Following the huge success of its first 2.6m HP Designjet L65500 printer latex installation earlier this year, McGowan’s plans to install a second latex machine, a 3.2m wide HP Scitex LX800, at its premises in Ballymun, Dublin, at the beginning of December. The decision was taken in light of the company’s continued success in the POS and outdoor poster market where it has secured a number of high profile contracts, particularly in the retail and outdoor advertising sector which has placed considerable pressure on its current production capacity.
“I suppose the first L65500 latex printer was a victim of its own success,” said Tony Roe, MD of McGowan’s. “At 3.2m long the new LX800 will treble McGowan’s vinyl capacity immediately on latex inks. The company had hit a ceiling on its ability to output vinyls and other POS prints on the L65500 and with staff and shift patterns stretched to such a degree, production was running twenty four hours a day for five days a week. A decision was taken to go for the newer, wider machine as nothing more could be asked of the staff given these circumstances.”
One of the key selling points of the new LX800 is that the prints are fully IR cured inside the printer and can be finished, laminated and applied immediately.
Tom McIntyre, sales manager at the Reprocentre which will supply the machine said: “Another great thing about this machine is that the printer now has the ability to place two rolls up at one time, and can even print two separate images,” he said. “It has far greater application versatility than existing technology and superior performance on vehicle graphics, textiles, papers, and backlit. Also the cost per copy is significantly lower than eco-solvent and mild solvent prints.”
Roe added: “The environmentally friendly nature of latex inks is now providing McGowan’s with huge green marketing opportunities to a growing number of environmentally sensitive clients and I feel this will give the company an even greater edge to satisfy customer demands for this type of work, particularly in the retail and signage sectors.”
