Mimaki USA, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutters, has announced the availability of its TX300P-1800B direct-to-textile printer featuring an advanced belt transport system to ensure stable feeding of stretchy and thin fabrics. The 74-inch-wide TX300P-1800B direct-to-fabric printer includes many features found in high-end direct-print models, said the OEM. It was designed specifically for direct-to-textile applications and is suitable for users who need to create samples or short-run pieces. The printer includes new printheads with a high gap setting that maintain accurate ink droplet placement and enable printing on thick or thin textiles, dimensionally unstable fabrics, woven patterns or raised fibre surfaces. Its Mimaki original inks are specifically designed for exceptional colour reproduction onto natural or synthetic fibres for producing fashion textiles, performance sportswear, interior décor, flags, banners and more.
Advanced belt transport system. This model utilizes an advanced textile feeding and conveyance mechanism – including rear tension bars as well as a sticky belt that ensures stable and high quality textile printing and transportation. The printer also uses an embedded belt washing mechanism and belt-feed compensation to clean the belt and stabilize the image quality.
Five ink types. Mimaki original textile inks are optimized for the new printer. These purpose-developed products deliverer the consistency and reliability essential for the production of the highest quality direct-to-fabric products, said the company. Sb420 (direct-to-fabric dye sublimation), Ac400 (acid dye), Rc400 (reactive dye), Tp400 (textile pigment) and Dd400 (disperse dye) are all Mimaki original textile inks designed to suit specific fabric characteristics (thus ensuring exceptional colour reproduction on either natural or synthetic fibres) for producing fashion textiles, performance sportswear, interior décor, flags, banners, and more. Dye sublimation, textile pigment, reactive dye, and acid dye inks will be available at the time of the new printer’s release. Mimaki added that Disperse dye inks are planned for future release.
Dual-ink capability. The TX300P-1800B printer, along with its sister product, the TX300P-1800 (without belt), can accommodate two different inks in one printer. This dual-ink capability gives users the ability to print onto natural materials with textile pigment inks (Tp400) or on polyester materials with sublimation dye inks (Sb420) using only one printer. Since neither Tp400 nor the Sb420 inks require a steaming and washing process – resulting in an environmentally friendly production (i.e. less water usage) – this configuration simplifies the textile production process and is ideal for designers, fabric workshops, education and research institutions as well as entrepreneurs. Dual-ink capability is expected to be available in the summer of 2017 for both models. Mimaki Canada is located in Concord, Ontario.
Mimaki unveils TX300P-1800B direct-to-textile printer
