More products, more new clients!
Ms. Abe (left) and Mr. Tamai (right) of the Production Group
Conclusive fact in introducing UJF-6042MkII, CF2 Series
- Realization of quick delivery
- Direct printing on a variety of thick and curved commercial goods
Shifting from outsourcing to in-house production
The company has been using Mimaki Engineering's solvent inkjet printer, JV300-130, to create POPs and stickers for a long time. They could handle general printing jobs without any problems with it. However, there were an increasing number of requests for direct printing on three-dimensional objects such as novelties, and since the roll type JV300-130 could not print on these objects, they had to outsource such jobs.
Some business opportunities were missed due to the inability of outsourcing to meet the short delivery requested by our customers. In addition, because of no control over to the quality of the outsourcing work by ourselves, the results were often not what we expected. There were also cases where actual materials were supplied by the client. Since they could not make mistakes in such cases, we were faced with a lack of suppliers who would undertake the outsourced work.
The “UJF-6042MkII” UV inkjet printer for direct printing
In order to overcome this situation, they considered introducing a flatbed type UV machine that can directly print on three-dimensional objects.
Although they had some concerns about starting a new business, they decided to introduce “UJF-6042MkII” because Mimaki Engineering, which they had been using for a long time, had the target product in their lineup and they had been satisfied with the support system that provided reliable consultation.
The impossible is now possible.
Many of these products are produced in-house.
The “UJF-6042MkII” made it possible to print directly on a variety of commercial goods, which was not possible before. Major applications include logo and name printing on binoculars, toy cameras, mouses, thermometers, etc. The company has handled lots as small as 20 to 30 pieces and as large as 2,000 pieces.
“We are especially proud of our ability to print on high-end novelty items. Our customers highly appreciate it,” says Ms. Abe.
Cutting plotter “CF2-0912RC-S” used for jig creation
Another advantage of having a UV printer in the company is that they can easily create prototypes in-house, which they could not do before.
For prototypes, they use Mimaki's flatbed type cutting plotter “CF2-0912RC-S” to create jigs, which allows them to handle a variety of commercial goods.
There are as many jigs as there are commercial goods. Since they have accumulated know-how on what kind of jig is needed for different shapes, they can respond quickly to new jobs.
Utilizing the accumulated know-how
By applying the know-how it has accumulated in the field of POP production to three-dimensional objects, the company is confident that it can create unique POPs that could not be produced before and differentiate itself from its competitors. Even for molded items that would be difficult to print on, the company is capable of printing on them by creating jigs using CF2. “Our great strength is that we can complete the entire process in-house, from design through printing to the final product,” says Mr. Tamai.
Mr. Tamai uses his expertise in POP design to create highly accurate jigs.
Jigs for telescope hoods created using the company's accumulated know-how
The products produced by the company's strengths are highly evaluated by customers for their high level of perfection, resulting in an increase in repeat business. Whereas their main business used to be paper-based, they are now receiving an increasing number of new inquiries in the novelty field, enabling them to expand their sales channels by utilizing the know-how of their main business.
Given the ability to handle a wide range of needs, from small-lot, high-mix on-demand orders to quick delivery requests, they are eager to focus mainly on direct printing in the future.
Orders for novelties sometimes lead to orders for general printing.
Remaining challenges and demands
“Even after introducing the equipment, there are still issues that remain,” explains Mr. Tamai.
The current challenge is printing on curved objects with unevenness of 10 mm or more. Since it cannot be made up even by using “LD mode” suitable for materials with height difference, which is provided with MIMAKI’s original technology, they are trying to print by devising jigs. They expect to expand the scope of their business even further if they can handle printing on thicker molded products such as headphones.
Also, they believe that if they can install silver ink, which is supported by other models, they will be able to print fine characters that are difficult to express with foil, and they are planning to test this soon.
Message from THERMO
Total Communication
Total Solution
We will give shape to images of customers.
“In the future, we hope to highly promote UV printing, so that we can produce products that fit customers’ image more, and work closer to customers,” said Mr. Tamai and Ms. Abe.
All eyes will be on the company's future progress as a group of professionals who continue to take on new challenges, provide beneficial services to customers, and contribute to society.
Designs featuring the company's original character have been well-received.
THERMO Co., Ltd.
The company also produces a variety of commercial goods as well as its own nameplate, which are highly valued within the company.
THERMO Co., Ltd. is a company that specializes in a variety of printing services, including temperature control indicator materials, contract manufacturing of sterilization cards and labels, planning and production of advertisements, on-demand printing, POP printing, and general printing. The company has a long history in POP production, and is particularly skilled in the production of three-dimensional POPs, which other companies cannot match.
Currently, the company is expanding its business to printing on non-paper materials, focusing mainly on the novelty field. They use the inkjet printer “UJF-6042MkII” for direct printing on a variety of commercial goods, and their printed products are highly evaluated by customers for their high quality.
<Introduced products>
Flatbed UV Inkjet Printer: UJF-6042MkII
Flatbed Cutting Plotter: CF2-0912RC-S
User profile
- NameTHERMO Co., Ltd. Tokyo Sales Department
- IndustryContract manufacturing of temperature control indicator materials, sterilization cards and labels
Planning and production of advertisements, on-demand printing, POP printing, and general printing services - AddressPediment 2F, 1-32-3 Komone, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Phone number+81-3-5926-7801
- URLhttps://www.thermo-p.co.jp/