2601 celebrates success with CMYUK and Mimaki

2601, a printing, branding, and signage company based in Bristol has discussed its relationship with CMYUK when investing in new UV LED technology in order to fill gaps in its production infrastructure.

Founders Steve Williamson and Paul Johnson founded the company in May 2015, bringing with them skills in design and wide-format print after working for various print companies over several years.

2601 expressed an interest in moving into large-format textile printing to be used for film, theatre, and TV backdrops. With this in mind, the company decided to purchase the Mimaki JFX200-2513 UV LED flatbed.

The 8ft x 4ft flatbed has enabled the business to produce higher quality products, along with more in-house production, and with less gaps in workflow.

Production has also been helped by the new Mimaki UJV55-320 UV LED dedicated roll-to-roll printer. With a maximum resolution of 1200dpi the printer offers dual-roll simultaneous printing with automatic nozzle checking.

“The JFX200-2513 EX UV LED is quick and easy to pop media on the bed and get it printed,” says Williamson, who adds: “We don’t output volume, lots of our work is varied and sporadic. We do lots of work for film and TV and much of this is one-off work, so it’s great to be able to keep our flatbed as a fast swap-through machine.”

Discussing the reason for their choice, Williamson says: “We’ve got a hybrid printer here but wanted something with better quality, speed, and versatility.

“We were considering other makes and models of flatbeds, but when we started comparing that with the cost of a pair of Mimakis, it made sense for us to begin our 3.2m roll-to-roll journey and also amplify our capacity for rigid work using the new flatbed and prolong the life of the flatbed we already own.”  

CMYUK comments that 2601 has a refreshing collaborative approach to business by working with nearby companies in order to avoid outsourcing to far away businesses.

Williamson says: “That’s the way Paul and I operate the company. We engage and build great relationships with our suppliers, and people that are in the same realm as us, rather than fight against each other. We sometimes also share staff on a freelance basis and have proven to work very well for us.

“We’re a positive open book here. We know what we do and are bold and confident in how we carry out our services while retaining a fun and relaxed atmosphere.”

2601 has announced it will be using CMYUK’s Arkutex portfolio of surface textiles after visiting CMYUK’s showroom and the PONGS showroom in Germany where it received PONGS accreditation and training.

With scope to expand, the Bristol business has recently employed a local apprentice, bought new premises, and added new equipment to its production portfolio.

Williamson concludes: “We already work with lots of interiors companies, and this is going to push us even further. We’re feeling very positive.”

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