KETTERING, UK - Wide-format printer specialist i-Sub Digital has reported two successful Open Days at the Crewe HQ of Hybrid Services, with representatives of over 30 companies attending on October 16th and 17th. 

Guests were treated to up-close-and-personal demonstrations of wide-format printing systems from Mimaki – including the new Mimaki JV400 SUV and i-Sub Digital's innovative Digi-Foil system – with experts supplying all the facts on how these technology investments can boost business.

Digi-Foil is a groundbreaking system for the application of foils without the need for traditional dies and foil presses. Foil is applied only in areas required going down to 4pt text and even to a dot size of 0.3mm. Using a desktop Mimaki UJF UV printer, design houses and printers can produce personalised decorative products or colour-accurate packaging mock-ups in less than ten minutes with minimal waste – a formerly impossible achievement.

The speed of production and accuracy of colour means clients can see a variety of different packaging options at the first stage and potentially sign off mock-ups on the same day, rather than decisions taking weeks or months.

Richard Wildsmith, Operations Director at promotional merchandise specialist SPS, travelled to Crewe from Blackpool specifically to see Digi-Foil at work. As an existing user of the Mimaki UJF-6042, Wildsmith wanted to see how to achieve even greater value from the printer.

"It's dead easy to do," he said after attending the demonstration, adding he was impressed by its potential: "If you can print on it, you can foil it."

The Open Days were also a chance for graphic display businesses to see the new Mimaki JV400-160 SUV wide-format printer. The machine, first unveiled at FESPA 2013, combines the bright, punchy colour and glossy finish of solvent with the abrasion resistance of UV inks.

Through this hybrid approach, businesses can benefit from a wider colour gamut and more substrate options, as the instantly dry print does not need to be laminated and has outdoor durability for three years plus.

"The Open Days with Hybrid Services and Mimaki were a great success, with wide-format print businesses, design houses and packaging producers coming to Crewe from all over the UK," says Andy Spreag, Director, i-Sub Digital.

"Open house events like this provide a one-on-one, dedicated look at the machines available, educating clients to make them fully aware of the technology and its potential applications," he adds. "Many guests took the opportunity to revisit the innovations they'd seen at this year's trade shows, but this time in much more detail."

The Zünd S3 digital cutting table was also put through its paces at the two-day event, alongside the Mimaki JFX500-2131 UV flatbed printer. Demonstrating a raft of print and cut applications, including cutting and creasing polypropylene, routing Foamex, cutting display card and creating packaging products all previously printed on the Mimaki JFX500, allowed visitors to get first-hand experience of the capabilities of both machines working in harmony. With print speeds of up to 60sq/m per hour capable on the Mimaki JFX500 some amazing results were achieved with visitors able to take away the samples produced.

The Open Days with Mimaki UK and Ireland distributor Hybrid Services are part of a series of events planned by i-Sub Digital in addition to trade shows in 2014.