UV technology expands the range of media possibilities
Wide format solvent printers have been around for almost 20 years and in that time we’ve seen the rise of UV printing, eco-solvent, latex, solvent UV and so on. As exclusive UK & Ireland distributor for Mimaki products, Hybrid Services national sales manager John de la Roche explains how the technology is helping PSPs maximise the opportunities.
The Mimaki UCJV Series brings revolutionary technology to the sign and graphics market using the very latest LED UV cure inks and offering an unparalleled range of applications from one machine and already proving very popular with sign makers, print providers and graphics houses. With Greenguard Gold ink certification and powerful yet easy to use RIP and cutting software included as standard, the UCJV provides broad reaching capabilities for producing profitable and innovative graphics.
For signmakers with restricted space available, the UCJV300-75 is the smallest member of the family, sharing the same innovative feature set as its larger siblings, this 80cm model brings incredible capabilities in a highly compact footprint. Sign & Digital UK held in April was one of the first opportunities to see the smaller Mimaki UCJV printer cutters that officially launch this month. Adding three new widths to the 1.6m model, Hybrid Services showed the UCJV300-75 on its stand. Sharing the same innovative feature set as its larger siblings, this 80cm model brings incredible capabilities in a highly compact footprint.
With an integrated print and cut workflow, the UCJV sports Greenguard certified, opaque white ink in addition to its vibrant, process colours.
Signage applications include backlit textile graphics, decals, banners and PoS
“Of the many talents the new models share with the 1.6m version, the combination of Mimaki’s creative prowess and the flexible LUS-170 inks delivers huge application options including backlit textile graphics, decals, banners, point of sale and other signage.
Expanded range of materials
Introduced in the final quarter of last year and soon to be available in four print widths, the Mimaki UCJV300 is a technologically superior range of printer/cutters featuring low running costs and instantly dry ink, which allows printing to a wide range of materials such as PET film and fabric. Its LED UV curing technology enables PSPs to utilise an expanded range of materials including uncoated print media and many thin film substrates that may be too heat sensitive for latex or solvent high heat fixation systems.
Solutions such as Mimaki’s orange solvent ink and huge range of vinyl printing hardware and even our unique die-cutting technology make a real difference to users around the world.
The flexible LUS-170 UV inks were developed and released at the same time as the UCJV and include opaque white ink in addition to its vibrant, process colours. Combined with an integrated print and cut workflow, the powerful combination of Mimaki’s creative prowess and the flexible LUS-170 inks deliver huge application options including backlit textile graphics, decals, banners, point of sale and other signage.
One of the most highly creative and innovative applications achievable with the UCJV300 is the 4-layer day/night printing offering 'one graphic - two views'. Available on the UCJV300, this process offers an enhanced print capability that allows designers to build layered, transformative graphics for backlit applications.
In addition, the Mimaki UCJV300 is capable of true double-sided window graphics. Using a semi-automated feature within the RasterLink 6 Pro software that’s supplied with the machine, it can easily produce a 5-layer graphic that delivers two completely different images on the same piece of clear vinyl.