Verve installed the printer, which uses a fully water-based inkset, in late March as part of its ongoing efforts to become a carbon neutral printworks.

Managing director Simon Perkes, explained to Printweek that many of the company's clients had been asking him for more sustainable printing options.

He said: “You can’t just go and buy a piece of half-recycled material, run it through an aggressive solvent or UV printer and then turn around and say you’re a sustainable printer.

“So we needed to prove to our clients with our smaller format stuff that if you want a 100% sustainable solution, we can do it: everything from the machine, the ink, the media, all of that.”

The company had found that, with short turnarounds and rapid rebrands on much of its display work, it had previously had to print on significant amounts of PVC only to throw it away the next day.

Now, however, Verve has been able to use the SC-R5000 to print economically on recyclable PVC alternatives.

Perkes said that his clients, which include Sky, Mastercard, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, have been happy with the investment.

“They’re very pleased because it’s ticking the boxes, and it goes up the flagpole at their end as well that they’re working with a partner that’s as sustainable as possible.”

Verve bought the SC-R5000 from Epson reseller SEDO in mid-March, and installed it two weeks later at its 1,400sqm Harlow site, where it employs 22 staff across three buildings.

Perkes had tasked David Blackholly, production director, to research a suitable machine.

He said: “Before the pandemic started we began dipping our toes in the water and looking at systems and PVC-free materials. We needed print production solutions that produce very high-quality work consistently and reliably.”

Blackholly and Perkes were both very happy with two Epson systems they already had - the SC-S80600 and SC-S60600 display and signage printers - and wanted to stick with something they knew they could rely on.

He added: “For us the step forward was the water-based inkset where we know the quality is going to be maintained.

“Early signs show the quality is where we want it to be on PVC-free substrates. This enables us to confidently print on a wide range of recyclable materials – and some are very cost-effective. This will help us better support our clients looking for more sustainable options.”