Investment in a Mimaki UJF-6042MkII e has enabled Lancashire print business Wolf & Flower to diversify its product range, create more elaborate designs and reduce reliance on outsourcing.
When Samantha Fleetwood and her husband Lee started Wolf & Flower from their kitchen table in 2019, their goal was to provide custom, high-quality products for beauty businesses and other small enterprises. Through careful planning and strategic risk-taking, they have grown the company into a global business with a workshop in Chorley, Lancashire, utilising the latest Mimaki print technology and a laser cutter to serve customers in America, Australia, Canada, and beyond.
At the heart of this journey is a belief in investing wisely. “A lot of people expect everything to happen straight away, but for me, it was all about careful, considered growth,” Samantha explains. The business’s first major investment was the laser cutter, which allowed them to bring custom sign production in-house. “We didn’t rush into it; we built up our customer base first to ensure it was the right decision,” she recalls.
As demand for more personalised designs grew, Samantha recognsed the need to expand their capabilities further. For over a year, Wolf & Flower outsourced its UV printing requirements. While the quality was satisfactory, the process limited their ability to experiment and slowed delivery times.
The Decision to Bring UV Printing In-House
Samantha carefully explored her options, even considering second-hand machines, before choosing the Mimaki UJF-6042MkII e flatbed UV printer from Granthams. “We wanted – and needed – a local supplier,” she says. “Granthams were invaluable in answering questions we didn’t even know to ask. Choosing an experienced, local company gave me peace of mind knowing I’d have easy access to quality training and ongoing support.”
For Samantha, the investment wasn’t about chasing rapid growth. “It was about staying competitive and offering the best to our customers. Having the Mimaki meant I could finally meet demand, create more elaborate designs, and reduce reliance on outsourcing. Everything else – the additional growth and new opportunities – was a bonus.”
Transforming the Business
The Mimaki printer has unlocked many new possibilities, complementing the laser cutter perfectly. They now use the laser cutter to create precise shapes and typography, and the Mimaki to add vibrant, high-impact full-colour print with incredible detail and quality.
The impact has been transformative. “We’ve been able to save so much time and get more orders out,” Samantha notes. “We’re now offering premium, high-quality products that simply weren’t possible before. The personalisation market is huge, and the Mimaki lets us create bespoke designs faster and more efficiently than ever.”
One standout benefit is the ability to test and launch new product ideas quickly. “Having the Mimaki in-house means we can be more creative. Ideas that would have been too complicated, or too costly, to outsource are now achievable.” Samantha highlights their bestselling aftercare signs sold on Etsy which were previously outsourced. “Now, we produce them ourselves with shorter lead times and variations of colour options enhancing the quality.”
An eye on the Future
With the Mimaki printer integrated into their workflow, Wolf & Flower is focused on continued innovation. “There’s so much more we want to do,” Samantha says. “Investing in advanced technology has opened up fresh revenue streams and given us the confidence to keep pushing boundaries.”
Her advice to other small business owners is clear: “Don’t just focus on price. Think about the returns… better efficiency, happier customers, and new opportunities. Advanced tools aren’t just for big companies. With careful planning, small businesses can compete at the highest level.”
For Wolf & Flower, the results speak for themselves. “We’re proud of the products we create and our many thousands of five-star reviews across all platforms reflect that. To deliver the best, it only makes sense to use the best technology.”