Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral has expanded its production setup with the installation of an HP Latex R530 and HP Latex FS50W Printer, enabling the business to take on a wider range of applications in-house and better respond to growing customer demand.
Across the sign and display industry, customers are increasingly looking for faster turnaround times, larger-format applications, and more efficient production workflows. To better respond to these evolving demands and reduce reliance on outsourced production, Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral embarked on a programme to modernise its production environment, replacing printers that had been in operation for almost a decade with new HP Latex technology.
The company invested in the HP Latex R530 in March 2025, expanding its ability to produce a wider range of applications in-house across both rigid and flexible media. With support for white ink and the versatility to handle projects ranging from indoor and outdoor signage to décor, window graphics, and retail displays, the printer has enabled the business to bring direct-to-board applications, including hoarding graphics, under its own roof. As a result, the company has gained greater control over production schedules while expanding the range of materials it can print on.
A second investment, the HP Latex FS50W, further expanded capacity for large-format applications. With a maximum print width of 3.2m, the device enables the production of large-scale graphics, banners, wallpapers and building wraps in-house, reducing reliance on outsourced production while giving the team greater control over delivery timelines and the flexibility to respond to urgent customer requirements.
The expanded setup has already enabled Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral to support a broader range of projects within the local community. One recent initiative involved producing a large-format wall graphic based on artwork created by students at a nearby school. Printed on fire-retardant wallpaper media using the HP Latex FS50W, the project gave pupils the opportunity to see their designs brought to life while maintaining the safety requirements needed for educational environments. The water-based HP Latex inks enabled the media to retain its fire certification while delivering odourless output suitable for use in schools and other sensitive environments, including hospitals, offices and retail spaces.
The move to HP Latex technology has also streamlined production workflows. Unlike traditional solvent-based technologies that often require prints to outgas before finishing or installation, HP Latex prints are dry immediately after printing, allowing jobs to move through production more quickly and efficiently. The reliability of the systems has also enabled the company to run longer jobs overnight with confidence, helping maximise production capacity during busy periods and giving the team greater flexibility when managing urgent customer requests.
“The investment has transformed how we operate,” said Ian Furlong, Co-Owner of Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral. “We can now produce a much wider range of applications ourselves, improve turnaround times, respond to changing customer demands, and pursue new opportunities without relying on outsourced production, putting us in a stronger position to grow profitably. “
Colin Easton, UK&I Large Format Print Country Lead at HP, said: “Signs Express Liverpool and Wirral is a great example of how print businesses are using technology to take greater control of production and unlock new applications. By bringing more work in-house with HP Latex technology, the team has created a more agile operation that can respond faster to customers while continuing to grow its business.”
To see the full story and hear directly from the team, watch the complete customer success video here.
To learn more about HP Latex technology, click here.