Part of Epson’s SureColor family, the £21,000 machine was purchased direct from Epson and installed in early February. It replaces another Epson machine – an SC-S50600 – that the firm had run for five years. The older machine was sold on eBay to make room for the SC-S80600.

Opened in 1997 by owner Chris Reilly, Signs Express Plymouth is one of 66 local branches of the Signs Express franchise, which was subject to a management buyout in January.

The Plymouth operation's latest installation constitutes the most recent move in a continuous effort to remain up-to-date.

“We do a vast range of different signage applications and wanted this machine to improve our quality of print,” said Reilly. “We continually upgrade our computers, printers and finishing kit to keep up with the latest technology.

“It took some time, visiting a few signage exhibitions and so on, to decide what machine we wanted but I am close with the sales team at Epson and we have been well-served by Epson machines before.

“Our goal for the future is simply to invest in our business, keep up with technology and remain current. We mainly focus on signage, but can turn our hand to anything for our customers.”

The highest-specification machine in Epson’s SureColor series, the 1.6m-wide SC-S80600 makes use of PrecisionCore TFP printheads and nine or 10 colours. It can print at up to 95.1sqm/hour in single-pass banner mode. It premiered at Fespa Digital in 2016.

Alongside the SC-S80600 and a variety of finishing equipment, £300,000-turnover Signs Express Plymouth also runs a Gerber Edge thermal printer.

Signs Express Plymouth comprises six staff operating across two units at Wolseley Business Park covering 220sqm combined.