Livingston-based Scot Signs will use its new HP Latex 1500 to support expansion into banner printing and wallpaper production.

Already established as one of the leading providers of print and signage to Scotland’s airports, sign-maker and print company Scot Signs is now seeking to move into other markets with the help of its new HP Latex 1500.

Founded in 1997, Scot Signs offers sign-making, wide-format printing and garment printing across a range of sectors, but was keen to expand its service offering further with the launch of two new businesses focusing on banner printing and wallpaper production.

Ahead of the launch, Scot Signs reached out to approved HP supplier Perfect Colours to identify a solution that would support the printing of products in these markets. Perfect Colours recommended the HP Latex 1500, having identified how the printer could help the company win new business.

Installed in November 2020, the HP Latex 1500 is now running alongside Scot Signs’ existing HP Latex 560 and HP FB750 machines, both of which were installed at the company’s site in Livingston in Scotland two years ago.

Mark Duguid, Director at Scot Signs, said that HP Latex technology has played a major role in the company’s growth in recent years, and the HP Latex 1500 will be a critical component in its new businesses – Weprintwallpaper.co.uk and Weprintbanners.co.uk – which are due to launch imminently.

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

Aside from supporting the launch of the new businesses, the HP Latex 1500 will also be put to work alongside the other HP Latex machines on Scot Signs’ existing services. The company is established as an expert 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 way-finding 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,” Mark Duguid said.

“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.”

In terms of why Scot Signs continues to return to HP when investing in new print technology, Duguid said the type of work the company produces requires a certain quality of output, and with HP, he is safe in the knowledge that this level can be achieved again and again.

“Technology moves very quickly, and therefore you need to keep up the investment to stay at the top of your game,” Mark Duguid said.

“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.”

Keen to seek out new opportunities for business, Scot Signs has recently added a number of new services to its offering in relation to its work in aviation. This includes building services, electrical, flooring and joinery all specific to the aviation sector, with the company having increased its workforce to 27 employees to support this expansion.