Available to purchase in Q4 2024, the four consist of the 3.2m TS330-3200DS, which prints with a single inkset on both transfer paper and textiles; the entry-level print and cut CJV200; the 1.6m direct-to-film (DTF) TXF300-1600; and the 1.213x1.213mm flatbed JFX200-1213 EX for compact printing and signage.
Based on Mimaki’s 330-series architecture, the TS330 is capable of print speeds up to 90sqm/hr. Fitted with a platen under the print area for transfer sublimation, the printer then can be reconfigured for direct-to-fabric or transfer paper printing by removing the platen. Once removed, the TS330 can be used for flags and banners that need ink pass-through, polyester materials, or thick and stretchy fabrics that require handling with transfer paper.
The TS330 will be launched at a price of $99,000 (£76,000) in the US market.
“There’s nothing out there like it at that price point,” said Josh Hope, the firm’s US marketing director.
“Having the ability to do a paper transfer sublimation for certain fabrics, and then print direct for others, but with a single machine and single inkset, it really helps printers’ versatility. And at under $100,000, we believe there’s really no other competition.
“People who are currently shopping for a 3.2m textile machine, are shopping in the neighbourhood of twice that price. So I think people are going to have to take notice.”
Two of the other printers are resized versions of existing technology: the JFX200-1213 being a square-bed version of the JFX-2513, developed in response to customer demand; and the TXF300-1600 a widened version of the TXF300-75 film printer that can accordingly print 30% faster than its predecessor.
“DTF has taken off a lot faster, and more widely, than most people expected,” Hope said.
“It’s a standard industry width – so we’re not coming up with anything crazy here, just taking advantage of a common size and bringing it into this new technology. It’s about providing throughput and giving printers more choice in size.”
The final machine, the CJV200, is a print-and-cut machine designed for smaller firms taking their first steps into commercial production.
“It’s entry-level,” Hope said, “but serious entry-level”.
Available in 0.89m, 1.37m and 1.6m widths, the CJV is an upgraded version of Mimaki’s previous entry-level model, the CJV150 offering nearly double the production speed at the same quality.
A team of engineers from Mimaki’s Japanese headquarters are in attendance at the show, along with Mimaki’s president Kazuaki Ikeda, who comes to every trade show where the company exhibits, Hope said.
“Mimaki is really an engineering company, primarily, so they’re very interested to hear the feedback and see what people are doing [with the machines] and how we can learn from that.
“A lot of the printing market is really commoditised, and it’s hard to make a huge difference. So we really strive to find those areas where we can solve a specific problem in a way that others can’t.”
Printing United runs untl 12 September in Las Vegas.
Mimaki’s exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland, Hybrid Services, will show all of the new printers at The Print Show, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 17 to 19 September, with the event marking the European launch of both the CJV200 and the TS330-3200DS.
All of the new machines will be commercially available in Europe towards the end of 2024.
