Mimaki introduces hybrid digital textile printer
Mimaki has introduced a new hybrid digital textile printer, the Tx300P-1800 MkII. It enables both direct-to-textile and transfer printing, with interchangeable platens and three different ink combinations – providing flexibility in a single system.
The Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII includes sublimation transfer printing its capabilities, enabling diverse applications from fashion textiles to interior fabrics and wallpaper within one system.
It brings benefits of digital print technology not attainable with analogue print methods still prevalent in the modern textile printing industry, including more cost-effective short runs, and faster turnarounds, benefits that make this technology ideal for sampling.
“We are delighted to be bringing the Tx300P-1800 MkII to FESPA this year to show customers exactly how game-changing it can be for their businesses,” senior marketing manager at Mimaki EMEA Danna Drion said.
“We are not only delivering an affordable, streamlined single-system solution for printing on both paper and textile, but we are also providing print service providers with the versatility to continue exploring different substrates and applications as they grow their businesses into the future. We anticipate a very bright future for digital printing in the textile industry and have no doubt that our new printer will have a role in realising this transition.”
The ability of the Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII to switch between direct-to-textile and transfer printing is enabled by its interchangeable platens. When printing direct-to-textile, excess ink penetrated through the fabric is drained by a platen with an ink-receiving channel. When printing on heat transfer paper however, this platen can be quickly and easily exchanged for a vacuum platen needed for paper printing – without the need for service engineers.
The hybrid printer is also able to facilitate either a traditional one-way ink set, configured with any one of five ink types, as well as various combinations of inks, providing unparalleled flexibility. Users are able to select from three different ink combinations – textile pigment/direct sublimation, textile pigment/sublimation transfer, or direct sublimation/sublimation transfer – to provide the best results across various applications.
Mimaki Australia national marketing manager Brad Creighton said there had been significant amounts of interest in the new machine in Australia, particularly from artists who want to reproduce their designs on different fabrics.