Capitol Signs: At the Leading Edge of Print

By Arlette Farland

Auckland based signage and wide format print company, Capitol Signs, have become one of the first companies in New Zealand to purchase the new HP 800W Series latex printer.

Capitol Signs are market leaders in corporate brand rollouts throughout New Zealand and the world.

They ordered their 800W printer from Computaleta late last year and are now one of only a handful of companies in New Zealand to get their hands on one.  Officially launched globally on February 3, they expect to have their new machine installed in a matter of weeks.

Justin Smith and Matt Anderson, Directors at Capitol Signs, had been discussing for some time replacing their existing eco-solvent-based printers. 

He says that signage and printing companies are expected to deliver faster and faster turnaround times, but that ensuring the solvent ink was properly outgassed meant an up-to 3 day delay for their customers.

“Speed to market and satisfying our clients is our main driver and we knew we could only do that by eliminating that outgas time.”

Justin and Matt concluded that latex technology could be the answer, so contacted HP channel partner, Computaleta, to see if they could help. 

“Their service has always been amazing, and we like that because they are New Zealand owned, they are nimble, flexible and can move quickly. 

He says that the new machine will allow Capitol Signs to grow their offering to market.

“The new machine expands our quiver and adds so many more arrows to our print bow. Speed, quality, the white ink – having the ability to print double sided on clear - and environmental safety, were all factors”

The new 800 series printers utilise HP’s recyclable water-based inks.

All of HP’s four new printer models in the 700 and 800 series range use the HP Eco Carton, a cartridge made with cardboard material, reducing carbon emissions by 60% and the amount of plastic used by 80%. 

The new range consists of four devices – the HP Latex 700 and 800, and the HP Latex 700W and 800W which offer white ink capability for the first time in this category.  It is the whitest white ink available on the market that does not yellow over time, enabling print businesses to produce neater outlines and add more contrast to darker supports.  It also comes without the complexity, with automatic recirculation and printhead cleaning, reducing manual purging.

Updated printheads possessing more nozzles and producing speeds of up to 25m2/hr (269 ft2/hr) allow the HP Latex 800 and 800W to offer 50% higher productivity levels compared to previous models, and this also means you can now print vivid colours and finer image and text details at even faster print speeds than before.

Aaron Kemp, Print Hardware Manager for Computaleta, says the new models help print service providers diversify their offering to meet more challenging customer needs. 

“The new HP portfolio also delivers faster workflows that help businesses hit deadlines, while sharpening that sustainability edge.  As a nationwide kiwi company, we are very pleased to be able to support our customers, wherever they are, with service and support that is second to none.”  Mr Kemp says.