Mimaki has announced the release of two new LED-UV large-format flatbed inkjet printers, the JFX600-2513 and the JFX550-2513. Available after summer 2021, the new models are engineered for high speeds and high productivity, and offer print service providers a broader range of applications thanks to a wider range of ink types and increased media flexibility. 
 
The JFX600-2513 and the JFX550-2513 build on the success of the popular JFX500-2131 large-format UV inkjet printer. With the aim of tackling the high-end UV flatbed market, the new models bear a substantially higher number of print heads, allowing for the JFX600-2513 to reach speeds of more than 300 percent faster than its predecessor, and the JFX550-2513 over 150 percent faster. Available in a six colour configuration, the wide variety of ink sets facilitates vibrant, intense colours perfect for striking indoor and outdoor signage and display graphics.  
 
Thanks to Mimaki’s seventh-generation UV print technology, the range of media these new models support opens the door for a myriad of applications including large-scale decoration, sign displays, and interior materials. With a maximum printing area of 2.5m x 1.3m and a thickness of 6cm, both the JFX600-2513 and the JFX550-2513 are compatible with standard size signboard production, and their direct-to-substrate capabilities also allow for printing on resin, wood, glass, and metal. Both printers are also capable of ‘2.5D’ multi-layered printing, creating raised texture effects for high-value, tactile applications.
 
Bert Benckhuysen, Senior Product Manager at Mimaki Europe, comments, “With more speed, colours, and media options, there is a whole world of opportunities with the new JFX600-2513 and JFX550-2513. As the market leader in large format UV flatbed printing, Mimaki is driven by the creativity and resilience of our customers to keep innovating and improving what we do. The predecessor to these latest models, the JFX500-2131, gave us a strong foundation to build on, and we have pushed the boundaries of productivity and versatility to bring two more world-class LED-UV large-format flatbed inkjet printers to market.”
 
Mimaki is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Hybrid Services Ltd and the company’s Managing Director, Brett Newman anticipates strong uptake of the new models. “Mimaki’s continual drive to respond to market demand for increased productivity, quality and innovation has shaped the development of these two new JFX models. Providing a hugely capable solution for companies looking to boost their capacity and introduce new levels of creativity, we very much look forward to bringing them to market later this year.”
 
The UV inks developed in-house for the JFX600-2513 and JFX550-2513 have been certified as “GREENGUARD Gold” for meeting exacting chemical substance standards and environmental safety requirements, as defined by independent safety organization UL. In addition, the new models support Mimaki’s “MDL command”, allowing operators to control machines from external devices resulting in both JFX machines complying with Industry 4.0 requirements, making it possible to integrate them into an automated workflow.

Mimaki Europe has today announced that it will exhibit its broad portfolio of cutting-edge digital print technologies at the first ever virtual drupa (20-23 April 2021). The company’s brand-new “100 Series” will take centre stage on its interactive virtual booth alongside brand-new additions to its powerful product portfolio, unveiled at the event. In addition, Mimaki will launch a special promotion at virtual drupa for selected products, making its product portfolio even more appealing to those companies looking to diversify their business.
 
In line with virtual drupa’s goal to help the industry keep in contact, grow their networks and generate leads in today’s challenging times, Mimaki will use the event to demonstrate its latest business-enhancing digital printing solutions and to highlight numerous application opportunities. “Faced with the current circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, we all need to adapt and come together to come through this challenging situation,” says Danna Drion, Marketing Manager, Mimaki EMEA. “For the last 12 months, Mimaki has been at the forefront, supporting customers and prospects with virtual events, networking and educational opportunities to overcome the impact and challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. Online events remain central to our strategy and virtual drupa represents a key opportunity for us to share our expertise and encourage print service providers to join us and find new ways to drive their business forward.”
 
The company’s latest “100 Series” portfolio will be one of the highlight technologies showcased at virtual drupa. Designed to enable users to drive success amid the current market uncertainty, the new printer series offers high productivity and reliability, extreme flexibility to diversify the application range, as well as a highly competitive price-performance ratio. Mimaki’s 100 Series consists of three models: the JV100-160 roll-to-roll solvent printer, the UJV100-160 roll-to-roll LED UV printer and the TS100-1600 dye sublimation model, and each is equipped with a variety of renowned Mimaki features, including NCU (Nozzle Check Unit), NRS (Nozzle Recovery System), and DAS (Dot Adjustment System).
 
As part of the company’s long-term commitment to drive innovation in the digital printing space, Mimaki will also introduce two brand-new printing platforms at virtual drupa. Featuring cutting-edge capabilities to print special formats and onto special substrates, the additions are designed to open new application opportunities in the large format and fashion industries. Mimaki’s experts will also be on hand to provide an insight into the company’s full colour 3D printing technology and relevant application opportunities.
 
“By showing our extensive portfolio of cutting-edge technologies at virtual drupa, we aim to demonstrate our clear commitment to the industry. Leveraging our flexibility, forward-thinking approach, and R&D expertise, we are able to adapt quickly to market changes and address new customer opportunities to deliver constant system improvements or brand-new innovations,” comments Drion. “The ‘100 Series’ excels when it comes to efficiency and high-quality, while also offering flexibility to produce a wide array of applications, from vibrant wallpapers to high-quality signboards. Further to that, the new additions to be unveiled at the show will break new boundaries in their market segments.”
 
Mimaki is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Hybrid Services.
 

When the time comes to invest in your next LED UV printer, having the opportunity to choose from a broad range of ink types is a critical part of the buying process. Consideration of what you’re really looking to achieve from your hardware investment will help better understand how alternative and additional revenue can be added to your business.

Mimaki’s range of large format flatbed printers has remained a popular solution for a broad array customers for over fifteen years; the company’s long held reputation in the sector goes right back to its first UK showing of a large format model at IPEX back in 2006. As one of the earliest adopters of LED UV curing technology, the Japanese innovator offers an unprecedented choice in ink types, bed sizes and potential applications, and with the range encompassing options from the A3 format UJF-3042FX right up to the 10’ x 5’ JFX500 model (pictured above), we’re able to supply solutions for practically any application.

Hybrid Services has appointed Duncan Jefferies in the new role of Head of Marketing & Business Development. Since joining the company in 2002, Jefferies has been directly involved with the UK and Ireland Mimaki distributor’s marketing and communications, and his appointment to Hybrid’s senior management team underlines the company’s future plans.
 
“Duncan and I have worked closely together on every aspect of our marketing during my time at Hybrid,” says Managing Director, Brett Newman. “I foresee a seamless transition into the new role, and in creating the new senior management team, his experience and understanding of the business and wider industry will prove invaluable. Our plans for growth naturally revolve around the effective delivery of core marketing and product strategies, and Duncan’s appointment will ensure this is successfully administered.”
 
In the new role, Jefferies will lead the company’s sales and marketing functions. “Duncan’s knowledge and longstanding relationship with both Hybrid and Mimaki brands will be a real asset as we push the business forwards,” continues Newman. “With Mimaki’s ever increasing levels of innovation, new technologies for emerging markets such as 3D printing, robotics and factory automation, and a continual drive for new and pioneering products, there’s never been a more important time to focus our efforts on communicating this to the market.” Jefferies takes his position alongside recently appointed Financial Director, John Roberts in the new senior management team installed by Newman following his promotion to Managing Director last autumn.
 
“It’s a privilege to be a part of the management team at Hybrid,” states Jefferies. “Having been involved with the business for nearly 20 years, I’m as excited as ever about the opportunities that the Mimaki product line-up offers. Add to that, working with an incredible group of people at Hybrid and our reseller partners, and on the back of an extremely challenging year, I’m very much looking forward to the future.”
 
Established since 1996 as Mimaki’s exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland, Hybrid celebrates its 25^th anniversary during 2021 and is currently enjoying a raft of new technology launches from the Japanese innovator, including three recently announced wide format printers in its new “100 Series” line-up. “As we build the foundations for the next 25 years at Hybrid, and in order to maximise the opportunities afforded by Mimaki’s continued innovation, key appointments such as this remain central to our strategy,” Newman concludes.