The decision to invest in the Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF was driven by a specific project and a broader need for increased capacity
Redmond Signs has upgraded its production capabilities with the installation of a Mutoh 1462UF flatbed UV printer, supplied by National Business Machines. The investment in a new and larger Mutoh flatbed printer is a significant step for Redmond Signs and allows them to increase the size and range of solutions they can offer.
The company was formed in 1982 by Liam Redmond and, since that time, has grown from a small workshop in Dublin to one of Ireland’s leading sign companies. Relocating to Parkwest in 2005 allowed Redmond Signs to accommodate the expanding business and give it the space to invest in new equipment to drive further growth.
“We have a proud history of providing high-quality signage solutions to a wide range of clients,” says Alan Redmond, managing director of Redmond Signs. “We work with companies of all shapes and sizes, including major organisations and multinationals such as Fujifilm, Google, Dell, VHI, and ESB. We have built a strong reputation for craftsmanship, reliability, and expertise in handling complex projects, particularly in specialist areas like braille and tactile signage.”
He continues, “For the past three years, we have been using a smaller Mutoh ValueJet 426UF flatbed printer for producing signs with braille and tactile lettering. This is a great little printer, and it has served us really well, particularly by helping us achieve work in new areas. However, as the business has grown, the printer’s size was restricting the scale of the work we could produce. It was time for an upgrade!”
A strategic investment
The decision to invest in the Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF was driven by a specific project and a broader need for increased capacity. “The key trigger was winning a wayfinding signage tender for a large hospital. This project required us to produce a high volume of larger signs quickly, which drove the need to upgrade to a larger and more powerful printer,” explains Alan.
Having prior experience with Mutoh flatbed printers proved to be a significant advantage. “Having already worked with a Mutoh flatbed printer, we were confident in the brand’s reliability and output quality. The XpertJet 1462UF, with its larger print bed and increased speed, was ideal for our burning need for increased capacity, quality, and scalability.”
Integrating the Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF into Redmond Signs’ existing workflow has been remarkably smooth says Alan. “It was seamless. The 1462UF is essentially a larger, more advanced version of our previous Mutoh printer, so our team adapted quickly.” The primary adjustment involved learning the new RIP software, VerteLith, which offers greater control and customisation. Beyond that, it’s slotted into our workflow with minimal disruption.”
Excellent local support
Alan highlighted the crucial role that National Business Machines (NBM) played in installing and supporting the new machine. “The team from NBM was fantastic. They handled the installation efficiently and provided thorough training over the following days to ensure we were happy and running properly. They answered all our questions, and they even supplied sample files to help us determine the best settings for future jobs. Their support gave us great confidence from the start.”
Since installing the machine, the impact has been immediate and significant. “Within a week of installation, we took on a job requiring braille to be printed on hundreds of panels, both small and large. With our old printer, the larger panels would have been impossible, and the entire job would have taken up to two weeks. With the Mutoh 1462UF, we completed it in just two days—massively boosting productivity and efficiency while maintaining excellent quality,” says Alan
Further benefits include being able to use the new Mutoh to produce small Foamex and Dibond signs directly, which were previously printed on vinyl and mounted onto sheets. This has streamlined the process and improved the finished product.
The new printer has also allowed Redmond Signs to expand its range of product offerings, enabling them to target new markets. Alan explains, “With the increased capacity and quality, we can now offer a trade service to other sign companies for braille and tactile printing. This is a whole new market and revenue stream for us and it’s thanks to the confidence we have in the Mutoh’s ability to deliver top-notch results at scale.”
He continues, “The new Mutoh allows us to take on larger, more ambitious projects and strengthens our reputation as a leader in specialist signage. Its efficiency and versatility will help us grow our trade services and meet the evolving needs of our clients, ensuring we remain competitive and continue to expand in the years ahead.”
Alan concludes, “We are genuinely impressed with the quality, speed, and reliability of the Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF—it’s exceeded our expectations. The team at NBM have been fantastic to work with, offering dependable support and expertise that made the transition smooth and stress-free. We’re delighted with the investment and the partnership.”