Oxford-based printer Seacourt has installed an HP Latex 365 as it moves into wide-format printing. The company, founded in 1946, has created a new branch of its business, Seacourt XL, to facilitate the move.

Seacourt, an exponent of ‘Planet Positive Printing’ that says environmental concerns are central to its operations, first looked into the wide format print market last year. When considering which printer to opt for, the decision was a ‘no-brainer’ for head of seacourt XL, Paul Gardner, ‘When it came to the large format print options, there was no question in my mind that we were buying an HP Latex printer. At the time, there were no other machines that offered the same environmental credentials. The water-based inks were exactly what we needed to complete our sustainable service offering.

‘Our customer base has been built around our eco-conscious thinking; it is at the heart of every decision we make. We’re proud to be a net zero company – our factory runs on renewable technology, all our materials are recyclable/recycled, we offer zero waste to landfill – it’s an intrinsic value which has had the dual benefit of continual growth in our market.’

The HP Latex 365 prints to a wide selection of substrates including the sustainable options Seacourt was looking to utilise. Its water-based Latex inks are ‘virtually odourless,’ and its ‘high print speed, instant drying and durable output increases efficiency,’ allowing for same day printing and finishing.

So far, using the new press, the Seacourt XL team have created all manner of items for both external and internal applications including window graphics, posters, pop up banners, floor graphics, stickers and exhibition graphics.

Looking ahead to the future Mr Gardner concluded, ‘When considering a project, I always ask myself ‘Is this the right thing to do’? The new HP printer has added to our sustainable approach whilst extending our product offering, so the answer has been a clear yes.

‘We do have future plans for expansion; it’s my job to find the next opportunity. I’ve noticed fast progression in the market for eco-friendly inks and materials, so it will certainly be interesting to see what the future holds for planet positive printing.’

Seacourt purchased the HP Latex 365 in July 2019 from HP reseller, ADAPT, part of the Amari Plastics family, which also includes Vink and Europoint.