Mimaki USA Highlights New Technologies, Innovative Approaches

In a press conference held during the 2023 PRINTING United Expo, Josh Hope, senior manager, segment marketing, led attendees through an array of new technologies Mimaki USA developed and released to meet the changing needs of the textile and apparel, sign and graphics, and industrial printing spaces.

Josh Hope, senior manager, segment marketing with Mimaki USA.

Serving the Textile Space

New for textile production are two new  systems. The Tiger 600-1800TS, which Hope describes as a versatile machine for textile printing, offers high-capacity production in a footprint 60% smaller than similar machines previously released by the company. The machine lists at $139,000. About the new printer, Hope said, “I don’t think there’s anything else on the market at this price point.” The DTF TxF300-75 is a two-head version of Mimaki’s previously released Tx150 model, offering a 300% increase in speed, priced at $25,000. “It lends itself to high production,” Hope said.

Two additional systems for the textile space support water-based inkjet printing on a wide variety of substrates, which helps battle the growing realities of textile waste. “TRAPIS,” Mimaki’s textile pigment transfer printing system, consists of an enhanced TS330-1600 printer, utilizing a new platen heater and firmware. That system, used in cooperation with Texcol transfer paper from Coldenhove, uses a waterless process (and Mimaki’s TP410 inks) to effectively print on a wide range of natural fibers. Hope said the system could be used in the printing of home décor elements and for thicker textile materials.

Mimaki’s Neochromato inserts circularity in the the textile world, enabling sublimated textiles to be “de-sublimated,” enabling the reuse of textile media as many as 20 times. “It’s an amazing reverse technology,” Hope said. In response to a question about how sublimated textile will be cycled toward re-use, he said Mimaki has, “worked to figure out a solution. This is a beginning – the future has a great opportunity to develop [it].

Wide-Format Production Options

For the wide-format printing space, Mimaki announced two new output devices.

The ECJV330, a roll-to-roll printer, features LED-UV curing, and is 1.7 times faster than competitive machines. The new machine offers numerous production options including clear, gloss, white, multiple layer and double-sided printing capabilities. The machine will be available in November with a choice of 54 and 64 inch widths, starting at $29,999.

The UJV100-160 Plus, in addition to many standard functions, allows for three layer printing. Through the use of Rasterlink software, users can realize great color while also utilizing less ink. Hope said this machine is, “Less expensive to run – less power consumption – this machine will save people money.”
List price for the new unit is $17,844.

Mimaki also announced that certain prints produced on its equipment using 3M media products, will be included in the 3M Performance Guarantee, which guarantees inks will perform for a specified time.

Industrial Printing

Hope also introduced a new system, the Kebab HS, which is specifically designed for printing cylindrical containers. The new system can handle containers with a taper angle of up to 7.5 degrees and offers increased productivity. Hope says the new system is up to 400% faster than previous Kebab iterations.

Facilitating Production Management

Finally, Mimaki announced its new PICT workflow software (PICT stands for printer information communication technology). The software is a system that allows for the setting up of multiple machines, reporting data points including ink consumption, performance, and comparisons over time. Through an easy web interface, PICT can be used on tablets and mobile devices. “This is a free add-on for existing Mimaki customers,” Hope said. “They can make decisions based on metrics and facts.”

At the 2023 PRINTING United Expo, Mimaki and its new technologies can be found in booth C2831.