14 Dec 2024

The 27-year journey of a Mimaki CG-61 vinyl cutter

The 27-year journey of a Mimaki CG-61 vinyl cutter

Over quarter of a century after it was first sold, Hybrid Services had a special reunion with an original Mimaki CG-61 vinyl cutter when its tech support team received a call from traditional signwriter, Richard Cole.

Reaching out to Hybrid with an inquiry about his cutter, Cole mentioned that one of the motors had finally given out, with it being “the first problem I've had in 27 years.” Before becoming a full-time sign maker, Cole took a bold leap, investing his hard-earned savings from his factory job into one of the first Mimaki vinyl plotters sold in the UK and Ireland. By adding cut vinyl to his product offering, Cole recalls the cutter paying for itself within the first week of ownership.

Since then, the CG-61 has been his trusted companion, playing a key role in the growth of his business and helping him create stunning artwork for clients across the UK. While Cole specialises in traditional signwriting, his skills and product range extend to murals, upcycling, general signage and much more.

Even though his trusty Mimaki cutter wasn't as efficient as it used to be with one motor down, Cole was still able to put it to good use. However, to ensure his business continued to run smoothly and thrive, Cole decided that it was time to move on with a brand-new Mimaki CG60-AR. Hybrid took the opportunity to celebrate this occasion and delivered his new cutter personally. The CG60-AR offers a significant upgrade from the CG-61, boasting a faster maximum cutting speed and a 550g cutting pressure that's the highest in its class - expanding the range of materials it can handle.