Mimaki has announced another large format textile printer, the TX300P-1800B, a 1.8m wide direct to fabric machine aimed at the apparel industry.
The printer is fitted with a belt that helps to flatten the media, together a crumple-free roller and paste roller. Consequently it can print directly to a range of fabrics, including bulky textured materials, as well as sheer fabric and stretchy materials such as knits. The head height can be adjusted to take account of thick, woven or fabrics with ‘raised’ fibres.
It can produce up to 50 sqm/hr, and has a maximum resolution of 1440 dpi. There’s a Nozzle Control Unit to automatically detect and recover clogged nozzles with reduced wastage. The inks are supplied in two-litre packs to support continuous printing with reduced operating costs.
It can be used with Mimaki’s TP400 textile pigment inks without needing any further steaming or washing, though it should be used with a binder or primer for best results. This will work with a wide variety of textile types such as polyester, cotton, silk, viscose, rayon and wool.
There are four other types of ink that can be used with this printer: Sb420 Sublimation Dye ink for polyester-based textiles, either direct to fabric or to a sublimation paper for transfer by heat press; Dd400 Dispersion Dye ink for high light-fastness and good build-up on polyester and micro-polyester; Rc400 Reactive Dye Ink, suitable for printing on natural fibres, such as cotton, silk and wool, which meets high automotive light-fastness standards but does require pre- / post-treatment of the fabrics to prevent fading and bleeding of colour; and Ac400 Acid Dye Ink which also needs pre- / post-treatment of the fabric.
There’s a waveform control function that can alter the jetting for the different types of ink so that each can be optimised according to its own specific gravity and viscosity, for precise placement of ink droplets onto the fabric.
It’s mainly aimed at the growing demand for online shopping, which has brought with it the opportunity for bespoke personalized garments as well as short runs and product samples.
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