PRESS RELEASE
BACK
January 21st, 2003.
For Immediate Release
MUTOH EUROPE EXTENDS CO-OPERATION WITH EasySIGN
EasySIGN Power Pack Pro Print & Cut workflow software for Mutoh
Rockhopper printers and Mutoh Ultima signcutting plotters.
Oostende, Belgium. Mutoh Europe N.V., manufacturer of large-format
piezo inkjet printers for indoor and outdoor applications and sign cutting
plotters, announces the next milestone in its cooperation with the company
NCD, the developers of the EasySIGN software.
In order to offer a complete solution for the print and cut market,
Mutoh Europe and NCD have defined a full software solution, called EasySIGN
Power Pack Pro for Mutoh. The software will be bundled with the Mutoh
Rockhopper eco-solvent printers in combination with the Mutoh Ultima
series signcutting plotters.
EasySIGN Power Pack Pro offers a full print & cut solution suiting
all market needs. Designing time is minimised as a large number of templates
are included. As all templates are ready-made for print & cut, the customer
will be able to start producing immediately.
“We are very happy with the successful co-operation with Mutoh. Our
EasySIGN entry-level software has been bundled in-the-box of all Mutoh
signcutting plotters for more than one year now. The demand for higher
designing licenses is growing in the market. The market for print &
cut applications has moreover become mature. The brand new EasySIGN
Power Pack Pro for Mutoh is a result of the close co-operation between
NCD and Mutoh. We are very excited to conquer the rapidly expanding
markets for large-format print and cut solutions”, says Paul Schoofs,
general manager at NCD.
“Mutoh Europe introduced its first signcutting plotter in 1994. Since
then, we have introduced 5 series of professional drag-knife cutting
plotters. We have a worldwide installed base of more than 20000 units.
Unlike other hardware manufacturers offering combined print and cut
machines, we have deliberately chosen for the development of a user-friendly
print and cut software workflow able to make the link between our Ultima
series signcutting plotters with integrated 
electronic laser positioning system and our Rockhopper eco-solvent printers.
One of the advantages of such a system is that users can use two machines
full time for both printing and cutting as well as print and cut applications.
Adding up the price of both systems even ends up more attractive compared
to pricing of combined print and cut machines. EasySIGN Power Pack Pro
also offers the advantage that it is compatible with printers of other
brands, thanks to a full list of available drivers. This way, existing
printer users will be able to add print and cut applications to their
business portfolio” says Arthur Vanhoutte, general manager of Mutoh
Europe and Director of Mutoh Industries Ltd.
Mutoh's Rockhopper 6-colour high-resolution drop-on-demand piezo electric
outdoor inkjet printer series consists of two models, a 62" (157 cm)
and a 46" (118 cm) version. Application possibilities encompass outdoor
poster printing, banners, long-term backlit signage, building and construction
announcements, vehicle graphics, durable indoor graphics, POS displays,
for up to three years outdoors.
The new Mutoh Ultima series friction-feed cutting plotters consists
of two models, the Ultima SC-850D and the Ultima SC-1400D. The cutting
plotters integrate Mutoh’s
(electronic positioning) technology. The Ultima’s cutting head has a
built-in laser-based optical sensor mechanism, which automatically detects
registration marks on prints made with any printer capable of printing
onto cutting plotter compatible media. This feature enables users to
perform contour cutting of pre-printed signs and stickers.
About Mutoh Europe nv
Mutoh Europe, located in Oostende, Belgium, is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Mutoh Industries Ltd. Founded in 1991, Mutoh Europe develops, manufactures
and distributes CAD hardware (plotters) and CAS hardware (professional
sign cutting plotters, apparel marking/cutting plotters and large-format
full colour piezo-electric printers). Employing 160 people, the company
supplies all over Europe, the Middle East and Africa via a wide network
of authorised distributors.
For more details on Mutoh Europe or its products, visit www.mutoh.be
About NCD bv
NCD designs, develops and publishes software tools such as EasySIGN,
which focuses on vinyl cutting, large-format printing and engraving
for sign makers and graphics designers. The company is located in Hapert,
the Netherlands and was founded 14 years ago. Currently EasySIGN is
sold in over 35 countries worldwide. EasySIGN is available in a full
range of licenses, which cover everything from entry-level to extensive
versions. EasySIGN has been developed as a « total solution ». A very
intuitive and easy to use software. It increases your profits by cutting
your design time. EasySIGN has a familiar environment which makes you
feel at home right away.
For more details on EasySIGN and NCD, www.easysign.com