Having previously run secondhand and ex-demo equipment from Canon, the Leeds bespoke suitcase company opted for the HP machines due to its existing relationship to the manufacturer through the OneFlow workflow software, which HP acquired in June.
The large-format graphics systems were installed in August and will support Personalised Luggage in providing print-on-demand services for products such as cases, tags and passport covers.
Founder Stephen Isaacs said: “We had a quick look around the market but were pretty set on the HP machines. Having our printers in-house gives us that control to provide full end-to-end production for our clients.
“Without it, we could not move our orders forward as fast, and we have the volumes coming in to justify the investment.
“It has been a really positive experience with HP so far, which I hope is the start of a long-standing relationship.”
Supplied by Warwickshire-based reseller PSW Paper and Print, the two HP DesignJet Z6810 printers are 1.1m-wide aqueous production printers running eight-colours at speeds up to 113.6sqm/hr. Isaacs said the machines appealed to him as they use 40% less ink that their Canon predecessors.
Having recently introduced personalised Bluetooth earpods to its offering, the firm will make use of its new machines to explore further product possibilities, as well as pushing into new territories such as the US.
With seven members of staff, Personalised Luggage turns over more than £1m.
