Commercially available with immediate effect, LUS-170 Clear Ink is said to offer UCJV300 users new design possibilities and business opportunities by enabling them to create displays with a gloss, matt or textured finish.
“With the availability of this clear ink for the UCJV300 series, we have employed our proprietary Mimaki Clear Control (MCC) technology for the first time in a roll-to-roll printer,” said Mimaki Europe general manager of sales Ronald van den Broek.
“This unique feature shortens the time needed for ink curing to prevent dust from sticking, ensuring smoother, cleaner clear effects, such as matt or glossy finish. We believe this new ink opens up more possibilities for Mimaki users and enhances the versatility of our UCJV300 series even further.”
To simplify the process of creating clear effects, Mimaki is offering the Artista UV Texture Library, which users can access when they install the manufacturer's RasterLink6 Plus RIP software on a UCJV300 printer.
The library features 129 texture swatches for use in Adobe Illustrator to add additional visual effects.
Available in four different print widths ranging from 0.8m to 1.6m, the UCJV300 series printers are said to feature low running costs and instantly dry ink, which allows printing onto materials including PET film, fabric and heat-sensitive media.
The integrated cutting functionality on the machines enables users to create applications including labels, decals, window clings, floor graphics, POP displays and vehicle markings.
Brett Newman, chief operations manager at Mimaki’s UK and Ireland distributor Hybrid Services, said: “Utilising flexible UV inks that cure instantly allows customers to quickly print and immediately laminate or deliver the finished product without waiting for drying.
“The UCJV printers also feature white ink, enabling users to produce brilliant colours on transparent, coloured or metallic substrates. The introduction of clear ink also places the UCJV300 series into the prototyping and packaging environment.”
The UCJV300 series also features layered printing capability, which Mimaki said allows the machines to deliver dynamic backlit graphics or graphics that are transformed with different light sources.
“UV-curable inks also offer greater opacity with less ink consumption than other ink formulations,” said Newman.
“Mimaki’s LUS-170 ink is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning that it meets the rigorous standards for low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities.”
