Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral eliminates production outsourcing by investing in HP Latex R530 and FS50W wide-format printers
Bromborough-based sign and graphics specialist Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral has completed a major overhaul of its production department by investing in two new HP Latex printing systems, provided by UK reseller Papergraphics. The multi-stage hardware upgrade, which includes the installation of an HP Latex R530 and a 3.2-metre-wide HP Latex FS50W, replaces legacy machinery that had been in active operation for nearly a decade.
The capital investment programme was launched to address shifting market demands for accelerated lead times and broader material versatility. By replacing traditional solvent-based machinery with modern latex technology, the business has successfully minimised its reliance on external trade suppliers, giving the team direct control over production schedules, margins, and delivery timelines.
The transition began with the delivery of the hybrid HP Latex R530. Featuring dedicated white ink capabilities, this system allows the company to print directly onto both rigid and flexible media. Bringing direct-to-board applications in-house has expanded the firm’s daily portfolio to include exterior site hoarding graphics, custom window manifestations, retail display panels, and interior wall décor.
Capacity was scaled further by adding the HP Latex FS50W industrial roll-to-roll system. With its 3.2-metre maximum print width, the platform enables the in-house manufacture of large-scale building wraps, industrial banners, and custom wallpapers. This capability was recently utilised for a community project producing a large-format wall graphic designed by local school students. Printed on fire-retardant wallpaper media, the water-based HP Latex inks ensured the graphics maintained strict institutional safety certifications while delivering an odourless finish suitable for sensitive educational and healthcare environments.
Beyond expanding the application range, the technology has improved daily print room operations. Unlike solvent printers that require extensive outgassing periods before laminating or mounting, latex inks cure instantly within the machine. Prints emerge completely dry, allowing operators to finish and install graphics immediately. Additionally, the mechanical reliability of the platforms allows the workshop to run high-volume print jobs unattended overnight to maximise capacity during peak periods.
Ian Furlong, Co-Owner of Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral, said, ‘The investment has transformed how we operate. We can now produce a much wider range of applications ourselves, improve turnaround times, respond to changing customer demands, and pursue new opportunities without relying on outsourced production, putting us in a stronger position to grow profitably’.
Colin Easton, UK&I Large Format Print Country Lead at HP, added, ‘Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral is a great example of how print businesses are using technology to take greater control of production and unlock new applications. By bringing more work in-house with HP Latex technology, the team has created a more agile operation that can respond faster to customers while continuing to grow its business’.