The UK has experienced a significant rise in burglaries, with 238,893 incidents reported across England and Wales in 2023-2024, equating to 27 burglaries every hour. Alarmingly, 70% of these break-ins occur through unlocked doors, highlighting the critical need for robust security measures, including high-quality locks and keys. Amid this backdrop, JMA UK, a leading name in the locksmith industry, has emerged as a key player in enhancing security while embracing the growing consumer demand for personalised products.
JMA UK: A Legacy of Innovation
Founded in 1972, JMA UK began as a locksmith premises in Harrow before evolving into a key wholesaler in the late 1970s. By 1984, it had become the UK’s largest supplier of key blanks, with a global presence spanning over 100 countries, six production plants across three continents, and a portfolio of more than 50,000 products. Today, JMA UK serves locksmiths, retailers, and key cutters, offering a wide range of security-focused solutions.
In response to the increasing consumer demand for personalisation – 76% of customers now expect personalised products – JMA UK introduced its innovative ‘Personalised Cool Keys’. These high-quality domed key blanks allow customers to add custom images, logos, and designs, blending functionality with creativity. The product’s appeal lies in its accessibility, offering flexibility for both small businesses and larger residential establishments.
The Role of Roland DG
To meet the demand for these bespoke security solutions, JMA UK partnered with Roland DG, utilising its VersaSTUDIO BN2 series printer/cutter. This state-of-the-art equipment, supplied by resin specialists Liquid Lens, combines high-quality printing with precision contour cutting, enabling JMA UK to produce vibrant, personalised key designs efficiently and cost-effectively.
The VersaSTUDIO BN2 series streamlines production by integrating printing and contour cutting into a single automated process, reducing manual handling and saving time. Its high-definition print heads and advanced ink technology ensure sharp lines, vivid colours, and crisp details, making it ideal for intricate logos and patterns. The desktop-friendly design and intuitive software make the BN2 easy to operate, even for team members with minimal printing experience, while its front-loading system enhances efficiency in locksmith environments.
The Production Process
The creation of personalised keys begins with an image, typically a customer-provided logo. For clients without an image, JMA UK offers design services using Roland DG’s FlexiDESIGNER VersaSTUDIO Edition software. Once the design is approved, it is processed through the BN2’s Versaworks print & cut software, ensuring seamless integration between printing and cutting stages for faster turnaround times.
The BN2’s advanced media handling features guarantee accurate registration and consistent quality, vital for intricate key designs that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. After printing, stickers are left to off-gas overnight before the top layer is peeled away. The sheets are then loaded onto JMA UK’s Liquid Lens Opal machine, a semi-automatic doming machine that has been in use for over a decade.
The resin cartridge is loaded into the Opal machine, with dosing adjusted based on the sticker’s shape and size. Once doming is complete, the sheets are placed in a Liquid Lens curing oven at 45 degrees Celsius to set. Although the stickers dry within a few hours, they are typically left in the oven overnight to ensure full curing.
The result is a high-gloss, durable dome made from premium polyurethane resin, enhancing the logo or design while improving key identification and grip. Once cured, the stickers are ready for application onto keys, key rings, leather fobs, or shipment to customers for self-application.
JMA UK’s Verdict
Ryan Spendlove of JMA UK praised the BN2 series for its efficiency and ease of use: “The BN2 is perfect for our scale of operations. It’s user-friendly, simple to maintain, and the integrated print and cut functionality saves us considerable time compared to using separate machines. The support from Roland DG has been fantastic – quick responses to technical queries and easily accessible online manuals make maintenance straightforward.”
He also highlighted the integral role of Liquid Lens in the doming process: “Their Premium Polyurethane Resin and Opal doming machine have ensured consistent quality and durability in our personalised products. The integration of the BN2-20A with our existing production setup was seamless, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”
Looking Ahead
With the BN2 series powering their personalised key production and Liquid Lens providing essential resin doming expertise, JMA UK continues to see growing demand for its custom domed keys, key rings, and stickers. The company plans to expand its product range to include more designs in various sizes and shapes, leveraging the BN2 series and exploring further integration of Roland DG’s customisation hardware.
As burglary rates remain a pressing concern, JMA UK’s innovative approach to security and personalisation positions it as a leader in the industry, offering products that are not only functional but also tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers.
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