Graphtec cutter speeds up production at Big Mouth Clothing

Following installation of a Graphtec FC8600-130 plotter/cutter supplied by Graphtec GB reseller Signmaster Systems, Stafford-based Big Mouth Clothing is said to have dramatically and effortlessly increased its production capabilities.

Director David Parr commented: “The speed and accuracy of the FC8600-130 machine has not only significantly increased our productivity but also enabled us to expand the range of clothing we can now decorate.”

Established in 2011, Big Mouth Clothing manufactures and markets a wide range of customised garments, primarily to the corporate and work wear sectors worldwide, under its various brands and through its own dedicated websites like lemonfishclothing.com in the UK and additional global marketplaces such as Amazon. Mr Parr added: “From the very beginning we have used Graphtec cutting technology, investing initially in a first and then very quickly a second Graphtec plotter/cutter.

“It was in the middle of last year that we first dealt with Signmaster Systems when we purchased a Seiko W-54 printer. It came with a recommendation from this company that the Graphtec FC8600-130 plotter/cutter, working alongside the Seiko printer, would provide us with the perfect integrated printing and cutting solution. Since then, the combination has performed flawlessly and has enabled a much higher rate of output due to the printer’s ability to work continuously without having to stop to cut the media and to the speed and accuracy of the Graphtec plotter/cutter that we now use to cut all of the Seiko printer’s output.”

The FC8600-130 is part of a family of Graphtec FC8000 plotter/cutters that claims ‘fastest in class’ status. The machine has a maximum speed of 1,485mm/sec, a maximum cut area of 1,662mm x 50m and an enhanced cutting force of 600gf. In common with all Graphtec cutters, the FC8600 Series features the latest ARMS 5.0 (Advanced Registration Mark Sensing) system that claims unparalleled media plotting and cutting accuracy through the use of four-point rather than traditional three-point media registration. In addition, the system also incorporates the latest ISM (Intelligent Scan Mode) facility that further enhances tracking and cutting accuracy in longer-length print and cut applications. It also provides EPS support through the complementary Graphtec Studio software that is compatible with other popular design software programs.

Mr Parr concluded: “We had no problem in accepting and implementing Signmaster Systems’ recommendation to use the Graphtec FC8600-130 plotter/cutter in tandem with the Seiko W-54 printer. Using our preferred Tattoo vinyl media (also supplied by Signmaster Systems), we can now decorate a broader range of garments and in particular those that require decoration based on small and intricate designs than was hitherto possible.”