Label manufacturer and engraving expert Matform has installed a Mimaki UJF-7151 Plus direct-to-object flatbed LED UV printer to expand its applications reach.
The new machine - from CMYUK - replaces a decade-old Mimaki UJF-3042 FX and not only allows the company to produce labels at higher quality and greater speeds, but the printable 71 x 51cm bed size has bought with it other benefits.
“With the 7151Plus, we’re able to produce eight-up artwork, whereas with our old A3 machine we were restricted to two- or three-up. Our investment exposes us to many new opportunities - taking us beyond labels and into the promotional side of the market,” said Jon Tucker, sales manager.
The 1200dpi UJF-7151 handles direct-to-substrate print at up 153mm thick. “The fact that it’s such a versatile piece of equipment that can handle a wide variety of substrates, means it will attract new customers and with them new applications,” he added.
“The Mimaki 7151 Plus makes it comfortable enough for a single operator to either load six sheets or a large single one. We no longer have to turn work away,” works manager Ian Curling also pointed out.
Matform uses Mimaki’s UV curable LH 100 inks, which it previously used with its older machine, but the bonus here is that the ink comes in litre bottles rather than 40ml cartridges.
The 7151 Plus comes with process, white and clear inks plus a primer. Matform uses the white ink to carry out in-house cold embossing. “The ink is quite forgiving. You can adjust the software for levels of opaqueness, you can lay down two coats of white or as many layers as you want. There’s also a varnish option. We’ve had quite a few customers ask us about producing Braille labels as we have the ability to build layers with the varnish to create a Braille effect,” said Curling.
Another application area gaining traction at the company is the printing of sequential QR codes. Tucker said: “We’re printing unique markings on so many different substrates - we’ve printed codes on wood for restaurants. We now have the capabilities that allow us to be truly versatile.”