Company seeking for new avenues of business development as a "printing company doing more than just paper work."

NAKAGAWA KAMISO INC. newly introduced the UV printer "UJF-7151 plusII," capable of printing high definition granularity-free images on diverse materials. The company is in active pursuit of new scenes of activity in the field of art panels and magnets in addition to the conventional package design business.

The Team was seeking for large-format machines capable of high speed output as the maintenance period of the previous "M-64s" was drawing to a close.

"JV330-130" was then introduced, and the machine is operating without problems ever since. The printer, with its high quality, stability, and speed in general output mode, has successfully replaced the "M-64s".

Since the company's main clientele is private customers, they were looking for machines that could work efficiently to handle high-mix, small-lot production.

The company introduced the "TS100-1600" sublimation transfer printer and the "CJV300-160 Plus" print & cut machine. In addition to stable operation, the ID cut function of the print & cut machine has improved work efficiency.

Due to the lack of printing equipment and skills, we used to respond to the service of putting names on can lids through outsourcing. The outsourcing had minimum lot size requirements (at least 50 pieces, etc.), so we had to produce more than the desired quantity. And the design was limited to only a single color, which also bothered us.

Direct printing with the “UJF-7151 plus” UV inkjet printer allows us to print a minimum of one piece in full color. Photo printing is also now available, while the delivery time has become shorter from about two months to four to six weeks.

We thought that providing new services is necessary for us to open the flagship store in Harajuku, a town of fashions and arts.

Permanently installing UV printer “UJF-6042MkII” in the store made it possible for us to launch a store-printing service of only one original watches.

With the increasing number of requests for printing on three-dimensional objects that cannot be handled by roll-type inkjet printers, the company was faced with the problem of being unable to handle such jobs with short delivery times by outsourcing, and suffering many failures in terms of quality.

By introducing a flatbed UV printer and cutting plotters, they are now able to meet short delivery times and directly print on a variety of commercial goods, which was not possible before. This has led to an increase in new orders in the novelty field. Another advantage is that they can easily create prototypes in-house. In the future, they hope to highly promote UV printing and stay closer to their customers.

By identifying changes in demand associated with changing times, we would like to contribute to the revitalization of the local community as a proposal-based company through in-house label printing, mail-order business promotion, etc.

With a total of 12 Mimaki’s IJPs and cutting plotters, ranging from small to large, we produce not only labels but also a variety of products from signs to original goods. In the future, we would like to strengthen our mobility by increasing the number of small IJPs.

Although mainly engaged in painting by hand, we have more orders for signboard that has been outsourced. To respond to delivery time and to perform minor design change efficiently, in-house production has become necessary. With our skilled employees nearing retirement, we aimed for standardization by machine.

The first inkjet printer we installed is Mimaki's UCJV300-160. There are many jobs with short delivery times, and the UV printer that requires no drying time has good work efficiency and is appreciated by customers as well. Its cutting function is also appealing, which enables the printer to play two roles, allowing us to reduce the installation space and make our business extensive.

Although having responded to sheet-type advertisements such as outdoor graphics, outside posters, wallpaper, and graphics on floor, we were in need of another way of production as more requests for three-dimensional sign displays and sales promotion items for stores.

UV print using UCJV300-160 allows us to respond to various media. We were impressed by beautiful color development of Mimaki's white ink whose color density is high with no color mixture. It is used on wrapping film for vehicles, as well as on wallpaper and window film.

Our main job is production of construction signboards and safety signs, of which delivery time is as short as 2-3 days. In spite of such short delivery time, because of over 24h of required drying time of solvent ink printing, we had kept some customers waited.

The UV printer UCJV300-130 requires no ink drying time. It allows to attach the printed sheet on the construction signboard right after printing, which improved the work efficiency. Having the cutting function, it supports small lot production and contributes to cost reduction when producing products like stickers used at construction sites.