The Uxbridge-based firm bought the new machines, which have been installed at its premises in the past few months, from City and West End Solutions (CWE).
The company had previously purchased an HP Scitex FB700 industrial printer and two Seiko W-64s Color Painters from CWE.
The investments have significantly boosted the firm’s productivity and opened up new markets, according to managing director Alan Kelvey.
He said: “We invested in the new machinery because things were taking too long to dry. We were having trouble with lamination and prints were lying around drying and collecting dust.
“The 360 is fast and the product can be taken off the machine and then either laminated or cut on the Summa straight away.”
The 360 was launched in April along with the lower volume 310 and 330 options. It can print at up to 91sqm/hr in single-pass mode and features an eight-inch touchscreen, double-sided printing and automatic ICC profiling.
“Last month we used the 360 to print 600 metres of manifestation for a new building for a major blue chip company. We couldn’t have easily done that on a solvent printer,” said Kelvey.
The firm also worked together with CWE to create a fully integrated system, including PCs and Caldera RIP, that would work seamlessly together in its new print-and-cut facility.
“Now we have these printers integrated into our system we can use them to make just about any type of sign, banner or display,” said Kelvey.
The business is now looking to invest in a Summa roll-to-roll plotter, which it is hoping to order early next year. It is also looking to increase its current turnover of just over £1m in the next few years and plans to expand its 25-strong team to help manage the increase in demand it has seen since investing in new machinery.
“We’re looking for top-notch, experienced people and we’re also interested in taking on a graduate who’s at the start of their career,” said Kelvey.
“We need some traditional skills in woodwork, metalwork and that side of things and we’ll have installation and sales roles too.”
Display Signs produces items including signs, banners, graphics and wallpaper for clients ranging from independent traders through to blue chip companies in industries including retail and construction.
