46 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 258 - April / May 2025 chandise as key areas to focus on. “Mutoh’s ability to cater to small-batch production aligns perfectly with this trend,” Kneale says, adding: “Currently, around 35% of our printer sales are going to DTO applications and we can only see this trend growing. “As with everything digital, the customer is now demanding short run unique branding, which provided you are working with flat surfaces, is not an issue. However, this becomes more of a problem if we are talking about 3D shapes. Mutoh has resolved this by allowing all of our DTO printers to print on objects up to 150mm thick, and with automatic media height and obstacle detection our printers can produce this safely while avoiding head crashes.” On top of this, Kneale says, is a focus on workflow efficiency. He explains how Mutoh has developed maximum versatility with its printers, enabling simultaneous printing of multiple substrate sizes on the same table, which he explains is perfect for batching up jobs and making maximum use of the bed. Looking more closely at some of the options available from Graphtec and Mutoh, Kneale says the current range boasts a total of three flatbed printers, with bed sizes ranging from 1,420mm x 700mm to a more affordable solution in the XPJ-461UF with a bed size of 483mm x 329mm. “Mutoh’s LED UV print technology brings a whole new dimension to digital printing,” Kneale says, continuing: “The applications are only limited by imagination, with one off, on-demand designs, objects, prototypes, interior decoration, signs, packaging, and labels all possible. “I am still thrilled by the magic of white and varnish inks. Print on dark, coloured, or clear substrates. Users can create all sorts of stunning special effects such as special structures, embossed designs, or spot varnish.” In addition to this is the next generation UV LED inks that run on the Mutoh printers, which Kneale says have been one of the biggest selling points in recent years. Inks are available in four-colour (plus white and clear) and can be used across both transparent and coloured substrates. They are also Greenguard Gold certified to meet stringent standards for low VOC emissions. “Working with these inks mean output is dry and ready to finish right from the printer, while they are suitable for use on work that is being installed either indoors or outside,” he says, adding: “They also feature cool UV cure technology for low energy consumption and ideal for heat sensitive media, as well as offering excellent adhesion and scratch resistance on bags and totes made from PVC, polyester, non-woven materials, and other materials. On top of this, Inkcups has a range of Helix cylindrical UV inkjet printers, which use specially designed fixtures to hold each item to be decorated, making it possible to produce full-wrap, full-colour images on most straight-walled and tapered cylindrical items such as drinkware, spirits bottles, thermoses, sports bottles, candle holders, glass bottles, beverage cans, cosmetics bottles, and even make-up containers. “DTO has been on an exciting journey since its inception and we expect 2025 to bring more of the same,” Macfarlane says, adding: “We have moved beyond the early adoption phase, and DTO print is now well and truly shaping and even creating market opportunities.” Growing Trends Another company able to support in this market is Graphtec GB, the distributor for Mutoh printers in the UK. Managing director Tom Kneale says market trends are driving demand for DTO, sounding out unique on-demand products such as promotional items and personalised mer- ◄ Inkcups launched the XJET Switch flatbed UV digital printer to meet growing demand for printing directly onto bags and totes trend in that DTO printing is democratising packaging, which is in turn enabling start-up and independent brands to be bold and creative with their packaging by producing small volumes as they’re needed. “Larger brands are getting in on the action too, using DTO print technology to decorate limited edition products or enable campaigns responding to seasonal or fleeting social media trends,” he adds. As to how Inkcups can help companies take advantage of new opportunities, he sets out how most DTO printing is done using flatbed UV inkjet printing machines. With this, he picks out the Inkcups XJET800, a small-format flatbed printer, which he says is well suited to work such as coasters and sweet tins. On the flip side, the manufacturer also offers taller, large-format machines such as the Inkcups X5-T flatbed UV digital printer, which can handle taller items such as coolers and footballs. In addition to this are specialist flatbed machines such as the Inkcups XJET Switch flatbed UV digital printer, which launched in 2023 to meet growing demand for printing directly onto DTO has been on an exciting journey since its inception, and we expect 2025 to bring more of the same DIRECT-TO-OBJECT PRINTERS
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