The Spilsby, Lincolnshire-based business took delivery of the machine in spring this year to optimise the performance of its cotton printing offering.

The business runs five Mimaki TX300-1800 textiles printers that use water-based pigment inks and are used to print onto a variety of cotton base cloths, all woven specially for the company to ensure the highest quality and an ethical and sustainable supply chain. Its product range includes tea towels, cushion covers, tote bags, and aprons.

“We’re able to offer small minimum runs, short lead times, competitive pricing and superb quality,” said director Lawrence Chapman.

“We work with clients to turn their design ideas into reality across a multitude of products that represent our core ethos of delivering high quality, bespoke giftware with an expert, personal approach.”

Designed for pre- and post-treating textiles for printing with pigment inks, the TR300-1850C roll-to-roll unit applies a coating to the fabric to improve print results, and once inserted into the coater, the fabric passes through a padder, where it is saturated with the necessary chemicals before passing through squeeze rollers and a dryer, and finally being rewound onto a roll.

The device was purchased from Countryside Art’s longstanding supplier RA Smart, an authorised Mimaki partner.

RA Smart owner and partner Magnus Mighall said the versatility of the device would enable Countryside Art to offer its customers the opportunity to use specific fabrics “which up until this point would not have been cost-effective to coat using an external supplier”.

“From a technical perspective, it’s also possible to enhance the finished product with a range of treatments, be it pre- or post print – aiding the wash and rub fastness and even adding fire retardant or waterproof coatings,” he added.

Chapman said the new machine has enabled the business to achieve higher colour yield and reduce its lead times.

“We are now able to coat textiles as and when we need them. The ability to enhance our colour yield has made a significant difference to colour matching, which for our corporate customers is especially critical.

“The Mimaki TR300 can be left coating with minimal supervision. It’s easy to clean and very well built, and I expect it to provide service for years to come.”

Countryside Art’s customers range from schools and charities to major retail clients and visitor attractions.