Page 38 - Print21 November-December 2021

Wide Format
Art meets
science
The innovative Left Bank Art Group is growing with its HP Latex R-Series flatbed printer
With more than 30 years of experience in fine art printing, Left Bank Art Group has built a name
for itself in Australia for presenting art in its finest form and pushing
the boundaries using innovative technology. They work with local artists and interior designers to reproduce their creations and also provide customised packaging for their clients.
Overcoming Challenges
As the business expanded over the years, the company came across a few challenges. Toby Simm, director and owner at Left Bank Art Group, Southport shares, “The main challenge in our business was to make sure that the costs are kept low, and turnaround times are fast.”
Partnering with HP has helped them to overcome these hurdles.
Above:
Low costs, fast turnaround: Left Bank Art Group
Below:
Water based inks for sustainable practices: HP Latex R2000
Besides expanding into new segments, they also collaborate with artists to reproduce their art on a variety of substrates that exceed clients’ expectations.
Left Bank has invested in a HP Latex R2000 Plus Printer to produce superior-quality prints and has risen to become one of the top players in the industry. Simm says, “We are now becoming known nationally
as the pinnacle of art print quality. The colours that R-Series produces... I have never seen anything like it before. Investing in this printer has been the best thing for our business. The first print of this machine was our logo on a piece of plywood. The sharpness of the reproduction was incredible. I knew I had made the right decision that very moment,”
he adds.
Seizing opportunities
HP Latex R-Series has enabled
the company to break into new territories and offer improved applications to artists across the country. “The HP Latex R-Series is doing what the UV solvent printers didn’t do. We can print on wood, glass, tiles; and the results are always sharp and high-resolution. We can now offer vivid colours and sharper details,” says Simm.
Accurate colour reproduction
of original art and other products has also given them a competitive advantage. He adds, “The opacity of the White Ink is amazing. You can print on just about anything. We can now also offer new products such
as wallpapers and leather chairs
for interior design – something
that no other business in the
local market can do. We also offer personalisation for packaging to our artists to create a more customised experience.”
Pushing boundaries
The company has been able to reduce the production time to half. The
HP R-Series printer has automated several manual processes and helped to save on materials and reduce waste – all amidst the ongoing pandemic. In Simm’s words – “We can print directly onto our substrates and achieve
more vibrant colours at higher speed (40sqm an hour versus 10sqm an hour before). With the HP Latex R-Series, we now print twice as fast, and the quality lasts much longer.”
The environment
Left Bank Art Group stays committed to protecting the
planet and makes a point to adopt sustainable business practices wherever possible. Simm explains, “With the water-based inks, the whole printing cycle is odourless. It is much safer for our employees and our customers. I know that what I’m providing my customers can’t harm them or the environment. This is a huge bonus point for me.”
Future with HP
The investment has paid off quite well, and the company now looks forward to a brighter future. “With the HP R-Series, we can think outside the box with our artists. We are excited to be working with them on creative projects such as printing on booths, tiles, chairs and even vegan leather. Our company wouldn’t probably be here without the support from HP’s staff in growing our business. Our relationship with HP goes beyond training on the new possibilities around the printer.
It is based on mutual trust, and
an ongoing relationship,” sums up Simm, as he gets ready to oversee a new print job. 21
38 Print21 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021