Following a year’s beta testing of Fuijfilm’s thermo forming UV-cured inkjet ink Uvijet KV, French sign and display printer BMA can now produce personalised light industrial applications with its Fujifilm Acuity Advance Select UV flatbed printer.
Based in Amiens, BMA offers a variety of services including consultancy, pre-press, printing, finishing and delivery, and produces POP, sign and visual communication products for different industries. Co-owner Nicolas Coquet said of the latest move: “We like our customers to view us as a source of inspiration for new ideas, and thermoforming helps us to further establish this reputation.
“It requires a great deal of expertise and technical knowledge in how to prepare files and use the right materials to accurately execute anamorphosis (i.e. reconstructing the original image file as a physical application). Thanks to our beta phase with Fujifilm’s Uvijet KV ink and Acuity Advance Select – including the dedicated software solution and training of our now skilled operators – we have a great understanding of how to use the technology effectively to further differentiate our service offering and enter new markets.”
Fujifilm’s thermo forming ink has been designed specifically for use with its renowned mid-range flatbed printers, the Acuity Advance Select and Acuity Advance Select HS.
The thermoforming process sees a flat plastic sheet printed and then removed to a mould, where it is heated up to take on the shape of the mould, and then cooled. The ink has outstanding elongation properties of up to 1000% when heated, returning to a ‘normal’ state when cool.
Nicolas concludes: “We worked closely with Fujifilm to ensure that the ink was flexible enough to go up to the 180 degree we required without detriment to colour intensity, which it was, and we now have a new and exciting customer proposition to diversify our business.”