Verve Display Drives Sustainable Production with Epson Resin Printer

Verve Display’s commitment to helping its clients achieve a more sustainable operation has been enhanced with its investment in an Epson SureColor SC-R5000 resin ink large format printer.

The SC-R5000 produces vibrant prints with a fully water-based ink set and can print onto uncoated media, creating recyclable output while minimising environmental impact. The extremely reliable system, complete permeant printhead, is very easy to operate and has low running costs.

Simon Perkes, Managing Director, founded Verve Display in 2003. It delivers innovative and bespoke solutions from concept to concourse in large format digital print and build. It works with a wide range of household names from Sky and Mastercard to Team GB, ITV, and Great Ormond Street Hospital to name a few.

He explains: “After years in wide format and large format print sales I wanted to create a business that focused on service and not just price. From that we grew into experiential and bespoke events. We are now exclusive print partners for The O2 Arena and other AEG events. The key emphasis for that is timings. Depending on the event, we were printing on a lot of PVC and plastic materials one day and then throwing it away the next. I wanted to find a way to be more sustainable. So, in 2019 we began looking at how we could minimise our operational impact with more sustainable materials, less PVC and more capable and environmental machines, and, in turn support our clients as they look to meet their net zero targets.”

Simon tasked Verve Display’s Production Director David Blackholly with researching the possibilities. Says David: “Before the pandemic started, we began dipping our toes in the water and looking at systems and PVC free materials. We needed print production solutions that could produce very high-quality work consistently and reliably. We have two Epson solvent systems – a SureColor SC-S80600 and a SureColor SC-S60600 with Greenguard GOLD certification, so we know and trust Epson technology. It is reliable and the quality is next level. We wanted to be sure we could maintain that print quality on PVC free alternatives. We did not want to take a step back. For us the step forward was the water-based ink set where we know the quality is going to be maintained.”

He continues: “With previous systems from other suppliers we have had an issue with the material stretching. With the SC-R5000 we can be sure that when we print a drop for a wall display the drop next to it will be exactly the same and line up perfectly. Early signs show the quality is where we want it to be on PVC free substrates. This enables us to confidently print on a wider range of recyclable materials – and some are very cost effective. This will help us better support our clients looking for more sustainable options cost effectively.”

Simon adds: “We are having an increasing number of conversations about how we can be more sustainable and help our customers achieve their goals. We also have to prove it and be more transparent. The SC-R5000 will help us do that. Its water-based ink enables recyclability and its reduced energy consumption in drying the inks compared to other systems, this means it is not using tons of energy. It has a very robust build and delivers high quality printed results too. It is consistent and reliable. It ticks all our boxes. Now when we are asked if we offer a 100% completely sustainable solution we can hand on heart says yes. The inks are completely sustainable, the curing process bakes the ink, and the system is one of the most economical solutions to run.”

The 64-inch SureColor SC-R5000 was supplied by Epson reseller SEDO. Andy McGuinness, Managing Director, comments: “Simon and David were looking for equipment that would help them provide PVC-Free alternatives to traditional media for their climate conscious customers and felt the Epson SC-R5000 was the right system for the job. It allows them to continue working with their high-end customers, win new opportunities, and lead the way in providing sustainable print solutions that don’t cost the Earth, literally. Verve Display is passionate about providing sustainable print and we look forward to supporting it on its large format journey for many years to come.”

The SureColor SC-R5000 is Epson’s first resin ink large format printer. It produces accurate, colour-consistent, and fast drying prints on a wide variety of substrates with environmentally friendly, outstanding results. The series addresses the existing industry challenges of working with resin-based inks, and draws from Epson’s years of innovation in imaging, colour management and substrate control, delivering an ideal solution. Its PrecisionCore Micro TFP printhead ensures excellent print performance and colour control. Its new 6-colour UltraChrome RS inkset is an odourless, water-based resin ink and is suitable for use in any environments such as schools, hospitals, hotels, and indoor facilities.

Verve Display

Established in 2003, the Harlow, Essex, operation delivers innovative and bespoke solutions from concept to concourse in large format digital print. The event, experiential, exhibition and retail graphics specialist transforms environments through innovative production and bespoke installation.  The operation has an annual turnover of £3m and there are 22 employees.