Hobs Reprographics to exhibit at Buckingham Palace

UK print firm Hobs Reprographics is to exhibit its work in the gardens of Buckingham Palace this summer as part of the Coronation Festival.

The event is being held from 11-14 July to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation and will showcase work from a host of Royal Warrant holders.

Holders of the Royal Warrant, of which there are around 800, are those businesses that have supplied goods and services for more than five years to the Royal Households of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales.

Hobs was awarded its Warrant in 2003 and has ongoing work with Buckingham Palace, particularly relating to exhibitions.

Director Christie O’Brien explained: "We predominantly provide high-end large format display graphics like text and signage to go alongside the exhibits that are held at the palace.

"We’ve done some really exciting ones like a Da Vinci drawing collection and a diamond collection, which was shown for the Diamond Jubilee."

O’Brien said that the standard of quality and the level of detail needed made working at the Palace incredibly interesting. "It’s really exciting and we are proud to be able to work there," he added.

The firm was among many that applied to take part in the Coronation Festival and after being accepted it will exhibit in the design and technology category. O'Brien said: "It might seem strange for us to be exhibiting in that category but we have a lot of new services.

"Print is changing a lot at the moment and we have moved into 3D-print, 3D-scanning particularly for architects, as well as augmented reality.

"We are really leading the way in those areas in what printers can provide. We are the only reprographics company in the world with a Royal Warrant, but not the only printer and we really want to showcase these newer services."

O’Brien said the company would also be displaying its work in holographic print which he described as "a very new area for us".

While the first day of the Coronation Festival is reserved for dignitaries and members of the Royal Family, around 60,000 visitors are expected to attend after its doors open to the public on 12 July.

Tickets for the event have long since sold out and O'Brien said it was a privilege to be able to attend. "I'll need to spend some time picking my outfit," he added.

Founded in 1970 by chief executive Kieran O’Brien, Christie’s father, Hobs Reprographics now employs 330 staff across 29 branches throughout the UK, with a combined turnover of £30m.