What are Custom Made printers and how do they work?

IMAGO’s Custom Made printers are custom-designed devices – from customer requirements analysis, technology selection and prototyping, to implementation and service support. Unlike standard catalog printers, which have predetermined parameters (table size, ink technology, printing area), Custom Made tailors each component to the specifics of your product and process. The basis of all our Custom Made systems is Drop-on-Demand (DOD) piezoelectric technology, in which heads eject microscopic ink droplets with extreme precision up to tens of thousands of times per second. This allows us to carry out projects on a wide range of materials: glass, metal, aluminum, wood, plastics (PP, PE, ABS, PS, PMMA, PC), flexible film, cardboard, ceramics and even food products (chocolate, baked goods).

Custom Made IMAGO goes through a process of Discovery → Proof Lab (testing on your material) → design and prototyping → FAT/SAT (acceptance) → implementation and training. You don’t buy a “cat in the bag” – you see concrete results on your samples before you decide.

What device formats do we offer?

• Flatbed (table-top printers) – printing on flat surfaces with precise positioning; ideal for small and medium runs, tests, proof-of-concept. Customizable: unusual table dimensions (from a few tens of cm² to several m²), additional axes (Z adjustable automatically, rotary axis), vision systems (positioning relative to the relief), robotics (feeding/receiving details), surface activation (plasma, corona, flame).
• Single Pass (in-line) – in-line printing; product moves in a constant beat under a stationary head bar without stopping the line. Full integration with conveyors, feeders and MES/ERP systems – printing variable data (lot numbers, QR codes, campaign versions) without downtime. Technologies: UV-LED (plastics, glass, metals), solvent (films), food (printing on food).
• Specialized systems – hybrid devices (belt transport + Z-adjustment), roll-to-roll printers (roll-to-roll), systems with tracking (the printing module moves with the material – ideal for pipes, profiles), laboratory solutions (observation of inkjet processes, formulation tests), clean room (medicine, pharmacy).
• Additional modules: vision systems (quality control, automatic inspection), robotics (component manipulation arms), surface activation (for difficult PP/PE materials), MES/ERP integration (full communication with production systems), clean room (medical/pharmaceutical standards), deionization systems (for electrostatic materials).

Ink technologies – the full spectrum of possibilities

Unlike standard printers that support a single ink technology, Custom Made IMAGO handles projects with a full spectrum of formulations – selecting the optimal technology for your material, application and print durability requirements.

UV-LED – ink cured instantly with ultraviolet light; forms a durable layer resistant to abrasion, chemicals and UV radiation.

Applications: plastics (PP, PE, ABS, PS, PMMA, PC), glass (flacons, premium bottles – flat zones), metals (aluminum, steel – panels, housings), building materials (ceramic tiles, HPL/MDF panels), wood and laminates (furniture, packaging).

Industries: FMCG, cosmetics, household appliances, electronics, industrial components.

Solvent-based ink; high external resistance, flexibility, adhesion to difficult surfaces.

Applications: flexible films, packaging materials, industrial labels, outdoor advertising.

Industries: bulk packaging, flexible materials, signage.

Water ink (aqua) – ecological, safe, ideal for porous materials.

Applications: paper, cardboard, packaging materials.

Industries: cardboard packaging, labels, environmental printing.

Food (food) – edible ink for printing directly on food.

Applications: chocolate (fat material + edible water ink – world-class technology developed by IMAGO R&D), baked goods (cookies, cakes, gingerbread), fruits (apples, citrus – premium personalization).

Industries: confectionery, bakery, fresh food, premium foodservice.

Functional (specialized) – custom formulations developed at INKnovation Lab. Silver nanoparticles (conductive printing – printed electronics, document security), invisible inks (security, minting, valuable documents), dedicated formulations (adhesion to extremely difficult surfaces, resistance to extreme temperatures, specific regulatory requirements).

With Custom Made, you are not limited by a catalog – if your application requires a specialized formulation, INKnovation Lab will develop a dedicated ink with tests for adhesion, durability and reproduction quality. We work with ink manufacturers and have access to the latest formulations on the market.

R&D and laboratories – the heart of IMAGO innovation

IMAGO’s Research and Development Department has focused on developing dedicated digital printing systems for industry since 2013. A team of engineers with competencies in mechanics, automation, programming, fluid engineering and ink chemistry – fluent in English – carry out Custom Made projects from needs analysis to commissioning of finished systems at the customer’s site.

Proof Lab – test lab for customer materials. Printing tests on samples (up to 50 pcs), adhesion tests (tape test, cross-hatch), resistance tests (abrasion, chemical, UV, temperature, moisture), color calibration (RAL, PANTONE, ΔE ≤ 2). Report with recommendations: ink technology, pretreatment, process parameters.

INKnovation Lab

Ink formulation laboratory. Development of dedicated inks for specific customer materials, durability/adhesion/quality reproduction tests, cooperation with ink manufacturers (access to the latest formulations), testing for compliance with standards (indirect/direct contact with food, medical/pharmaceutical requirements).

Certificates and awards confirm quality:
✓ ISO 9001:2015 Certificate (2023) – guarantee of repeatable processes
✓ 3 Gold Medals at the Marketing Festival (2022) – technological innovation
✓ Product of the Year 2023 (Vulpes plotter) – recognition from the food industryIMAGO does not just supply machines – it creates technologies that do not exist on the market. Since 2013, we have been developing the know-how that allows us to design and produce Custom Made equipment regardless of the ink technology, device format or specific application.

Printing technology in anodized aluminum

Development of ink formulation and process parameters for printing resistant to extreme abrasion and chemicals.

Application: industrial nameplates, permanent markings in automotive, household appliance components. Resistance exceeding the requirements of industrial standards.

Conductive printing with silver nanoparticles

Development of functional systems based on silver nanoparticle ink.

Applications: printed electronics (antennas, sensors, circuits), document security (conductive elements impossible to copy), minting (NFC/RFID integration). Industrial-level dispensing precision and process repeatability.

Food printing on chocolate

Proprietary technology for printing on fat material (chocolate) with edible water-based ink. World-class technology, confirmed by key customers: “The technology for printing on chocolate developed by IMAGO is a world-class solution…. The quality of the prints is the highest on the market.”

Application: confectionery industry, premium foodservice, personalization of food products.

Vision systems and positioning

Integration of digital printing with vision systems and software for precise positioning of the print relative to the product relief.

Applications: minting (printing on coins/medals including relief), document security, components with finished relief. Positioning precision ±0.1 mm.

From Discovery to Implementation

Cooperation with IMAGO is a transparent process in which every step is clearly defined – from the first meeting to the launch of mass production and long-term support.

1. Discovery – requirements analysis (2-5 days)

• Meeting with IMAGO team: process engineer, inkjet specialist, project manager. Product analysis: material, dimensions, surface specification (surface energy, porosity, treatment), required print quality (resolution, resistance, color calibration).
• Define parameters: production timing (for Single Pass), print area, production volume, integration with existing MES/ERP line/systems.
• Verification of technical feasibility and preliminary valuation (CAPEX + estimated TCO).

2. Proof Lab – tests and trials (5-10 working days)

• Printing trials on customer material (up to 50 samples) – different ink technologies, process parameters, pre-treatments (if required).
• Tests of adhesion (tape test, cross-hatch), resistance (Taber/Crockmeter abrasion, chemistry – alcohol/detergents/acids, UV, temperature, humidity), color calibration (RAL, PANTONE, ΔE). Test report includes: photos of samples, results of adhesion/resistance measurements, recommended ink technology, pre-treatment recommendations (plasma/corona/flame), process parameters (UV power, number of passes).
• Project decision based on facts, not assumptions.

3. design and prototyping (4-12 weeks, depending on complexity)

• Mechanical design (frame structure, transport system, height adjustments), electrical design (power supply, controllers, sensors), control software (HMI in Polish, material presets, integration with MES/ERP – if required).
• Selection of components: print heads (Epson Precision Core / Xaar / others – depending on the application), inkjet pumps, UV lamps (for UV-LED), transport systems (conveyors, feeders, positioning systems).
• Prototype + functional testing at IMAGO (performance, repeatability, process stability).
• FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) – acceptance at the manufacturer with full technical documentation.

4. implementation and commissioning (1-3 weeks)

• Delivery, mechanical/electrical installation, integration into the customer’s production line (for Single Pass) or standalone installation (for flatbed).
• SAT (Site Acceptance Test) – acceptance at the customer’s site according to the criteria agreed upon in the Discovery phase.
• Training of operators (HMI operation, ink replacement, daily maintenance, alarm response) and maintenance/UR department (diagnostics, maintenance, advanced adjustments).
• SLA service package (response time, spare parts availability, service visits), technical documentation (manuals, wiring diagrams, spare parts lists), material presets (parameter library for tested materials).

5. support and development – a long-term partnership

• Local technical support (Warsaw, Lublin, Gliwice, Bydgoszcz) – phone, e-mail, remote support, service visits.
• Access to INKnovation Lab – testing of new materials (when customer introduces new products/SKUs), optimization of process parameters (reducing ink consumption, increasing speed), development of new formulations (when requirements change).
• Possibility to upgrade and expand the device – adding modules (vision systems, robotics, surface activation), software upgrade, increasing the printing field/capacity.
• Predictability at every stage – from Discovery to go-live.
• No surprises, no hidden costs.

Why IMAGO? Local manufacturing and partner philosophy

Design and production in Poland – full quality control, short response time, flexibility in design modifications. Unlike multinational corporations with rigid catalogs, IMAGO as a Polish manufacturer adapts to individual customer requirements – from the first meeting to years of service support. Offices and service in Poland: Warsaw (headquarters, R&D, Proof Lab, INKnovation Lab), Lublin (sales office), Gliwice (service), Bydgoszcz (service). Technical support in Polish – no communication barriers, fast response to requests, local spare parts warehouses. Average service response time: <24h (phone/remote support), <48h (field visit).Operator-first philosophy: HMI interfaces in Polish – intuitive, no technical jargon; material presets – operator selects profile from library, system automatically sets parameters (no need for manual calibration); automatic basing and monitoring – system itself controls workpiece height, ink level, UV lamp power, temperature/humidity; operator and UR department training – practical, adapted to participants’ knowledge level, with materials in Polish.

Long-term partnership

IMAGO is not a machine vendor, but a project partner that grows with the customer’s business. Comprehensive support: from Discovery, Proof Lab and implementation, to servicing and future upgrades. Ability to upgrade equipment with new modules (as the process changes, as new requirements arise). Access to the latest ink and printhead technologies (collaboration with Epson, ink manufacturers, technology partners). SLA packages – predictability of operating costs (TCO), minimization of downtime, maintenance budgeting for years ahead.Experience confirmed by customers: “The Aquila Aluminum device is currently the best solution on the market for the production of indestructible bars” – industrial customer. “The chocolate printing technology developed by IMAGO is a world-class solution…. the quality of the prints is the highest on the market” – food industry customer.

IMAGO Custom Made = customized technology + local support + long-term partnership. You don’t buy a machine – you get a partner who solves your technology problems.