Mimaki delivers the full package

Its European launch at FESPA Digital earlier this year is being closely followed by a UK debut at Sign and Digital UK, and due to ‘unprecedented demand’, forward orders are being taken on the printer already after Europe ran out of its allocation just days after its release. The printer in question is Mimaki’s new UJV55-320, a grand format LED UV inkjet printer that has an almost-endless list of attractive qualities that should see sign-makers and printers boost efficiency.

Speaking to SignLink at FESPA Digital, Mike Horsten, general manager marketing EMEA at Mimaki says: “We are really excited about this new product. It’s the first 3.2m UV LED printer in this market segment under £70k. We have flexible inks on the machine, we have dual roll capabilities on the machine, and it’s running at production speeds of about 40 to 70sq m/h with a maximum of 110sq m/h when you want to do outdoor banners.”

After just two days into the exhibition, the company’s allocated 30 units were sold, resulting in them having to ask their factories to build more to meet demand.

The speed of the UJV55-320 is one of its stand out features and its ability to print super wide output will allow sign-makers to produce banners and graphics up to 3.2m wide. The added benefit of twin-roll simultaneous printing means the sign-maker can print two different jobs or two of the same job on two separate rolls, and select the preferred width separately for each roll. This gives more versatility to the user as well as making the production process quicker.

In terms of media, the UJV55-320 can handle a maximum media width of 3250mm and a media thickness of 1mm. This gives users great scope in applications such as indoor and outdoor signage, exhibition, display and window graphics, front and backlit signage, and retail POS.

For backlit signage, the thickness of the UV-curable ink on the media enables the ability to block out backlighting in certain areas, improving the colour performance of the illuminated sections. Horsten adds: “It really is a complex total package that we are delivering and we include it with our RasterLink6 RIP. It’s out of the box, start printing, make some money.”


Common printing problems with clogged nozzles are prevented on this machine as it comes with Mimaki’s original automatic NCU. If clogging is not resolved by simply cleaning the machine, the UJV55-320 automatically sets the nozzle recovery function NRS and carries on printing. Also, defective nozzles are replaced with non-defective nozzles until a technician is to hand, meaning production can continue.

The printer comes with an improved print head configuration consisting of four print heads in a staggered array. Horsten praises the high quality output that is able to be produced, which is improved by waveform control technology and high level inkjet technology.

Horsten highlights the importance of stepping away from print, although still important, and looking at printing applications, solutions, and bringing something different to the market. That is certainly what this manufacturer has achieved with the UJV55-320 and after a successful outing at FESPA Digital, I expect nothing less than the same attention at the upcoming Sign and Digital UK.

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