Surface Print in double install

Surface Print has bought two additional Latex 3600 printers
Surface Print has bought two additional Latex 3600 printers

Wallpaper manufacturing business Surface Print has increased its production efficiency and opened up a range of new markets after investing in two new HP Latex 3600 printers.

The machines, which were supplied by HP reseller Perfect Colours, were installed at the family-run Clayton le Moors, Lancashire-based business in July.

The company already operates three Latex 570 printers and three Latex 3600 machines from HP but required two additional Latex 3600 printers due to the increasing level of demand for its products and services.

The business, which was founded in 1990, blends analogue and digital printing techniques to achieve creative designs and finishes. It said wallpaper can be printed using a traditional method and over-printed with digital details, or vice versa.

“There is an expectation of short lead times with digital printing, so we invested accordingly,” said Surface Print business development manager Jason Gilliat.

“The HP Latex 3600 printers are renowned as being the workhorses of the industry and have a proven track record for quality, versatility, reliability and robustness.

“The investment in the two new machines has massively increased our capacity and helped us to reduce lead times by two thirds.”

He added: “We can facilitate greater volume for our trade print partners and at the same time have spare capacity for the R&D of new application possibilities and mixed processes.

“We have mainly been using the two new HP Latex 3600 machines to print both coated and uncoated non-woven material, including specialist materials such as grass-cloth, cork, paper weave and textiles. This has in turn added a new dimension to digitally printed applications.”

Gilliat said combining the digital capabilities of the Latex printers with the traditional print operations at Surface Print offers the company “a significant advantage” over its competitors.

“Our digital facility and HP Latex machines complement our traditional print operation. While they are very different processes, they work together to provide our clients with a creative wallpaper production facility that offers something quite unique within the industry.”