The direct-to-textile machine is the first Mimaki printer of this kind to be released, following the firm’s acquisition of Italian textile machine manufacturer La Meccanica earlier this year.
The eight-colour device is commercially available with immediate effect and will be shown for the first time at a global exhibition at Heimtextil 2017, which will take place from 10 to 13 January in Frankfurt. It will also be shown at Fespa 2017, which will take place in Hamburg in May.
The Tiger-1800B has a maximum print speed of 385sqm/hr, 600dpi print resolution and a maximum print width of 1.85m.
Mimaki said is it suitable for high-volume digital production of applications such as furnishings, flags, sports apparel and interior fabrics that could only be cost-effectively achieved in the past using traditional textile printing technologies.
Optional units can be added to expand the printer’s capabilities, including feeding units for jumbo rolls or folded fabrics, heating units and a folding arm unit for storing fabric in the box after printing.
Mimaki EMEA general marketing manager Mike Horsten said: “The fashion industry is currently the main target for this machine, which uses reactive inks. We will add other ink settings in the future but the reactive market is a huge and fast-paced market.
“This is the first of a total new generation of products for the professional area. We are also currently in the final process of making a Tiger that is 3.2m-wide, giving us new opportunities for the bedspread market for example.
“We’re looking to make a family of products and we will integrate the knowledge of La Meccanica when it comes to the mechanical transportation of paper and textiles.”
He added: “We have been in the textile area since the beginning and in the last couple of years we’ve put a lot of focus on this market. Alongside corrugated packaging, textile is one of the two biggest growth areas in the printing industry.”
The cost of the Tiger-1800B was not disclosed but is dependent on specification, Mimaki said.
