A Powerful Tool for the Booming Sticker Market and Fan-Driven Culture
Natural Finish and Excellent Material Compatibility Expand New Possibilities for UV-DTF Printing
―― A Customer-Focused Print Service Provider Shares the Potential of UJV300DTF-75

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In October 2025, f.delight installed Mimaki’s UJV300DTF-75 UV-DTF printer. By transferring only the ink and adhesive layer, it delivers a natural finish that appears directly printed onto the object, setting it apart from conventional stickers and decals.

With the sticker market and fan-driven culture continuing to grow, f.delight quickly invested in the system, confident it could create products that resonate with individual consumers. The company is now preparing to launch a B2C merchandise business. The system has already begun to deliver results in the B2B market, with a growing number of inquiries coming in just over three months after installation.

In the following interview, Representative Director Akiko Fushiki and Senior Managing Director Eijiro Fushiki discuss their expectations for UV-DTF, the response they have received so far, and their future sales strategy.

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― What led you to install the UJV300DTF-75 UV-DTF printer, and what were the key deciding factors?

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Akiko Fushiki: Stickers are currently enjoying unprecedented popularity. In particular, puffy, three-dimensional drop stickers have become a huge hit among elementary school students, and shortages have continued into 2026. When I first saw the output samples, I immediately felt that UV-DTF was exciting because it enables expressions that conventional stickers cannot achieve. For individual consumers, the ability to apply designs not only to sticker books and notebooks but also to their favorite personal items is a major selling point. Designs can even be applied to cups and bottles and withstand repeated washing—something conventional stickers cannot offer.

Another key advantage of UV-DTF is that only the ink and adhesive layer are applied, eliminating the margins and glare often associated with stickers while allowing the design to blend naturally with the material. When I visited BUNGU JOSHI HAKU, Japan’s largest stationery sales event, I saw many visitors spending significant amounts on stationery they found "KAWAII." Seeing that demand, I felt that UV-DTF, which lets consumers apply designs with a natural, directly printed look, could become a powerful tool for the sticker boom and, by extension, fan-driven culture.

We decided to install the UJV300DTF-75 because, unlike ordinary stickers, it does not limit what it can be applied to, and its ability to blend naturally with a wide range of materials is something we believe will truly resonate with consumers. In the merchandise business, the idea of owning something that no one else has is an important key.

― I see. So you felt that UV-DTF would resonate with individual consumers amid today’s booming sticker market and fan-driven culture. What kind of response have you seen so far?

Eijiro Fushiki: I also see another possibility. When we go to job sites, we bring many tools with us, but many of them have similar shapes, making it easy to accidentally pick up someone else’s tool. I think many people in our industry have experienced this at least once. I thought UV-DTF could be useful in situations like this as well. Recently, more tradespeople are becoming style-conscious, so it would be interesting if they could apply cool-looking personal marks to a wide variety of small tools.

In November 2025, we exhibited at an event in Shizuoka for American-style tradespeople and brought output samples from the UJV300DTF-75. Many visitors tried applying them to tools such as utility knives and impact drivers, drawing enough attention to create a crowd. Despite the rainy, humid weather, the samples were well received for being easy to apply and looking cool. We also attracted interest from an executive at one company, and discussions are still ongoing, giving us a very strong response.

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In this way, one of the appeals of UV-DTF is that it can expand business possibilities depending on the idea, such as by combining a sense of "cute" that appeals to women with a sense of "cool" that appeals to men. For example, in the tool segment, applying a mark to the blade of a snap-off utility knife can help tradespeople recognize it as their own and foster a stronger sense of responsibility, which can also contribute to safety measures.

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― So you are seeing strong potential in the UJV300DTF-75 as a machine that can expand business opportunities depending on the idea. Could you tell us about your sales strategy going forward?

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Akiko Fushiki: We named the product "TranSticker," a coined term combining "transfer" and "sticker." UV-DTF is easy to understand once people see it in person, but it can be difficult to explain in words. We wanted a name that would emphasize how it differs from ordinary stickers, so we chose a name that conveys both transfer and sticker.

For our sales strategy, we are planning to develop two channels. In the B2B market, where customers require a highly refined finish, we will handle the application process with a dedicated team, helping strengthen sales in our existing business.

For the B2C market, we plan to supply printed transfer sheets so consumers can freely apply designs to the items they love. We hope this will allow more individual consumers to experience the quality of UV-DTF and lead to new customer development.

To keep the two channels separate, we are also preparing to launch a dedicated B2C brand, along with easy-to-understand explanatory videos.

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― Finally, could you share your overall assessment of the UJV300DTF-75 after installing it?

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Eijiro Fushiki: I see the UJV300DTF-75 as a machine that offers excellent value. It allows us to present clear advantages to customers, while keeping the initial investment relatively low and requiring only a small installation space. The potential of UV-DTF lies in its ability to capture client interest, whether it is presented by a new sales representative or an experienced one.

Just the other day, we were speaking with a restaurant client about how to address language barriers, as the number of foreign workers has been increasing recently. UV-DTF can be useful in situations like this as well. I suggested applying transfer sheets printed with the UJV300DTF-75 inside the kitchen as guidance signs for foreign workers. This led to a lively conversation about how different it was from label printing, and I was impressed by how satisfied the person in charge seemed.

Beyond that, we have been receiving a growing number of inquiries in just over three months, including pictogram signage for hospitals and accent decorations for household items. Every day, I can really feel that the UJV300DTF-75 is helping us discover new business opportunities.

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