HP today announced that SCIA, of Argenteuil, France, has installed the new HP Scitex LX800 Printer to extend its application portfolio and provide environmentally conscious customers with graphics printed using HP Latex Technology.
SCIA provides a large and varied customer-base with interior and exterior graphics, including POS, pop-ups, banners and window coverings. The company installed the 3.2m (126in) HP Scitex LX800 Printer for its production and environmental benefits - both from a product and internal production perspective.
"We found that printers using solvent-based inks create an uncomfortable working environment," explained Laetitia Lelandais, partner, SCIA. "Rather than investing in extractor equipment, we decided to purchase the LX800, since not only do the HP Latex Inks it uses require no ventilation (1), but the ability to print odourless (2) large format applications opened an entire new range of business opportunities for SCIA."
The HP Scitex LX800 Printer uses water-based HP Latex Inks, producing prints that are odourless (2) and eco-friendly, as well as high quality. Capable of printing graphics up to 3.2m (126in) wide, the HP Scitex LX800 Printer also provides a versatile, large format solution with production speeds of up to 45m²/hr.
A business winner
Laetitia Lelandais explained, "The first project we completed on the LX800 was won as a direct result of our new, extended print capabilities. In addition, we find that being an environmentally conscious supplier is a pre-requisite in an increasing number of bid processes. Certainly this is true of one of our most long-standing customers, Agence Black [part of the Duffort Group]."
"We recently printed a 3.2 x 5.9m tarpaulin for a Land Rover and Volvo garage in Les Ulis, owned by the Duffort Group. The garage is in the process of being refurbished and, due to the extensive scaffolding at the front, many of its customers and potential customers have been assuming it is closed. The Duffort Group and Agence Black asked us to produce a large format tarpaulin graphic that would advertise the fact that the garage is open for business as usual. Utilising our new HP LX800 Printer, this job was easy to fulfil and the customer was extremely pleased with the result," continued Mrs Lelandais.
Tristan de Céleyran, Associate Director, Agence Black said in response to SCIA's recent HP investment, "SCIA's forward-looking entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to invest in equipment that helps them grow is what Agence Black needs in a supplier. I am confident that the HP Scitex LX800 will help them develop their service offering and evolve their business."
One of SCIA's main objectives for the future is to expand its interior decorating business and as the HP Scitex LX800 Printer enables it to print applications that are odourless (1) and safe to use indoors and in confined spaces, the company is now able to supply interior products on many substrates, like wallpaper, decorative canvasses, carpets and floorings.
SCIA is committed to investing in its environmental policies and is in the process of being certified a 'green print service provider', an independant environmental certification created in 1998 and delivered by Imprim'Vert.
Laetitia Lelandais concludes, "Before purchasing the HP Scitex LX800 Printer, our customer service was the only thing that distinguished us from the competition. Now, we are the print service provider that can meet short deadlines and provide high-quality, durable large format prints, that don't compromise our, or our customers', environmental objectives."
