A deal inked between Avon Graphics, Mimaki and Spicers at drupa for a pair of Mimaki wide format inkjet printers – a JFX500-2131 and a dye-sub TS300P –makes the Australian trade printing specialist the largest JFX500 user in the world. The company will run 13 Mimakis between its Melbourne and Sydney facilities once the installation is completed.
Avon director Tate Hone signed off the sale with Jason Hay of Spicers, Mimaki’s agent in Australia, after negotiations with Brad Creighton on the Mimaki stand.
Hone said, “As a trade only supplier of large format printing, cutting and finishing we feel that the Mimaki technology allows Avonto produce the quality that printers expect. Our customers are accustomed to offset quality. They won’t accept anything less. When we began wide format two years ago we were impressed by the quality of the Japanese inkjet heads. We then discovered the Mimaki machines and we’ve been with them ever since.
“The variable ink droplet size means that we can offer the best quality while still maintaining the speed needed to meet market demand. The LED cold cure system allows us to run stocks like polypropylene without having to worry about heat curl etc, which has been an issue in the past.
“Also, the taint or smell of the inks with conventional UV has sometimes dictated that in store prints had to be laminated. The LED cured Mimaki inks have no odour. We have also had great outcomes with the adhesion of the inks, which has caused some concern with previous projects.
“Here at Avon Graphics we see our trade large format service growing into the future and feel that the Mimaki products can help take us there. The Mimaki support has been great. Installation, training and ongoing service have all been dealt with seamlessly.”