Elite Signs turns over its large-format printer to PPE ID badge production

Bridgend-based Elite Signs has printed nearly 15,000 PPE ID labels for NHS staff treating Covid-19 patients.

Director, Simon James, said. "We supply vehicle graphics for a range of sectors. This requires a two-person team, which isn't possible while social distancing. We also specialise in signage but with our suppliers closed we're not able to take on this work." Instead the company has turned its attention to a request from a nurse at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. In a post on Facebook, she explained that PPE worn by hospital staff was making it difficult to tell people apart and asked for ideas on how to solve the problem. Elite Signs was recommended as a business with the equipment to help. "We decided on colour-coded stickers that NHS staff could write their names on in ball-point pen, stick over PPE and throw away," said James. "For one team of 20 nurses, ten doctors and consultants, and ten support staff, changing scrubs three to four times a day we worked out 3,500 name stickers would last just 13.5 days. We initially printed 5,000 to be safe." Other hospitals in South Wales have now been in touch and to date Elite Signs has printed nearly 15,000 PPE ID labels. Normally used for signs and vehicle wraps, Elite Sign is using its Roland Soljet Pro 4 XR-640 large-format printer/cutter to produce dozens of 250-sticker sheets. Existing stock has also been used, namely Metamark MD5 polymeric calendered vinyl, typically used for vehicle graphics. Elite Signs has been offered financial assistance from a customer, reinforced concrete specialist Stephenson, to continue the project. Elite Signs has also been helping out the nation's parents currently home-schooling their children by turning its most colourful vehicle graphics designs into colouring-in sheets. James has also created an ambulance picture that kids can print out and colour in, in tribute to the NHS.