 50sqm/hr respectively in two-pass billboard mode, while the 360 can print at up to 91sqm/hr in single-pass mode.
RGVA will use its 360 for smaller and one-off vehicle branding jobs, while the Latex 3000, which replaces four Latex 260s, will be used for larger, roll to toll jobs.
The machines are being installed as part of a wider £1m upgrade, also seeing the company double the size of its facilities and invest in new finishing kit.
“These machines will give me four times more capacity, and the savings on ink they bring will pay for that £1m investment,” said RGVA chief executive Ian Calderwood. “I’ve worked out, with the average 4,500sqm a month we’re printing, we’ll be spending £7,245 less on ink.”
RGVA first invested in HP latex equipment in 2008 with an L25500, and has since upgraded to the L26500 model, then the Latex 260, all supplied by City & West End Solutions (CWE Solutions).
“In 2008 we had a client who wanted a water-based solution. So we took a chance to switch it all over, knowing that HP would support us,” said Calderwood.
Meanwhile Berlin-based Sprintout has replaced a 260 with its new 360. “The important thing is production speed as everything is printed within 24 hours at Sprintout,” said chief technology officer at Sprintout Haldun Kup. “The print quality is amazing and very close to dye sub results.”
HP has also sold an HP Scitex FB10000 at Fespa, taking HP’s global install base of this machine, launched last Fespa, to 30-plus.
The machine has gone to Nottingham-based Print & Display. The FB10000 exhibited on the HP Fespa stand had been sold, prior to the show, to Rotherham-based Bluetree, taking UK sales of this machine to eleven.
