The deal was announced at this week’s North Print & Pack show. Victory Signs bought the kit from Mimaki reseller Your Print Specialists (YPS), which has been a long-term supplier to the Northumberland-based engraving and sign specialist.

The new Mimaki has just been installed, and becomes an addition to Victory Signs’ existing production facilities spanning specialist engraving techniques and digital printing, including two other smaller-format Mimaki devices.

Managing director Alan Wood praised the quality and speed of the JFX500-2131, which has a list price of £125,000. It prints at up to 60sqm/hour at 600x600dpi on items up to 50mm thick.

"It’s cutting edge technology, I’m as excited about it as they [YPS] are," he said.

The new printer will allow the 13-strong family-owned business to bring screen printing work that is currently outsourced back in-house, as well as providing a springboard to expand into new areas, such as internal point-of-sale.

Manager Neil Wood added: "Having a flatbed will save a lot of time. Being able to print directly onto substrates such as Dibond and Foamex will eliminate application costs and the cost of vinyls."

YPS managing director Garry Brown described it as "a great personal pleasure" to see a long-standing customer with a UK first: "It's proof indeed that service, support and true commercial understanding are key to solid business – and we look forward to developing that value with new and existing customers alike."

Mimaki will be showing the JFX500-2131 among its exhibits at next month’s Fespa show in London.