Global creative communications group DRPG has invested in a new HP Latex FS50W super wide printer to strengthen its long term sustainability strategy and open up a wider range of options to its diversified customer base.
Founded in 1980, DRPG creates and delivers varied integrated communications solutions, offering everything from video, events and digital applications, through to research, strategy, creative communications and large format print. With brands such as Amazon, Ferrari, Honda, DEWALT and the BBC among its clients, DRPG is dedicated to delivering quality on each project.
This forward thinking approach led DRPG to its latest investment in the form of the HP Latex FS50W, which was purchased and installed by approved HP partner Papergraphics in May 2025. The group was seeking to replace its existing 3.2m wide printer but with the aim of taking its print offering to a new level of quality and presenting clients with attractive sustainability benefits.
“I’ve always been aware of HP, and I have known Stuart Thomas [Business Development Manager at HP] for a long time; he has always kept me up to date with the latest technology,” said Lee Whitehouse, Head of Print at DRPG.
“As a company, we are B Corp accredited, have Investors in People Platinum and attained the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development back in 2022, so upgrading our print solutions to be even more eco-friendly is a key part of our sustainability strategy focused on people, planet and profit.
“This year, we’re going even further into tracking our company's Scope 3 emissions, completing a double materiality assessment. This printer will help us go into greater detail in tracking the entire supply chain including where our materials are sourced and how they are used.”
The HP Latex FS50W can handle media up to 3.2m wide and print in colour at speeds of up to 89sq m/hr. Running five litre colour cartridges and three litre white ink cartridges, users can take on a wide range of projects and collaborate with customers on all manner of innovative pieces.
On top of this, as is the case with all HP Latex machines, the printer runs HP Latex Inks, which are water based and have significantly less impact on the planet than solvent, eco-solvent and UV inks. Add in that the cartridges are paper based and can be recycled after use, and these sustainable benefits fitted in perfectly with DRPG’s own commitment to the environment.
“The FS50W ticked a lot of boxes for us, especially when it comes to quality. The colour gamut range was so much better than our previous printer,” Lee said. “It also enabled us to offer a broad range of potential applications including thin films, vinyl, and backlit textiles.
“The printer supports five layer printing, specifically for backlit displays. When using the white ink option, this allows for the creation of high quality backlit displays with multiple layers of ink, including white, to achieve optimal light diffusion and colour vibrancy.
“Scalability, sustainability and environmental impact are also key focuses with this printer. The machines offer water based odourless prints with no hazardous air pollutants, designed to meet modern environmental certifications, which are very important to us here at DRPG.”
While the HP Latex FS50W is the first HP Latex machine to be installed at DRPG, such has been its impact during the first few months of operation that the group is already considering another purchase from HP.
“We are looking at possibly replacing our large flatbed printer with a Latex R Series Printer,” Lee said. “This would allow us greater consistency with quality and colour and move us away from UV printing with DTM applications.
“HP really are leading the way when it comes to changing the large format print market to a more sustainable one. DRPG is a company that has been heading in the right direction for many years and is a great example for our own industry. It’s important that we forge partnerships with likeminded companies like HP, which is taking this to another level and truly leading the way.”
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