The 14-strong team based in Greater Manchester uses the UJF-3042 A3-format flat-bed UV printer for acrylic display products, signage and promotional items.

Owner and founder Graham Croston spent around £30,000 on the Mimaki and is looking to invest over £100,000 on an HP FB500 flatbed machine.

His company already runs an HP FB500 and the new Mimaki is in addition to kit including a Latex 360, which it bought last summer, a Roland roll-to-roll machine, a pair of laser cutters, CNC routers and heat-bending kit.

Croston chose the Mimaki UJF-3042 printer, supplied by Hybrid Services via reseller Paperlinx, to tackle bespoke commissions, one-off prototypes and short runs.

“Many of our competitors just don’t seem to be interested in this work,” he said. “The new Mimaki provides a breathtaking quality of print on all manner of media and physical items.

“A recent job involving a detailed photographic print of a supercar on to an acrylic block actually delivered a sharper, more vibrant image when printed direct to the acrylic.

“The added ability of the Mimaki to print both primer, as well as varnish coats, makes the capabilities of this machine quite remarkable.”

Croston said he hoped the new kit would help his company hit a growth target of £250,000 this year, which would echo the rate of growth for GJ Plastics last year.

Croston added: “Having undertaken a fair bit of research and discussed our needs with Darren Walker at Paperlinx, the Mimaki stood out as a real contender.”

Walker said: “The team at GJ is already printing direct to glass vases and acrylic tubes for promotional purposes.”

Croston launched the company almost 22 years ago, starting out by cutting and forming plastic sheet using a routing machine that he built himself from spare parts.