We've been hearing it more and more lately — customers genuinely surprised at how quickly their signage is turning around. Here's what's changed.
We're pleased to announce the installation of the HP Latex R530 at NPS Caremore — our first direct-to-board flatbed press, and the biggest single step forward in our signage and graphics capability to date.
What's Changed — and Why It Matters to You
Until recently, producing board-based signage meant printing onto vinyl, then physically applying that vinyl to a rigid substrate. It's a two-stage process, and the time it takes shows in your lead time.
The R530 eliminates that entirely. It prints directly onto the board itself, cutting out a full production stage and dramatically compressing the gap between order and delivery. Where we were previously producing around 10–12 wrapped boards per day, the R530 is capable of up to 8 full 4×8 boards per hour — a step change in throughput that puts short-notice requirements well within reach that simply weren't possible before.
Combined with our existing roll-to-roll capacity across the wider fleet, we're now producing over 400 metres of printed media per day — the bandwidth to handle volume orders, rapid turnarounds and last-minute briefs simultaneously.
A Much Wider Range of Materials
Direct-to-board also opens up a significantly broader substrate range. The R530 handles:
- Correx (corrugated plastic) — ideal for events, estate agents and temporary outdoor signage
- Foamboard — lightweight display and exhibition graphics
- Aluminium composite — durable external signage and fascias
- Acrylic and polycarbonate — premium display and retail graphics
- Honeycomb and compressed board — rigid display panels
- PVC banner and self-adhesive vinyl — via the integrated roll-to-roll system
- Canvas, polyester and textile — display and soft signage
From a single correx board for a local event to a full suite of aluminium composite fascias for a care home refurbishment — all produced in-house, to a consistent standard, at pace.
Better for Your Environment Too
The R530 uses HP Latex ink — water-based, low-odour, and entirely appropriate for sensitive environments like care homes, healthcare facilities and schools where solvent inks aren't suitable. Prints are scratch-resistant, UV-stable for outdoor use, and require no lamination for most indoor applications, keeping both cost and lead time down.
Get in Touch
Whether you have a specific project in mind or just want to understand what's now possible, our signage team would love to hear from you. We offer account management both in-office and on the road.
Call us: 0191 238 6008 | 01642 481 138
Email: support@npscaremore.co.uk