Only Boards makes major investment with CMYUK

Print Solutions

Woking based start up, Only Boards, has made a significant investment in a production workflow from CMYUK, giving the business the capacity to print, cut, laminate and finish in-house from day one.

The equipment line up comprises a Mimaki JFX 200-2513 EX UV-LED flatbed printer, Mimaki UCJV330-160 roll to roll printer/cutter, Mimaki CG-160FXII Plus cutting plotter, Neolt laminator, and a Jwei Jcut Pro1625 digital cutting table.

Together, the equipment gives Only Boards a joined up, scalable production workflow supporting specialist services across boards and signage, interiors and other wide format applications.

The company is co-owned by Pedro Guevara and silent partner Terry King. Karina Matheus is responsible for branding, communications, marketing and customer service.

Trained as an industrial and graphic designer, Pedro began his career in Venezuela designing large scale event spaces, creating 3D environments and print artwork for brands including Diageo’s spirits portfolio and FMCG brands such as Oreo. Alongside this, he ran his own wallpaper business, developing expertise in bespoke patterns and experimenting with materials and applications.

After moving to the UK, he added hands-on experience in embroidery and signage, followed by five years as a head designer in the vehicle wrapping industry. This gave him a strong understanding of how design, materials, and production work together, and how relatively low cost substrates can become higher value finished products.

The idea for Only Boards came from recognising just how widely boards and signs are used in everyday life.

‘I kept looking around and realised that every street, every building, every venue needs a sign or a board, from a toilet symbol to a stadium wayfinder,’ said Pedro. ‘That is when I thought what if I create a business where the speciality is only boards?’

Only Boards is one part of a broader plan. Pedro’s intention is to use the production capability as an engine for specialist brands, each focused on a particular market. That means building a workflow able to handle repeatable production efficiently, while retaining the flexibility to explore new materials, products, and applications.

Pedro spent months researching manufacturers, technologies and suppliers, comparing specification and price alongside reliability, running costs, application possibilities and long term support.

He approached several suppliers with the same brief, but says CMYUK stood out. ‘CMYUK was the one which really responded. It came back to me quickly, engaged with detail, and helped shape the solution, not just quote a price,’ he said.

Working with CMYUK’s sales director, Chris Martin, the equipment package was considered as an integrated workflow rather than a collection of standalone machines. A visit to the supplier’s demonstration and training centre in Shrewsbury enabled Pedro to see the technology working together and explore applications and materials before committing to the investment.

The Mimaki JFX 200-2513 EX UV-LED flatbed sits at the heart of the operation. Pedro values its ability to print direct to rigid materials including stone, wood, and boards, while maintaining high resolution output. White and clear inks also give him scope to create decorative effects and extra protection when required.

Alongside this sits the Mimaki UCJV330-160 roll to roll printer/cutter, which is used for vehicle wrap vinyl, stickers and custom wallpapers. Its integrated print and cut capability saves time and, because it uses UV ink, output is instantly dry and ready for lamination or installation without gassing out delays.

Pedro has built his own colour profiles to reduce ink use while still giving him what he calls ‘complete confidence in the colour production’. He also likes the subtle micro-embossed effect that can appear once laminated, which he feels gives some images greater depth.

A Mimaki CG-160FXII Plus provides additional cutting capacity for signwriting and stickers and integrates with the UCJV330-160 for contour cutting.

To protect and enhance printed output, Pedro uses a Neolt laminator. Previous experience of overcomplicated lamination equipment meant he wanted something straightforward, robust and easy to use.

‘I have always had a good experience with Neolt,’ he said. ‘The Italians, like the Japanese, are great engineers. When I saw how the laminator works, it was so simple, I really liked it. The price was really good as well.’

Only Boards has installed a Jwei 1625 Jcut Pro digital cutting table on CMYUK’s recommendation after Pedro mapped out a workflow dependent on fast, accurate and automated finishing.

He needed a table capable of handling straightforward board work as well as more complex shapes and materials. The machine combines routing, kiss cutting, oscillating cutting, creasing and V-cutting, with automated feeding and zoned vacuum hold down helping to keep production consistent.

Coming from a background that included manual cutting and other finishing systems, Pedro wanted speed, repeatability, and cutting capacity that could handle his printer investment.

He is also using the device alongside his in-house 3D printer to develop more engineered products. Small clips and fixings can be 3D printed, while corresponding board components are cut on the Jwei to fit precisely. In one example, he is developing hotel grass signage in which 3D printed clips lock onto cut panels to create a complete sign assembly.

That ability to turn ideas into finished products is central to Pedro’s wider strategy. Alongside Only Boards, he has also set up the Only Walls brand, focussing on bespoke textured wallpapers and interior décor for hospitality, corporate, and residential environments.

Longer term, he plans to increase automation and develop online ordering to make the customer experience simpler, faster and more convenient.

Pedro said, ‘CMYUK has given us exactly the platform we imagined. With this investment we have a production engine room that we trust, so we can now focus on ideas and growing our business.’