Mimaki Simplifies Small-Lot Digital Packaging Production

Producing professional packaging in 5 minutes with ArtiosCAD Designer Solution in combination with the UJF-6042 LED UV inkjet printer and the CFL-605RT cutting plotter

Amsterdam, June 30, 2015

Mimaki today announced a joint development with ESKO [1] to simplify the digital packaging production for companies that produce packaging samples and mock-ups, as well as small packing runs and personalised packaged goods. The Original Goods Package System (OGPS) from Mimaki is comprised of three components:

• ArtiosCAD Designer Solution (ArtiosCAD DS), a subset of Esko’s industry-leading ArtiosCAD, the world’s most widely used package design CAD software, and including 400 easy-to-use templates as well as tools for original package creation;
• Mimaki UJF-6042, an LED UV inkjet flatbed printer with maximum printing dimensions of 610 x 420 mm. It can be used to print on a product, as well as to print product packaging.
• Mimaki CFL-605RT cutting plotter supporting on-demand production with multiple functions, including cutting and creasing of packaging material and cutting of package cushioning.

“Packaging converters, commercial printers and design firms are experiencing a growing demand for a more cost effective means of producing samples, mock-ups and small lots of customized or personalised packaging,” says Mike Horsten, General Manager Marketing of Mimaki EMEA. “Our goal was to simplify the process of packaging design and production to bring professional packaging design within the reach of original goods manufacturers of all sizes. By combining a subset of the market-leading ArtiosCAD software by Esko with affordable printing and cutting technology from Mimaki, our Original Goods Package System is well-positioned to change the way small lot packaging is designed and produced.”

How It Works
To create a package design, the user simply selects one of the 400 professionally-designed templates included with ArtiosCAD DS, enters the inside package dimensions and thickness of the media to be used. More detailed parameters as well as shapes and sizes of flaps can also be specified. The system then creates a package design file that can be imported into Adobe^® Illustrator^® to add graphics [2]. Users can also use specialized tools to create their own custom designs and include them in the final design. The system offers a total solution not only for the design and creation of product packaging and cushioning but also for printing directly onto a product. Users that don’t need the predesigned templates available in the ArtiosCAD DS software, can create custom designs with the guide function.

“Once a design is final,” Horsten adds, “it can be printed in exceptional quality on the UJF-6042 in full colour and if needed with varnish effects. The printed design can then be cut and creased using the CFL-605RT cutting plotter that matches the printer size. A finished package can literally be produced in minutes, either as a mock-up or sample using actual target substrates, for small lot packaging production, and even personalised or serialised packages. This total solution will allow designers, packaging converters, commercial printers, and small manufacturers to revolutionise the way they design and produce small lot packaging.”

Available Now
The Original Goods Packaging System (OGPS) is available from resellers and distributors as an option to the CFL605RT cutting plotter from Mimaki.

[1] Esko (www.esko.com) is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium and is a global supplier of integrated solutions for packaging and labeling, sign and display, and commercial printing and publishing industries.

[2] In order to enable this function, users must download the free plug-in “Esko Data Exchange” from the Esko website.