Worcester, UK - UK-based Signs & Labels Hereford Ltd. has recently purchased a new Mimaki JFX200-2513 from Stanford Marsh Group Graphics (SMGG) in order to open up new markets thanks to its ability to print onto materials from mirrors to wood.

Founded in 1999, Signs & Labels Hereford has grown organically from small beginnings to become one of the leading suppliers of signs and displays within the Hereford area.  Success has been built on hard work and a commitment to provide a quality service to clients, combined with a continued investment in the very latest digital print technology.

The company supplies a wide range of solutions for the sign and display market, including all types of signage and banners, pop-up displays as well as a full vehicle livery service – from design through to installation.  Up until recently, Signs & Labels Hereford was producing all of its output on a Roland SOLJET Pro 4 XR-640 large format print and cut machine.  

Earlier in 2014, the company started the search for a new printer to sit alongside the Roland machine and help to expand Signs & Labels Hereford’s offerings.  Having reviewed all the options available in the market, the company settled on the latest addition to Mimaki’s family of UV LED flatbed printers, the JFX200-2513, which delivers unparalleled results. 

Of particular interest to Signs & Labels Hereford are the LED lamps on the Mimaki machine which are not only cheaper to run than traditional UV lamps but also give off less heat – thereby reducing media warping on substrates such as Corex.

Signs & Labels Hereford contacted Mimaki for a list of approved resellers and – having spoken to a number of them – settled on working with SMGG.  John Hughes, Director at Hereford Signs & Labels explains: “Steve Guest and the team from SMGG showed the most enthusiasm; not only were they extremely helpful on the phone, they also took the time to come out and visit our business on many occasions to do site surveys and establish a comprehensive understanding of our requirements.”

The Mimaki JFX200 is an affordable, high-performance flatbed UV LED printer with excellent build quality.  It delivers a highly desirable combination of quality, speed and value and its flatbed format means that it is ideally suited to the production of rigid display boards, packaging and exhibition panels.  John Hughes confirms: “The Mimaki JFX200-2513 is an incredibly robust and flexible machine and enables us to print 8ft x 4ft sheets up to 50mm thick – at an entry-level price.

“The new Mimaki printer has been invaluable as it reduces our production time significantly, negating the mounting of vinyl onto rigid substrates, and enables us to target new markets.”

Government grant

The price of the new Mimaki printer was reduced further when SMGG supported Signs & Labels Hereford in liaising with Hereford & Worcester Council.  The Council awards a number of grants to local businesses to aid with expansion and SMGG and Signs & Labels Hereford managed to secure a £10,000 business development payment towards the machine’s cost.

The new Mimaki printer offers unlimited creative opportunities.  It has the capability to print on to a wide range of substrates and – since the printer’s installation in October 2014 – the company has put the machine to good use.  John Hughes says: “The Mimaki printer has opened up many new opportunities for us as we’ve been able to print on a wider variety of materials, from mirrors through to metals, plastics and wood.  

“All of these first class signage and display solutions are being created and manufactured in our premises in Hereford and delivered to our customers in the local area.”

The expansion of Signs & Labels Hereford’s product line is keeping the company very busy, but John Hughes is not resting on his laurels.  He concludes: “We will continue to grow the business by investing in the very latest equipment to ensure we continue to meet and exceed our customers’ requirements.  As a result of the company’s exceptional service, we will certainly look to work with SMGG to meet these needs.”

SMGG benefits from a nationwide field-based account management team and is able to send out its consultants to any business in the UK to explain the benefits of the Mimaki JFX200 printer.  The company can also arrange demonstrations of the printer and offers a number of flexible finance options* – such as deferred payment – from its own in-house finance company.

As a leading independent solutions provider for the wide format and 3D print sectors, Stanford Marsh offers solutions from Canon, HP, Mimaki, Mutoh and Stratasys amongst others, alongside the associated consumables and finishing devices.  The company, which employs around 100 staff, has its headquarters in Worcester and also has offices in Bristol, Derby, South Wales and Scotland.