Signs Express (Slough) has selected Tech8, the technical service, support and spares provider for the wide format digital printing industry, to provide cover for its Mimaki JV3 wide format digital printer.  Tech8 offers rapid response breakdown cover provided by a fleet of fully-trained field service engineers and its all-inclusive warranties include accidental damage cover as standard.

Signs Express (Slough) produces all its printed output on the Mimaki JV3.  Its previous technical support provider insisted that Mimaki inks be used or the warranty would be voided.  However, Signs Express wanted to take advantage of cost savings that could be realised by switching to alternative inks.  They also wanted to fit a more cost-effective policy that better suited their needs.

On the decision to switch to Tech8 support, Richard Browne, owner of Signs Express (Slough), comments, "As well as insisting we stuck with original inks, our previous technical support provider insisted on charging us for spare parts when – in their mind – damage had been caused by operator error... a very grey area to say the least."

He continues, "Tech8 approached us with the offer of Colorific alternative inks at a greatly reduced price to the originals.  Crucially, Tech8 was also able to offer us a less-expensive warranty arrangement using these inks and with complete spare parts cover – regardless of how the damage was caused."

Signs Express (Slough) has recently completed an interesting project where it wrapped a vending machine in output produced on its Mimaki JV3 printer running Colorific inks, supported by Tech8.  Richard Browne explains, "There were two vending machines tested alongside each other in the hotel's facilities - one with our printed wrap and one without.  Unsurprisingly, the one with printed graphics on it did a lot more business that the one without.  As a result of this success, these wraps were rolled out nationally generating greatly increased revenue for both the client and ourselves."

As all this output is being created on the JV3 printer it is crucial that the machine is up and running.  As Richard Browne points out, "As the majority of our work now includes print, no printer equals no profit.  We have had a couple of problems of late regarding worn out print heads and a pump.  These spare part issues were resolved speedily by Tech8 and the printer is operating as well as ever."

He adds, "Tech8's engineers really know their business.  Problems we have had have been diagnosed quickly and the service has been efficient and unobtrusive.  Tech8 provides us with good service all round!"

Justin Atkinson, business manager at Tech8, concludes, "We're really pleased to be working with Signs Express in Slough and supporting them in their innovative projects.  Our warranties with inclusive accidental cover really do make the difference to these types of businesses as they need their printers to be fully operational at all times.  We believe the rapid-response technical support service we offer is great value for money."

Further information on Tech8 products and services can be found at www.tech8.eu