The University Estates Division’s Reprographics Centre made the purchase in response to an increasing demand for wide-format print work.
The Reprographics Centre, part of the Estates Division at the University of Cambridge, recently purchased a new Mimaki CJV150-130 vinyl printer/cutter from Soyang Hardware to strengthen its offering and allow it to deliver more wide-format printed work.
Located within the historic grounds of the famous university, The Reprographics Centre primarily produces print and photocopies for the central University Divisions and Departments, but also for colleges, students, student societies, private customers and small businesses. Its offering ranges from basic photocopying and the printing of exam papers to large-format display graphics and signage.
The centre was running an old aqueous printer but in response to demand for more wide-format work such as external signage, as well as other applications including promotional material, it identified the need to invest in a new printer that ran non-water-soluble inks.
After weighing up several options, the centre settled on the Mimaki CJV150-130 and approached the team at Soyang Hardware to invest in the new machine. The centre purchased the device in February 2024 and installed it just a few weeks later, with the printer/cutter up and running by March – in time to help print papers ahead of the busy university exam season.
Despite having only been in place a matter of months, Nik Palmer, Reprographics Manager for The Reprographics Centre, said the device has already had an impact on operations at the centre, particularly with its delivery of wide-format work.
“It fits in perfectly alongside our previous machine,” Nik said. “Its small footprint, along with the print speed and quality, made it stand out most of all the machines that we looked at.
“Since the machine was installed in March, we haven’t stopped using it. Demand for wide-format printing is ever increasing and we took delivery of the new Mimaki at just the right time.”
Key features on the Mimaki CJV150-130 include a top printing speed of 56.2sq m/hr and a production speed of 11.1sq m/hr. It can print at resolutions as high as 1440dpi and has the ability to print and cut at widths of up to 1.36m
Due to its ability to print on a wide range of substrates, Nik said that it will allow the centre to offer a much broader range of services.
“We can now offer more robust prints and print on a greater variety of media; going forward, we are looking to increase the range of applications that we can produce, including external banners,” Nik said.
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