Russell Printers expands into wide-format with Mimaki buy

Commercial printer Russell Printers has invested in a Mimaki CJV150-130 printer-cutter to enable it to meet the changing needs of its clients.

The machine, which was bought from Mimaki reseller Xpres in Derby, cost £12,500 and was installed at the Birmingham-based firm’s premises two weeks ago. The business also operates three Konica Minolta digital printers.

The investment will enable the company to deliver a faster turnaround for clients by offering wide-format print services including posters, banners and window stickers in-house.

Director Ian Breakwell said: “We’d been outsourcing wide-format printing before but found that we were getting a lot more requests for it.

“We also looked at options from Roland DG and Epson, and got some feedback from a few other people in the market, but the Mimaki printer-cutter was our favourite.

“By adding this to our plant list we feel we can offer our existing customers, and indeed new customers, a more extensive range of products at the prices they expect from Russell Printers.”

In 2014 the business acquired embroidered workwear company BCR Workwear to enhance its services and enable it to provide a fast turnaround for embroidered products.

The company has recently installed a new heat press, also bought from Xpres, to satisfy demand from its corporate workwear clients.

“More and more of our customers are approaching us to ask for vinyl prints on the reverse of their garments. Thanks to the new heat press we can now meet these needs,” said Breakwell.

Russell Printers has three staff and a turnover of £300,000. It produces items including business cards, stationery, leaflets and brochures for customers from a range of industries. Its corporate clients include Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, Elastoplast, Aston Martin, Nivea and RBS.