Mimaki’s new TS34-1800A is a wide-format production dye-sublimation inkjet printer. It prints with disperse dyes to a carrier transfer paper, which is then pressed onto polyester fabric, releasing the ink from the paper and imprinting the material.
When was it launched?
Initially unveiled earlier this week at the CTCO exhibition in Lyon, France, Mimaki will officially launch the TS34-1800A, when it exhibits at Fespa 2012 later this month.
For those unable to get to Fespa, the machine is expected to have its UK and Ireland launch at Sign & Digital UK, at the end of March.
Who is the machine targeted at?
According to Duncan Jefferies, marketing manager at Hybrid Services, exclusive Mimaki distributor for UK & Ireland, the machine is "aimed squarely" at the sportswear, fashion and soft signage, exhibition graphics and retail point-of-sale (POS) markets.
How fast is it?
The TS34-1800A can print on a variety of materials at up to 32m2/hr at a resolution of 540x720dpi. It can also print in six-colour mode at a reduced speed of 17.7m2/hr at the same resolution.
What is the USP of the product?
The TS34-1800A features the manufacturer’s ‘uninterrupted ink supply system’ (UISS) function. This enables the setting of two ink cartridges per colour in four-colour mode, so that when an ink cartridge is depleted, the system switches automatically to the second cartridge of the same colour, reducing downtime.
The TS34-1800A is also available with the optional ‘Mimaki bulk ink system’ (MBIS), which provides a high-volume continuous ink supply in the form of two-litre ink packs.
Being designed for printing to transfer paper, the Mimaki has a user-adjustable head height, a powerful vacuum in the platen and a useful 1,900mm print width.
How does it work?
Printing to polyester with aqueous dyes can be achieved by printing direct to coated, stable variants of the fabric, or via the dye-sublimation transfer method, which is best suited to uncoated and ‘stretchy’ forms of the material, according to Mimaki.
"Typically, this means the sportswear market – where vibrant colours and print with no ‘handle’ or feel to it are all important factors," says Jefferies.
He says this also crosses over into the fashion printing sector, along with elements of POS and graphics production, especially onto stretchable materials such as polyester-Lycra blends.
How much does it cost?
The UK list price for the TS34-1800A is £25,995, which includes a two-year warranty, powered take-up unit, for unattended, long-run printing, and Mimaki RasterLink Pro RIP software package. However, according to Jefferies, as a limited-time promotion, Hybrid is offering to include the MBIS, frontal drying unit and 16 litres of Sb52 dye-sublimation ink with sales of the machine.
"At average coverage, this is enough to produce around 800m2 of printed fabric; the revenue of which could go to paying for a substantial part of the investment in the printer itself," he says.
How easy is it to use?
Hybrid says the RasterLink Pro RIP software, supplied inkset, control panel and powered take-up unit make the TS34-1800A simple to integrate into a production environment.
What training and service support is on offer?
Alongside the fully comprehensive two-year warranty, Hybrid provides a complete installation and training package from one of its specialist dye-sublimation resellers.
What is the sales target and how many have been installed so far?
Although there are currently no users, Hybrid anticipates a strong uptake of this unit. Initial response from its reseller network has been strong and the Mimaki TS34 offers production printing speeds at a very competitive price. "The response from our specialist textile resellers suggests they’re already confident the dye-sub market will very quickly adopt this machine for volume output," adds Jefferies.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max print width 1,900mm
Max speed 32m2/hr
Resolution 540, 720, 1,440dpi
Max media size 210x1,910mm
Max media thickness 1mm
Printheads Drop-on-demand piezo (staggered array of two printheads)
Footprint 2.8x7.5m
Weight 210kg
Price £25,995
Contact Hybrid Services www.hybridservices.co.uk 01270 501900
ALTERNATIVES
Roland VersaArt RS-640S
Roland DG’s VersaArt RS-640 is designed to produce posters and outdoor signage. The four-colour machine employs eco-solvent inkjet technology and comes complete with VersaWorks professional RIP software. The VersaArt RS-640 incorporates Roland Intelligent Pass Control and can output on a range of paper media and fabrics.
Max print width 1,615mm
Max speed 32m2/hr
Resolution 1,440dpi
Price £15,499
Contact Roland DG www.rolanddg.co.uk 0845 230 9060
Mutoh Viper Extreme
According to Mutoh, its Viper sublimation printers are specifically designed to print on transfer paper using sublimation ink. Transfer is possible on all kinds of polyester materials with the Viper sublimation printers including flag, sports goods, T-shirt decorations, mouse pads and curtains. The Mutoh Viper is available in two print widths: 1,641mm and 2,240mm.
Max print width 1,641mm
Max speed 42m2/hr
Resolution 360, 720 and 1,440dpi
Price £28,035
Contact Colourgen www.colourgen.com 01628 588700
