Manchester-based graphics and fabric printing specialist, Media Co Ltd, has pledged its commitment to sustainability via a new carbon reduction programme powered by HP Latex and HP Stitch print technology.
MediaCo offers a unique range of specialist print services, from wallpapers to racing car livery wraps, working with a wide range of market sectors to produce contemporary exhibition and interior display graphics, sports and live event branding and out-of-home advertising displays. MediaCo is the UK’s first TS62 accredited building wraps producer and installer. TS62 is an industry recognised certification that deems a printed product as being safe to externally cover a building or scaffolding. These include printed building wraps which are flame retardant and environmentally friendly.
In response to growing demand, the company recently launched ‘MediaCo-Ecosure’, its customer-focused sustainability programme concerned with providing counsel on the most up-to-date range of eco-complaint materials. Additionally, customers can review their waste recycling requirements. Full colour, eco-complaint samples are distributed in an informative display box, with the company’s sustainability cycle printed on the inside.
Stephen Arthur, Group Operations Director at MediaCo, comments: “The MediaCo-EcoSure programme was created to provide customers or prospects access to the most-up-to date sustainable material choices and provide transparency in our approach to sustainability. Sustainability is a complex area and we felt it important, as a leading producer, to focus on ‘post printed materials’, which are presented in our new samples pack.”
MediaCo keeps detailed records of manufacturing data to assist with waste reduction, improvement of productivity and most importantly, to help customers embrace an ‘environment first’ philosophy, which has steered the company’s investment in its ultra-modern production operation. Since 2008, MediaCo has reduced 100% solvent ink use to 5%, with UV inks accounting for 50% usage and water-based for 45%. In the last two years, MediaCo has purchased two HP Latex 3600 printers from Papergraphics and one HP Stitch S1000 printer from RA Smart, with a second HP Stitch S1000 device now being considered.
"The two Latex printers offer excellent sustainability benefits as both machines run on water-based inks which have a significantly lower impact on the environment compared with other ink types. The HP Latex 3600 printers are also very competitive when it comes to initial capital investment on ongoing running costs. All machines are fully integrated within our busy 24hr production operation producing top class display graphics for self-adhesive vehicle wraps, full colour digital wallpapers, window graphics, full colour fabrics and an array of high-quality display collateral.
“The HP Latex machines have been put to work on some astounding projects. We took a strategic decision to add HP water-based printers to our production capabilities which now totals three machines – a trend we see continuing as the print quality and reliability of the machines is excellent and they align perfectly with our sustainability strategy.
"Our enthusiasm and commitment to sustainability has been continuous over 15 years. We have at all times monitored and considered global and national environmental initiatives, EU REACH, ISO 14001 standards and recommendations resulting from Carbon Trust site report".
MediaCo was first ISO 14001 accredited in 2008 and invited the Carbon Trust to complete a site visit in 2015 and have since acted on their recommendations. In 2021 the company also commenced carbon offsetting, certified under the Make it Wild carbon offset programme and have recently completed the world leading ECOVARDIS sustainability questionnaire.
MediaCo also operates two of the UK’s only 5m wide dye-sublimation printers providing seamless prints up to 5.0m wide by almost any length, removing the need for seams and risk of poor image registration or puckering when sewn. Another advantage of dye-sublimation fabrics is they do not need to be rolled. Instead, they are folded, reducing weight and distribution costs whilst delivering exceptional print quality and creaseless display graphics.
Jane Rixon, HP's Large Format Production Business Development Manager commented: "MediaCo is a great example of how shrewd investment in industrial technology, such as the HP Latex and Stitch range, can enable growth opportunities for years to come. HP's printing technology is at the forefront of the sustainability reform within the print and textile industry. Businesses investing in HP printing solutions are unlocking their organisation's wider sustainability credentials and contributing to a greener, more efficient, future.”
Learn more about HP Latex R1000 solutions here
