The Livingston, Scotland-based company, which already offered services including signmaking and garment printing, took delivery of the new 3.25m-wide machine in November. It joined existing HP Latex 560 and FB750 printers, which were both installed two years ago.

Director Mark Duguid said the new machine, which was supplied by Perfect Colours, would be “a critical component” in its new businesses, Weprintwallpaper.co.uk and Weprintbanners.co.uk.

“Now we have the backing of the new HP, we have the confidence to enter these markets.”

As well as supporting the launch of the new businesses, the Latex 1500 will also be put to work alongside the company’s other Latex machines on its existing services.

Scot Signs is established as a provider of print and signage to the aviation sector, serving as the framework contractor to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports in Scotland, as well as Southampton Airport in England.

“As well as wayfinding and wide-format prints for the airports, we carry out print work and installation for two of the largest media advertising companies in the country and produce a lot of wide-format for wall coverings and wall panel wraps,” said Duguid.

“Aside from this work, we also produce a lot of backlit textile and PVC light boxes for large advertisement spaces inside and outside the airports.”

He added: “The HP Latex machines are at the forefront of both the industry and our business; they are extremely reliable, and the print quality is second to none. The Latex printers are economical to run and are more environmentally friendly thanks to their water-based inks.”

Founded in 1997, Scot Signs employs 27 staff.