INTERVIEW
How the Mimaki UJV55-320 has changed the grand format game
Following the Mimaki UJV55-320’s launch at FESPA earlier this year, we spoke with Stuart Cole; National Sales Manager – In- dustrial Products at Mimaki’s exclusive UK and Irish distributor, Hybrid Services, to tell us why the grand format roll-to-roll LED UV printer has already gained such a strong foothold in the sign and graphics market.
Sign Update: This year’s FESPA in Ams- terdam must seem a long time ago, but what was it like being there when the UJV55 was unveiled?
Stuart Cole: It was an amazing few days. We’d seen the printer beforehand so were looking forward to showing it to our cus- tomers. But the response was unprece- dented! To witness the enthusiasm from our resellers and customers first hand was hugely satisfying. An expert view from in- dustry professionals is always invaluable, and it backed up our initial thoughts that this was a printer destined to be a game- changer. Taking so many orders during the show was the icing on the cake.
Sign Update: Sign & Digital UK followed shortly after. Did you find that to be a simi- lar experience?
Stuart Cole: Absolutely! The UK and
Irish visitors seemed to be drawn to the printer; for many it was the first machine they saw when entering the halls and proved to be the star of the show. With print speeds up to 110sq m/hour, backed up by typical Mimaki high quality output, it stood out as something special.
Sign Update: What makes the printer so different?
Stuart Cole: It comes down to something Mimaki is historically very good at, which is delivering a product that offers a solution to a genuine need. The UJV55 has an attrac- tive purchase price of £59,995 and means signmakers and print companies can bring their grand format work in-house.
Sign Update: How important is LED tech- nology to the success of the printer?
Stuart Cole:We should all be aware of the many advantages of LED UV curing by now. So by leveraging these, compared to out- moded mercury halide lamps, companies benefit from substantially lower running costs; a wider choice of media; and signifi- cant environmental advantages too.
Sign Update: How does it reduce running costs?
Stuart Cole: It’s a combination of
things,;LED UV curing requires 75 per cent less power to run the lamps, so that’s 75 per cent less electricity consumed. Our latest LED UV inks are competitively priced. When combined with the UJV55’s frugal ink use, it’s possible to produce grand format banners with ink costs below 50p per square metre; and even high coverage backlit graphics with ink costs under £2.50 per square metre.
With its variable dot print heads and the ability to run in either four colour, or seven colour configuration that includes white ink, much of the output that can be produced on the UJV55-320 is quality, high value print. Margins should be strong, making produc- ing work in-house even more attractive.
Sign Update: What would you say to sign- makers looking to grow their business?
Stuart Cole: The UJV55-320 is a unique solution that allows signmakers to approach their work more profitably, more efficiently and more competitively. By producing grand format print in house, such as backlit graphics, soft signage or banners, they can remain in control of the process, keep costs low and retain margin. Mimaki has broken down the barriers by engineering a 3.2m machine at such a low purchase price. Coupled with their peerless UV printing heritage, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
www.hybridservices.co.uk
Stuart Cole, Hybrid Services.
Capable of running two 1.6m rolls side-by- side, it also offers productivity enhance- ments for wide format jobs.
24 Sign Update ISSUE 167 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
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