Mimaki has announced that its Tx300P-1800 and Tx300P-1800B direct-to-textile printers have been updated, providing the capability to simultaneously load both textile pigment and sublimation inks.
This enables the use of a single printer to print directly onto a much wider range of textiles without the need to swap out ink systems. This previously unavailable, newly developed technology represents a major breakthrough that will significantly improve productivity and increase flexibility for these Mimaki textile printers.
Having identified demand for fast turnaround times as well as short and bespoke production runs by customers in the textile, fashion and apparel markets, Mimaki have now created the option to switch fabric types quickly and easily, by selecting the most appropriate ink system for each fabric with the enhanced system also providing valuable environmental benefits by the removal of water or steaming from the post-treatment process.
Mimaki already offers five different ink types for textile printing, including sublimation dye ink, dispersion dye ink, textile pigment ink, reactive dye ink and acid dye ink. In the normal course of operation, one ink per printer must be selected. Textile print producers will now be able to use the two most popular ink types in one single printer. Both the Tx300P-1800 and Tx300P-1800B direct-to-textile printers will have the capability to simultaneously load TP400 textile pigment ink for cotton and hemp materials as well as Sb420 sublimation dye ink for polyester material. Since neither ink type generally requires steaming or washing in the post-treatment process, there is no need for a large operational space, huge volumes of water, or special expertise in handling the printed fabric. All that is required is the printer and colour fixing equipment, making these entry-level printers suitable for use by designers, fabric workshops, and educational and research institutions.
“This is a very exciting development for our textile print customers,” comments Stephen Woodall National Sales Manager – Textile & Apparel, for Hybrid Services Ltd, Mimaki’s exclusive UK and Ireland distributor. “Mimaki has listened carefully to feedback from this sector and understood the need for greater print production flexibility and productivity whilst still providing an affordable package coupled with a compact footprint. We are finding that these printers are increasingly in demand from professional design and educational environments, which in turn is likely to create even more momentum and interest in on-demand digital printing of textiles.”
Mimaki’s TP400 textile pigment ink, which consists of solvent, pigment and binder agent, is fixed through heat without impairing the breathability and water absorbency of the fabric; removing the need for large post-treatment equipment. These inks deliver beautiful print results on cotton and hemp materials and are recommended for interior fabrics, T-shirts and various other apparel applications.
The Mimaki Sb420 sublimation dye ink is specifically designed for use with pre-treated polyesters. The colour is fixed using heat after printing and printing on polyester with these inks delivers excellent colour accuracy and reproduction.
The Mimaki Tx300P-1800 printer can print directly onto almost any type of natural or man-made fabric and is ideally suited for thick and woven textiles. Its combination of affordable price, speed and high quality make it perfect for producing short runs or samples of customised or bespoke designs.
The Mimaki Tx300P-1800B printer uses an innovative automated belt-fed conveyance system making it particularly effective for printing on modern stretchable materials. With the capability to print to a broad range of natural and man-made fabrics this machine is ideal for the production of fashion, clothing and soft furnishing materials.
Mimaki expect the updated hybrid ink system for the Tx300P-1800 and Tx300P-1800B direct-to-textile printers to be commercially available in the summer of 2017.
