What does the printer do?
It’s a wide-format roll-fed inkjet printer, printing dye-sublimation inks onto transfer paper up to 1,950mm wide. It is supplied fully specified for this type of work as standard, rather than needing add-on modifications. It can be used for any dye-sublimation applications, including polyester and mixed-fabric textiles, tabletops, tiles and metal panels (as long as they are powder coated with polyester).
When was it launched and what market is it aimed at?
The launch was at Fespa in Cologne in May. Mike Horstern, Mimaki EMEA’s general manager of marketing, says: “The target is the mid-market segment for dye-sublimation printers. There are a lot of entry-level machines and a lot at the high-end, but very little in the middle. It gives you speed, quality and reliability, but it doesn’t have the industrial capacity. There are more features than entry-level machines.
“It’s not really for soft signage, definitely not a flag machine. In general it’s for fashion, curtains, tiles, metals and tabletops.”
How does it work?
This is an adaptation of Mimaki’s JV300 family with some significant modifications for textile transfer printing. The biggest is the adoption of Panasonic printheads with a longer throw distance than usual, allowing an air gap of 7mm below the heads (other Mimakis have about 3mm). This helps prevent head strikes due to the paper media cockling, especially in hot and humid conditions, says Horstern.
Bulk ink tanks are fitted instead of cartridges. An additional post-print heater is fitted so the ink is dry before the paper is rewound. A high accuracy re-winding system with a dancer bar is fitted – important for when the paper is unrolled and brought into contact with the final substrate in a calendaring roller or heat press.
A ‘Lite’ version of Mimaki’s TXLink3 RIP software is supplied. This is dedicated textile software with features such as colour replacement so the same artwork can be used to produce different colourways.
How does it differ from previous models?
“The biggest thing that differs is that with this printer you don’t need anything else. This is the first time as far as I know that it’s all in one printer: the wind-up system, the big bulk ink system, the nozzle correction, the heater, the textile software – it’s a complete package,” says Horstern.
“Our purpose-built industrial printers have these features too but they are more expensive. You could buy four of these for the price of one industrial model.”
How fast/productive is it?
Officially the maximum speed is 115m2/hr. In practise Horstern says that high quality printing is achievable at 60m2/hr.
You can choose either four colours (blue plus MKY) or six (with additional light blue and light magenta).
As it’s an all-in-one package there are no other options needed, but purchasers can choose to upgrade to the Standard or Pro versions of the TSLink software.
What is the USP?
Horstern believes that this is the first “mid-segment” textile printer, with all features fitted as standard but at a lower price than high-throughput industrial machines. The new 7mm gap Panasonic heads are unique in the range and even Mimaki TS500 industrial printers don’t have them.
How easy is it to use?
“Every printer is easy to use if you know how to use it!” Horstern laughs. “But basically you mount the paper, you run the software and you print.
“You still have to do the normal daily and weekly maintenance. It’s aqueous dye-sublimation ink so clogging is reduced and cleaning is faster than a solvent or UV printer. It’s a lot more forgiving.”
What support is on offer?
Dealers can offer training; in the UK i-Sub Digital and RA Smith are specialists in dye-sub Mimakis. Hybrid Services, Mimaki’s UK distributor, handles all servicing.
How much does it cost?
Circa £20,000, however final UK pricing and specifications are still being finalised.
What is the sales target, how many are installed currently?
So far about 18 machines have gone to dealers in Europe with customer shipments due to start at the end of July. A handful are with beta sites. Horstern expects to sell between 300 and 500 machines in EMEA during the first six months, but a lot will be to southern Europe where textile production is strong. He hopes for 50 to 70 in the UK by the end of 2015. “The fashion industry increasingly uses mixed fibres of polyester and cotton fabrics in the UK, and they’ll be interested. Universities and education sites will go for this machine because of the big advantages it has,” he predicts.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max print width 1,940mm
Max media width 1,950mm
Resolution 360dpi up to 720x1,080dpi
Colours Blue-MYK or blue-MYK plus light blue and light magenta
Passes 1-12
Operating speed range 12-115m2/hr
Production speed About 60m2/hr in four-colour
Ink tank capacity 2 litres
Footprint 3,200x850mm
Weight 213kg
Price TBC but around £20,000
Contact Hybrid Services 01270 501900 www.hybridservices.co.uk
ALTERNATIVES
Mutoh ValueJet 1638WX
This twin-head (twin-CMYK) model is configured for dye-sub printing, with roll-to-roll media handling, the ability to switch between transfer paper, direct dye-sub or aqueous inks. It’s slower and narrower than the new Mimaki, which might matter for edge-to-edge textile printing where bleed is needed.
Max print width 1,615mm
Max media width 1,635mm
Resolution 360dpi-1,080dpi
Colours CMYK
Passes Between 1 and 9
Operating speed range 11-65m2/hr
Production speed About 45m2/hr
Ink tank capacity 1 litre per colour
Price £18,995
Contact Colourgen 01628 588700 www.colourgen.com
Roland DG Texart RT-640
A keenly priced entry-level dye-sub option, offering a choice of twin-CMYK or CMYK plus range-boosting colours (light cyan, light magenta, orange and violet). There’s a new feed adjuster to help take-up accuracy. It’s slower and narrower than the Mimaki, but about half the price. A Roland version of the ErgoSoft textile RIP software can be specified for no extra cost.
Max print width 1,615mm
Max media width 1,625mm
Resolution 540x360 to 720x1,440dpi
Colours twin-CMYK or CMYK, light cyan, light magenta, orange and violet
Passes Between 2 to 24
Operating speed range 2.2-36.6m2/hr
Production speed 16-22m2/hr
Ink tank capacity 1 litre per colour
Price £12,999
Contact Roland DG UK 0845 230 9060 www.rolanddg.co.uk
