The signage business took delivery of the HP Latex 800W in January 2024 and has been able to expand its service offering as a direct result of the investment.
UK-based signage and advertising specialist Dragon Signs has opened up about the success of its HP Latex 800W printer, revealing how the machine has allowed the company to significantly enhance its vehicle wrapping service and take on more work as a result.
A diversified business, Dragon Signs originated in Cardiff but now provides design, fabrication, and installation services for a wide range of signage solutions, including illuminated signs, wayfinding systems, and vehicle wraps across the UK. Its Dragon Digital division also offers specialist expertise in digital display projects.
Working across such a diverse range of projects led Dragon Signs to invest in the HP Latex 800W, which was purchased through authorised HP partner Papergraphics. The company took delivery of the machine in January 2024 in a strategic move to bolster production capacity, with a particular focus on speeding up workflow in vehicle wrapping.
Chris Strong, Operations Director at Dragon Signs, said the device has delivered this and much more over the past 20 months. He said: “The printer is now our go-to solution for printed vehicle graphics and wraps. We bought it to predominantly run self-adhesive vinyl but increasingly we find ourselves using a range of other media, including banner, wallpaper and cartridge paper, depending on the project. The HP Latex printer has proven to be exceptionally versatile and reliable, maintaining consistent quality even under tight deadlines.
“One of its standout features is the ability to laminate prints immediately after production. This is not possible with solvent-based systems, which typically require a 24-hour degassing period. This immediate lamination capability significantly improved our turnaround times.
“The speed and quality of the HP Latex 800W have enabled us to take on more vehicle wrap projects with shorter lead times. It’s played a crucial role in helping us grow this part of our business, giving us the capacity and flexibility to meet increasing client demands without compromising on quality.”
In addition to significantly improving production at Dragon Signs, the printer has played a major role in the evolution of the company’s environmental credentials. All HP Latex printers run on water-based HP Latex Inks which have far less impact on the planet than their solvent, eco-solvent and UV counterparts.
“The water-based latex inks align with our environmental values, and the print quality speaks for itself,” Chris said. “Without a doubt, it’s been a great investment.”
Chris added that such has been the impact of the machine that Dragon Signs is considering taking on another device from the HP Latex range to further support its ongoing growth and expansion plans.
“Over the last few years, we’ve invested in a lot of hardware, but the HP Latex 800W has been a game-changer for our business, helping us to deliver output faster, more efficiently, and sustainably,” Chris said.
“We’re already planning to invest further in the HP Latex range. We’re considering adding a second 800W to increase capacity and are also exploring the 3.2m-wide HP Latex options to expand our large-format capabilities.”
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