The Oxfordshire-based company achieves its goal of self-sufficient production by installing a new, Mimaki UJV55-320 super-wide textile printer from CMYUK.
Core Exhibitions has installed a Mimaki UJV55-320 UV LED roll-to-roll printer from CMYUK. This installation marks the company’s first move into super-wide textile printing and aims to complete its ambition to offer a fully self-sufficient production service for exhibitions and event environments.
The UJV55-320 joins an existing Mimaki flatbed, a CNC digital cutter, and other roll-to-roll printers at the facility. Steve ‘Clem’ Clements, Director at Core Exhibitions, commented on the selection. “The Mimaki just ticked every box. It does exactly what we need, beautifully and reliably, and it was at the right price point. It’s easy to use, the quality’s great, and it’s built for busy production,” says Clements.
Founded in 2019, Core Exhibitions specialises in portable and modular display systems. According to the company, this latest investment continues a post-pandemic growth trajectory. The Mimaki UJV55-320 is expected to open new opportunities for the business in super-wide textile display graphics, including lightboxes, tension frames, and single piece wallcoverings. To support this growth in textile output, the company has also invested in an automated sewing machine.
Core Exhibitions operates as the central business within a wider group that includes Core Signs & Graphics, Core Event Structures, and Innov8 Displays. “All the brands overlap,” Clements explains. “They share the same team, the same building, and the same production resources but they each speak to different audiences. Our signage clients might never go to a trade show, and our exhibition clients don’t need vehicle wraps. The Mimaki allows us to serve all those markets more efficiently, under one roof.”
The new printer features a 3.2-metre width, dual-roll capability, and an inline LED lightbox for backlit print inspection. Previously, Core Exhibitions outsourced all textile work. Bringing this capability in-house is a strategic move to improve flexibility and control.
“It’s been a total game-changer,” says Clements. “We can now print all our textile graphics ourselves – lightboxes, tension frames, soft signage – and it’s made a huge difference to profit margins, lead times, and creative freedom. We can experiment, test, and respond instantly.”
The Mimaki UJV55-320 textile printer runs a selection of UFABRIK textiles supplied by CMYUK, including UFABRIK UV Blackback and UFABRIK Backlit ECO. Clements notes that the combination of the hardware and materials provides a complete solution, ensuring consistency across rigid panels and soft fabrics.
With a new mezzanine production area and a growing team, Core Exhibitions positions itself as a fully equipped production hub. “This investment has completed the circle for us,” Clements concludes. “For the first time, we can produce absolutely everything in-house. It’s the independence we’ve always dreamed of, and it’s taking us, and our clients, to the next level.”
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