The new cutting table has supported the company’s growing focus on printing directly onto sustainable materials
Blue Gecko print and signage provider in the Bristol area, has invested in a JWEI JCUT-1625 digital cutting table from CMYUK. After more than a decade of depending on an increasingly unreliable and aging print finishing machine, the company recognised the need to upgrade to a more advanced solution that could keep pace with its evolving business demands.
“The JWEI has been a revelation for us,” says Stefan Canale, director at Blue Gecko. “We were looking for a machine that could support our growing focus on printing directly onto plywood and other sustainable materials, and the JWEI has exceeded our expectations,” he adds.
Founded in 2009, Blue Gecko began as a family-owned sign company and has since expanded its services to cater to the events, retail, and festival sectors. The company prides itself on offering innovative, eco-friendly solutions to its clients.
Stefan visited CMYUK’s demonstration centre in Shrewsbury, bringing with him a range of materials and live jobs to rigorously test the JWEi’s capabilities.
“I admit, I was a bit mean. I brought in some 15mm Birch ply and threw some of the toughest jobs I could at the JWEI, but it breezed through. Before seeing it in action, I was very sceptical and ready to write the JWEI off, but by the end of the evaluation session, I knew I absolutely needed one,” he says.
The CMYUK team’s customer assurance further solidified Stefan’s decision to invest in JWEI technology. The availability of spare parts, the responsiveness of CMYUK’s in-house engineering team, plus ongoing training and support ensured a smooth integration. “CMYUK has been a valuable partner throughout this process. Their commitment to customer service is helping us maximise the potential of the JWEI and drive our business forward,” says Stefan.
One standout attribute of the new machine has been the tool changer. “It’s something we didn’t realise we needed until we had it,” notes Stefan. “Being able to switch between different tools without interrupting the workflow has saved us so much time and effort. We’re even running jobs where we don’t need to change tools just because we love watching it happen!”
The tool changer, along with the belt feed, has improved productivity, allowing the team to focus on other tasks while the JWEI handles long-run jobs.
Unlocking new sustainable possibilities
The V-Cut tool, included as standard, has enabled Blue Gecko to explore more sustainable materials and production methods. It has been instrumental in the company’s efforts to create eco-friendly pop-up displays, retail signage, and other products using structural card and cardboard.
“We’ve been pushing for more sustainable solutions, and the JWEI has opened up new possibilities for us. The ability to work with these materials without compromising on quality or finish has been a game-changer,” says Stefan.
A few years ago, the company began prioritising sustainable print options for its clients. “We’ve been experimenting with different materials, like waterproof card instead of Foamex, and the JWEI has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” explains Stefan.
Beyond sustainability, the JWEI’s performance and reliability have enabled Blue Gecko to take on more complex, multi-layered designs across a variety of materials, further expanding their service offerings.
“We’ve already completed two relatively big jobs that wouldn’t have been possible without the V-Cut tool, so the JWEI is already opening up new revenue streams for us,” says Stefan.
CMYUK launches JWEI JCUT family of digital cutting table systems