In the fiercely competitive large-format printing market, technology can make or break a business. Investing in the right technology at the right time can make a positive, long-term impact on a company's bottom line. For the last six years, Press On Digital Imaging (PODI) has made HP its technology provider of choice.
The U.K.–based company tried many manufacturers' models before turning to HP in 2003 when it was drawn by HP's rapid technology advancements. In August 2009, PODI turned to HP technology again to set itself apart from the competition, becoming one of the first to use the new HP Designjet L25500 Printer with HP Latex Inks.
PODI needed no-compromise performance for its busy retail, events and construction customers, and it was eager to put the HP Designjet L25500 to work. "This is an ideal printer for anyone wanting an all-around performer that's easy to use and has indoor and outdoor versatility," explains Andy Wilson, PODI managing director. "Plus, it has the same reliability HP is known for, and HP Latex Inks that improve my work environment and give me a competitive edge."
Do-it-all versatility and ease of use
With a customer base that demands a wide range of large-format printing offerings, Press On Digital Imaging benefits from the indoor and outdoor versatility of the HP Designjet L25500. HP Latex Inks deliver sharp, vivid image quality that stands up to close inspection as well as long-lasting, durable prints that withstand the elements.
PODI immediately put these capabilities to the test on both fronts. It printed advertisements for an international coffee company for placement on elevator doors in malls around London. It also created outdoor prints for the 8-foot walls that surround construction at the Park Lane Hilton in London. In both settings, the results were outstanding — and fast.
Wilson notes that HP Latex Inks' fast dry times were essential. Compared with solvent-based printing, PODI saved more than eight hours of drying time on the elevator-door prints. It also saved 36 hours of drying time on the prints for the Hilton, which allowed the company to produce the 516.67 square feet (48 square metres) of advertising in just three days.
The HP Designjet L25500's versatility and fast turnaround times help PODI meet tight deadlines, and it provides tremendous advantages when it comes to winning print jobs. "The quickest company is often the one that gets the work. With HP Latex Inks, we'll never again worry if the prints are dry, and we'll be that much faster than the competition," Wilson explains.
Beyond these features, Wilson says the ease of use of the HP Designjet L25500 also stands out. He explains that, because of the HP Latex Inks' consistent results, "you don't have to learn through trial and error like you do with a solvent-based printer. Plus, you don't have to strip it down every morning and clean it religiously. When the printheads run out, you simply replace them."
Competing-edge printing
The HP Designjet L25500 and water-based HP Latex Inks also provide Press On Digital Imaging many of the benefits of eco-solvent-ink technology, without the environmental, health and safety considerations. The benefits to print service providers are significant. The inks require no hazard labels and contain no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).1 Plus, they are nonflammable and noncombustible.2 All of this can help to create an improved working environment for printer operators.
The benefits to environmentally conscientious customers are also substantial. The HP Designjet L25500 produces odorless prints3 and is compatible with HP recyclable large-format media, including new HP Light Textile Display Banner which can be recycled through the HP Large-format Media take-back program.4 Wilson says that by avoiding landfill disposal and associated expenses, media recyclability could present real cost advantages that can be passed on to customers.
Benefits to customers and print operators lead to a distinct competitive advantage. According to Wilson, many customers in the United Kingdom put a high priority on reducing the environmental impact of printing. "Green solutions are increasingly required by customers. Having a product with a better environmental profile opens doors and wins business," he says.
Reliable performance makes a smart investment
The competitive nature of large-format printing means there is no room to make mistakes or miss deadlines. That requires technology with performance that is always reliable. And Wilson explains that reliability is one of the main reasons he's stayed with HP, and why he runs a fleet of eight HP Designjet Printers.
"When I'm bidding for a job," Wilson says, "I need to have the confidence that I can deliver on time. If the machine breaks down, I've lost a customer for good. We're a small business, and technology is a big investment. In my experience, HP technology has always been reliable."
