For Hampshire-based artisan print studio The Liquorice Press, growth was beginning to expose the limitations of its existing production setup.
Known for specialist techniques including fine embossing, letterpress and gold foiling, the studio produces everything from luxury packaging to highly collectable bespoke playing cards. But as demand for increasingly ambitious projects grew, Managing Director Rob Escott knew it was time to rethink what the print room could deliver.
“Quite frankly, we'd reached the point where our existing print room setup was holding us back.”
Having worked with The Liquorice Press previously, Papergraphics already understood the studio and its workflow. That existing relationship meant the conversation could focus on what the business actually needed, rather than simply which machines were available.
After discussions with Francesca from the Papergraphics Hardware Team and a visit to the Papergraphics Customer Experience Centre in Crawley, Rob settled on two key additions: an HP Latex R530 hybrid printer and a Summa F Series flatbed cutter. For Rob, the decision came down to flexibility, capability and confidence in the advice he was receiving.
“Papergraphics has always been straight down the line with me – the information is always clear, and the advice has been honest, which is exactly what we are looking for.”
One workflow, far more possibilities
The two machines were chosen to work together, enabling The Liquorice Press to bring more demanding print and finishing work in-house. For a studio producing high-end, often short-run work across a wide range of materials, that flexibility is crucial.
HP Latex R530
HP Latex R530: print on roll or rigid media
The HP Latex R530 enables The Liquorice Press to print on both flexible and rigid media from a single, compact hybrid platform.
“The HP R530 looks fantastic, and the ability to print on thick material or a roll with just one machine is a big deal for us. Also, the addition of white ink is a game-changer!”
The studio works across an unusually broad range of stocks, from thin Bible paper through to material up to 5mm thick. The R530's hybrid configuration gives the team greater freedom to take on different applications without requiring separate print setups.
HP's water-based Latex technology also provides vibrant, durable output with low emissions, making the R530 a practical fit for a busy creative production environment.
For The Liquorice Press, though, the real attraction is what that flexibility means for its customers: more possibilities, fewer production constraints and the ability to respond to increasingly ambitious briefs.
Summa F Series
Summa F Series: taking Liquorice Press finishing beyond traditional die cutting
Printing is only part of the equation. With an increasing number of specialist and bespoke jobs, The Liquorice Press also needed a finishing solution capable of handling materials and applications that would traditionally require more specialist processes.
The answer was the Summa F Series flatbed cutter, equipped with a high-frequency router module.
“We'd also been looking into flatbed cutters for some time, and have seen a few of the top-end machines available. The Summa F Series really has blown us away. With the addition of the HF router module, this machine can solve about 99% of the sticking points we had with traditional die cutting.”
The Summa F Series is built around interchangeable tools and modules, allowing the system to handle a wide range of cutting and finishing applications. At The Liquorice Press, the high-frequency router will primarily be used to work with tougher rigid substrates, including acrylic, wood and plastic. Other available tooling can support applications such as kiss-cutting and creasing, giving the studio the scope to adapt its finishing capabilities as its requirements evolve.
Together, the HP R530 and Summa F Series create a more capable print-and-finish workflow – allowing the team to print, cut, route and finish a much wider range of work in-house.
And importantly, the machines are already making a difference.
“We believe these two machines will be the busiest in the works due to their ability to handle pretty much everything we throw at them. Already they're handling a good chunk of our rigid jobs.”
Summa F Series
The right equipment, backed by the right support
For a busy print studio, installing two substantial pieces of equipment is about much more than buying machinery. Delivery, installation, training and ongoing support all have to work.
That was another important part of the experience for Rob.
“Thankfully, getting the machines here was reassuringly simple. Everybody involved was on point, from delivery to installation through to training. I have moved a lot of machines over the years in this game, and the Papergraphics way was 100% spot on!”
That combination of suitable technology and practical support is exactly what Papergraphics aims to provide: helping customers assess their options, see equipment running in a real production environment and make decisions based on what will work for their individual business.
For The Liquorice Press, the result is a production setup with considerably more scope than before.
“There is nothing we can't produce now, so I can't wait to see what our clients are going to be asking for once they know what we can offer! We're very happy and excited for the future.”
Could you be our next success story?
If you're considering new print or finishing equipment, we're happy to offer straightforward, no-obligation advice based on your business, applications and production requirements.
You can also see equipment such as the HP Latex R530 and Summa F Series in action at our Customer Experience Centre in Crawley, West Sussex.
Call: 0345 1300 662
Email: info@paper-graphics.com
Customer Experience Centre
Customer Experience Centre
Customer Experience Centre
Customer Experience Centre
Customer Experience Centre
Customer Experience Centre