Mimaki adds new digital option for textile printing

Mimaki has further expanded its range of solutions for textile printing with the launch of the Mimaki Tx300P-1800B, a textile printer that it said will serve as an entry-level option to users.

The 1.8m-wide machine can print at speeds of up to 50sq m/hr and achieve print resolution as high as 1440dpi. Users will have the ability to print on thick, woven or raised fabric textiles, with high head gap options preventing head strikes.

The new device also features a ‘crumple-free roller’ and ‘paste roller’ on the belt conveyance system, which the manufacturer said will reduce both crumpled and bending of textiles. In addition, a nozzle control unit will automatically detect and recover clogged nozzles to help boost print quality and reduce waste.

Mike Horsten, general manager marketing of Mimaki EMEA, said: “As consumers increasingly turn to the internet for their shopping needs, we believe they will want to regularly create custom designs and not rely solely on standard designs available in retail outlets.

“In addition to the need to cost-effectively produce samples and small runs, enterprising garment makers will be looking for solutions that will help them meet this emerging consumer demand. And they will not want their fabric types to be as limited as they are with many digital textile printing solutions today.

“That’s exactly what the Mimaki Tx300P-1800B belt-type printer was designed to do. Furthermore, while offering a complete set of textile inks, the TP400 textile pigment ink allows customers to produce small runs in-house without the need of steaming or washing.”

Mimaki will be offering the new machine with a number of ink options, such as TP400 textile pigment inks, which eliminate the need for steaming or washing when printing, which in turn will reduce the space required for on-demand textile printing.

Mimaki will also offer Sb420 Sublimation Dye Ink for polyester-based textiles, either direct-to-fabric or to a sublimation paper for transfer to the fabric by a heat press. Meanwhile, Mimaki said Dd400 Dispersion Dye Ink delivers “high lightfastness and outstanding build-up” on polyester and micro-polyester for applications such as sportswear and home textiles.

Also on offer is Rc400 Reactive Dye Ink, suitable for printing on more natural fibres such s cotton, silk and wool, while Ac400 Acid Dye Ink offers a similar option to Reactive Dye Inks, in that pre-/post-treatment of the fabric is needed, but the ink will be able to produce bright and deep colours in print.