FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MUTOH EUROPE EXTENDS CO-OPERATION WITH EasySIGN NCD

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 portfoliosays 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 Mutohs (electronic positioning) technology. The Ultimas 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

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

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

MUTOH EUROPE N.V.
Archimedesstraat 13
B-8400 Oostende, België
Phone: 32-(0)59/ 56 14 00
Fax: 32-(0)59/ 80 71 17
E-Mail: mutoh@mutoh.be
Website URL: www.mutoh.be