The “Greening” of the Sign Industry – Green Signs Now Possible

HP Gets the “Exceptional” BERTL Award

The Greening of the Sign Industry

Slowly, but surely, the sign industry is going green. The inks we use, and the products we put the ink on (media), are changing. HP is leading the way in both areas. In 2010 HP received three BERTL Awards (Business Equipment and Test Laboratory) for their Designjet L25500 printer and latex inks. HP has also been leading the way in bringing recyclable media to market.

BERTL is an independent testing laboratory whose purpose is “to provide objective, independent product evaluation reports and comparative analysis.” Manufactures provide no funding and are prohibited from having any control over the testing and analysis BERTL performs.

The Designjet L25500 printer received the BERTL’s “Exceptional Certified Five Star Rating” for its impressive print quality, the versatility it provides for indoor and outdoor applications, and meeting the demand for eco-friendly signs. Art Wynne, President of BERTL said “… the HP Designject L25500 Printer and HP Latex Inks stood out for their potential to make a major impact on the market.”

The Designjet printer also received BERTL’s “Best Award for Eco-Friendly Wide Format Inkjet Printer” because it allows print-providers to respond to the demands of a rapidly developing marketplace for environmentally friendly signs.

BERTL’s “Best Award for Best Innovation in Environmentally Friendly Ink” went to HP’s latex inks. These inks are the first of their kind – finally, an alternative to solvent inks. There are solvent inks on the market that claim to be “eco-friendly” – a step in the right direction but solvent ink nonetheless.  Water-based Latex inks are odorless and low-VOC which are important in hospital signs and food industry signs.

HP has several new print media products on the market and other manufacturers are following suit. HP’s PVC-free wallpaper meets the GREENGUARD Children & Schools standard for low emitting products and AgBB criteria for low VOC emissions indoors. Their HDPE Reinforced banner material is recyclable through HP’s recycling program – zero landfill impact! There are two recyclable textile banner materials to choose from that are Oeko-Tex Certified which ensures there are no harmful substances in them. Five different recyclable poster papers are either FSC or PEFC Certified which means they are produced in a forest-friendly manner.

It’s a start – a big start actually! At Spot-On Signs & Graphics we are excited to be able to offer our customers the advantages the HP Designjet L25500 printer and latex ink brings. We chose this printer specifically for its leading-edge green technology. We are always looking for new green products so our clients have options. Call us to learn how we can help you use eco-friendly signs.