Signs and Labels Hereford has positioned itself for greater workflow efficiencies and future growth following the installation of a 1.6m-wide UVgel Canon Colorado M5W printer from CMYUK.
Serving the retail, office refits, leisure, and vehicle graphics sectors, the Hereford-based company was running a solvent printer alongside a hybrid, but when demand began to outstrip capacity, and the degassing and lamination requirements of solvent printing began to impede productivity, it became clear that a new printer was required.
After visiting a CMYUK open day, Ross and Laura Hughes, son and daughter of founder John Hughes, were impressed with the Colorado’s sleek design, speed, and the capabilities of its white ink. Although described as “the obvious choice” by Ross, the company didn’t invest straight away.
Staying on the company’s radar, the opportunity to purchase the printer arose once a local government grant became available, offering up to 75% funding for Hereford businesses investing in eco-friendly technology. Switching to UVgel technology decreased Signs and Labels’ environmental footprint, reducing solvent ink use and cutting down on laminates – which aligned with the grant’s requirements. The transition to UV printing lowered costs, improved efficiency, and made production more sustainable, added Ross.
Since installation, the Colorado M5W has already proven its value, said Ross. It delivers operational benefits to the company such as faster print speeds; “effortless” white ink printing which improves turnaround times; negated need for laminates, reducing plastic waste and material costs; and lower ink consumption with UVgel. The UVgel ink also has capabilities of gloss/matte combinations and flexible printing, enabling the business to expand its revenue streams.
Ross concluded: “We recognise the need to attract new clients and broaden our reach. The Colorado plays a key role in this by allowing us to take on more work, offer new services, and improve efficiency.”
