Installed at the start of April, the new machine will run alongside an HP Latex 570 wide-format printer running applications such as vehicle graphics and wraps.

The SureColor was selected by Hexham, Northumberland-based Top Signs over a second Latex due to positive reviews. It was supplied by Crawley-based reseller Papergraphics.

Managing director Mark Routledge said: “We have a lot of work coming in and we needed the SureColor to help with pretty much everything that a signmaker could do.

“It allows us to print with white ink, which is great for window stickers, but it is also a lot greener than other machines because it uses less electricity and ink. I think it’s important to us and to our clients that our work is better for the environment.

“We made this investment because the demand was there, and that is what we will continue to do. Whenever the market requires something, we will get it.”

Epson’s 1.6m-wide SureColor SC-S80600 is a 10-colour system that can print at up to 95.1sqm/hr in single-pass banner mode and at up to 12.5sqm/hr in eight-pass film mode. It features dual PrecisionCore TFP printheads and was configured for Top Signs with CMYK, light cyan, light magenta, light black, red, orange and white.

Alongside its printing capabilities, which are facilitated by Onyx workflow software, Top Signs also runs a laminator from Mounter’s Mate which was installed in January.

The firm employs nine members of staff.