HP is bidding to make sure small businesses keep haemorrhaging high priced ink and toner by snaffling a Utah firm which produces logos and other graphic design work.

The target company, Utah-based Artesis, operates Logoworks, which is described as a “web-based graphic design service”. It claims to be able to provide everything from logos to a full set of marketing collateral at “a fraction of market cost”. The firm also owns a DIY design service, Logomaker. Its services range from business cards, to website design, to corporate golf balls.

HP said that the deal meant it could “provide the right mix of cost savings, flexibility and professional quality to help make a small business look big.”

Presumably, this will also mean small businesses cranking big amounts of paper and ink and toner through office printers in small runs, rather than taking the more traditional – and arguably lower unit cost option – of using a dedicated print shop or printworks.®

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