• Developing prototypes for footwear brands previously took over a month from order placement to delivery, slowing the design process and delaying feedback. With the Mimaki 3DUJ-553, this timeline has been reduced to just one to two days, enabling rapid design iterations. This accelerated workflow allows designers to make modifications and produce multiple prototypes quickly, resulting in more refined and innovative product development.

Throughout the footwear design process, prototypes are a critical step in bringing shoes from concept to reality – but until now the step has been slow and costly. That’s where Mimaki comes in. Launched in 1975, the Japan-based digital printer manufacturer has become an innovator in helping leading footwear brands expedite their design process with full-colour 3D printing.

The samples created by Mimaki are sturdy, purpose-built prototypes, featuring up to 10 million different colours and express a variety of textures from the Adobe Substance texture library. From shoelaces to the outer sole, the prototypes help brands get a hyper-realistic mock-up for their next big launch.

Importantly, the realism does not come at the cost of speed. The Mimaki 3DUJ-553 full-colour 3D printer can print a full-sized footwear prototype in under one day, making it easy for brands to assess their prototype, make changes and create another 3D model, ultimately saving brands months during the often long design process.

Michael Sickels, 3D specialist of global marketing group at Mimaki Engineering, sat down with Fairchild Studios to explain the process behind printing 3D prototypes, how the company is expediting the typical timeline of designing, the impact of 3D printing beyond just the footwear industry and more.

Fairchild Studio: In your own words, how would you describe Mimaki?

Michael Sickels: The Mimaki Group is a development-driven group of companies that provide integrated services through the development, manufacturing, sales and maintenance of products such as industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters and inks. Our development history began in 1987 with our first drafting plotter.

In 1996, we debuted our first inkjet printer and now have models applying ink down to 3 picoliters. To put that in perspective, there are 1 trillion picoliters in a liter — the human eye cannot see it.

In 2017, Mimaki took all those colourful years of high-performance inkjet development and brought it to 3D. The 3DUJ-553, an industrial full-colour 3D inkjet printer, was born. Although this was our first 3D printer, we were able to leverage our extensive experience with ink jetting to bring unparalleled colour and detail expression to 3D printing.

Fairchild Studio: In what ways is Mimaki’s full-colour 3D printer an asset to footwear designers and students throughout the design process?

M.S.: Mimaki’s full-colour 3D printers add value to the design process in the form of speed, creativity and ease of integration. Having the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 in the design room or design school removes the need to order early, nonfunctional prototypes to be made at a factory. That cuts months from the design process.

The 3DUJ-553 can print in 10 million colours and can print shapes and patterns that are difficult to conventionally produce. Lastly, the 3DUJ-553 can print 3D models made using industry-standard software whether it is Adobe Substance, Rhino, ZBrush, Modo or Autodesk.

No significant changes are required to your current workflow, you are gaining the ability to turn your wonderful, detailed designs into ones you can hold and feel in your hands.

Fairchild Studio: How does the ability to print highly realistic prototypes within a day impact the typical timeline of a footwear design project?

M.S.: Traditionally, footwear designers send tech packs to factories — usually in Asia — to have prototypes made. From order to prototype delivery, it can take easily over a month before a physical prototype is in the hands of a designer for expert appraisal. If there are any major changes, another prototype needs to be ordered, which will eat up more of that already scarce time in the product development cycle.

Imagine this: You install a full-colour 3D printer in the design room and rapidly produce the prototypes in-house. The Mimaki 3DUJ-553 can print a visually realistic men’s size 9 shoe in under a day. Footwear designers can then appraise the print, make changes to the 3D model data and then print again. A process that normally takes months can be condensed into a few weeks, with all the magic happening in your own workplace.

Fairchild Studio: How does Mimaki’s integration with industry-standard software like Adobe Substance enhance the functionality and user experience?

M.S.: There are two areas where functionality and the user experience are enhanced. Firstly, full-colour printing on the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 is compatible with all the major 3D data formats that include colour — .obj, .ply, .wrl and .3mf. A designer can continue using their favorite 3D modeling software. Once the printer is installed and basic printer training is given, designers can begin full-colour 3D printing of their designs quickly.

Secondly, the 3DUJ-553 can express your designs in a life-like quality. Not only can the printer express 10 million colours (including clear), but each layer of the model can be printed as thin as 20 micrometers. Imagine slicing your design into 20-micrometer layers from top to bottom, that is how fine the detail can get. Thanks to these features, the denim, mesh, leather or nylon you have on your shoe design will look like the real thing on your physical 3D print.

Adobe Substance, which is gaining wide adoption in the industry, is a great way to capitalize on this. Adobe Substance gives designers access to a library of thousands of realistic materials — even allowing you to scan your own — which can be dragged and dropped onto different parts of the footwear 3D model. The designer can then print the design and assess a visually realistic physical prototype. Imagination is the only limit.

Fairchild Studio: How do the features of the Mimaki 3D printer align with the specific needs of footwear designers looking to enhance creativity and innovation in their design process?

M.S.: Mimaki full-colour 3D printing gives footwear designers access to quality rapid prototyping with confidence without the need for major changes to workflow. These benefits enhance creativity.

To illustrate this, imagine a designer thinking: “I haven’t tried this material/style/colour before. It might not work but I’d like to see it. With a Mimaki 3DUJ-553, why not give it a try? You can have the life-like prototype in your hand in a day or two”. In this way, the convenience and quality factor increase a designer’s creative freedom.

Fairchild Studio: Beyond footwear, how else is the company’s 3D printer able to create valuable prototypes in the merchandise and accessories market?

M.S.: The 3DUJ-553 works well with 3D CAD, CG and 3D scan software. Professionals in various industries have been able to apply our 3D technology to their specialized needs. For example, the colour expression and precision of our 3D printers have found a home in the figurine and scale model industries.

Our printers are being used to prototype figure designs and even produce figures or models for sale to end customers. Our printers also work well with 3D scan data. A few companies have been using special 3D scanning equipment to scan people, pets and other memorabilia for full-colour printing on the 3DUJ-553. Drones have even been used to scan buildings and towns to create 3D data to be later printed.

In the medical industry, we have some customers using the 3DUJ-553 to print highly detailed and accurate medical models. CT and MRI data can be used in this way. Architectural and construction firms have also shown interest in full-colour 3D printing for analysis of designs as well as for use in presentations to customers and communities.

In these ways, a broad range of industries are finding value in our technology and I truly want our full-colour 3D printing (and additive manufacturing as a whole) to become common knowledge. I want more people to know that these amazing things are possible today.

Fairchild Studio: How do you see the future of footwear design evolving through innovations and speed of 3D printing and prototyping?

M.S.: 3D modeling is going to increasingly become the way to design footwear. It offers designers so much more convenience and freedom in their creativity. Given that 3D printing goes hand in hand with 3D modeling and that 3D printers have achieved a high level of print quality, it is only natural that there will be increased adoption.

I have been told by several designers that nothing beats having a prototype that you can hold and feel in your hands. Physical prototypes are not going anywhere. 3D modeling and 3D printing will shorten the time from idea to design as well as give designers more flexibility. For these reasons, I believe that 3D is going to continue to revolutionize footwear design going forward.

Mimaki will have a booth at the Formnext convention in Frankfurt, Germany on November 19-22. Everyone is invited to stop by to check out the full-colour footwear samples and ask any questions in-person!

The post How Mimaki’s Full Colour 3D Printer is Revolutionising the Footwear Design Process appeared first on Mimaki Europe.

• Mimaki’s booth will feature applications made by students, companies and creatives using the 3DUJ Series, including Creapole Design School, Joao Teixeiria and Taketo Kobayashi

• The company will also spotlight its various initiatives created to encourage the next generation to experiment with full-colour 3D printing

Amsterdam, 30 October 2024

Mimaki Europe, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, announces its participation at Formnext 2024 (19 – 22 November, Frankfurt, Germany). As pioneers of full-colour 3D printing, Mimaki will showcase its 3D printing portfolio at its booth (Hall 12.1, Booth E59) and demonstrate its vast potential across multiple industries through various applications from companies and creatives across the world.

In disciplines such as design, engineering, medical and the arts, Mimaki’s full-colour 3DUJ Series allows users to create realistic, intricate prototypes, art pieces and models. This innovative technology is already installed in businesses across the world, but Mimaki is also actively supporting universities and other educational facilities to bring the benefits of colour 3D printing to their students.

“We want the next generation to fully explore the possibilities of incorporating full-colour 3D printing into product design, creative processes and education. To do so, it’s important to integrate 3D printing into the curriculum,” comments Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales at Mimaki Europe. “This is why Mimaki introduced ‘Academy Pack’, which gives registered educational facilities a discount of up to 40% off the purchase price of a new 3DUJ-2207 printer. What better way to learn than having hands-on experience within institutions, providing students with practical, future-facing skills applicable across industries.”

Mimaki’s 3D UV-curable inkjet printers, the 3DUJ-553 and 3DUJ-2207, offer the ability to print in over 10 million colours and utilise clear, translucent ink. These attributes enable students to experiment with complex vibrant designs and visual effects, improving their understanding of material properties and product aesthetics.

Mimaki also supports initiatives that enable students to access colour 3D printing outside of the classroom. Earlier this year, Mimaki, Adobe and Creapole Design School in Paris teamed up to reproduce product design students’ footwear designs as tangible 3D printed models as part of a three-day workshop. Created utilising Adobe 3D Substance Collection software and printed by the 3DUJ-553, some of these designs will be on display at Mimaki’s Formnext booth this year.

Mastering the Art of 3D Printing: Creating Detailed Figurines and Prototypes

Mimaki’s 3DUJ Series is also an excellent tool for creating figurines and prototypes, offering unmatched detail and vibrant, realistic colours.

Due to the precision and broad colour capabilities of the 3DUJ Series, this technology is ideal for the creation of detailed prototypes that closely replicate the final product. Printing in accurate colours is particularly useful for automotive prototyping, where seeing internal components or creating visual effects is crucial. The 3DUJ Series’ water-soluble support material simplifies post-processing, preserving intricate features, and its advanced colour profiling ensures that prototypes match the design. These features allow for highly realistic models that can be satisfactorily evaluated, before moving to mass production.

Through Joao Teixeiria’s module furniture, which will be on display on the Mimaki Formnext stand, visitors will be able to see Mimaki’s 3DUJ Series’ capabilities in product prototyping first-hand.

Bringing characters and creatures to life, the 3DUJ Series can also produce figurines and sculptures with intricate textures, gradients, and true-to-life skin tones. The option to print in clear or translucent materials adds dynamic effects, ideal for representing elements like magical auras, water, or transparent armour. With layer thickness as fine as 19 microns, the 3DUJ printers ensure that even the smallest details – like facial expressions and armour engravings or textures – are captured with precision.

Evertse adds, “It’s always so inspiring for us to see how our customers utilise Mimaki’s full-colour 3D printing technology, no matter the sector or application. We are excited to showcase so many different eye-catching and colourful 3D printing applications at Formnext this year, varying from more traditional and visually stunning applications, such as sculptures and fashion accessories, to the more experimental and unusual, like an augmented reality piano and highly accurate insect models. I’m sure with all of these clever and colourful creations, visitors to the show will not be able to walk by the Mimaki stand without wanting to take a closer look!”

Futuristic shoe designs by Creapole Design School students brought to life using Mimaki’s 3DUJ-553

One of two vibrant sculptures by visual artist Taketo Kobayashi to debut at Formnext 2024

The post Mimaki Europe to Showcase Capabilities of Full-Colour 3D Printing by Partnering with Students and Creatives at Formnext 2024 appeared first on Mimaki Europe.

Mimaki Bompan Textile (MBTex) at IBF 2024

How did a team of print manufacturers turn into cycling competitors, racing across 80-kilometres of the picturesque Romagna hinterland?

In September 2024, Mimaki Bompan Textile took on the challenge to ride alongside thousands of cycling enthusiasts and participate in the 2024 edition of the Italian Bike Festival (IBF) in Misano Adriatico (Rimini), a leading event for cycling and other outdoor sports. A platform where the latest innovations in biking, sports apparel, and accessories are showcased and put to the test, IBF proved a great opportunity for Mimaki Bompan Textile to directly engage with a key sector.

With sports apparel and accessories both key sectors for our company, we were able not only to pedal our way to the finish line, but also forge meaningful relationships, understand industry challenges, and stay ahead of evolving trends. All in all, for us attending events like IBF is about staying connected to the racing heartbeat of the sportswear market.

Working in Tandem

A notable benefit of shows like IBF is that, unlike larger, more general trade shows, they allow for more bespoke interactions with key players in the sports sector. This smaller but more specialised event provided a unique setting for Mimaki Bompan Textile to build authentic relationships, fostering collaborations and partnerships that will drive future business growth.

As the only plotter manufacturer in attendance, IBF provided a moment for Mimaki Bompan Textile to connect with potential partners, customers, and innovators. This setting made it easier to engage in meaningful conversations, understand the needs of the market, and identify new opportunities, ensuring that Mimaki Bompan Textile, with it’s cutting edge technology in the sublimation as well as in the dtf market, is moving forward step by step – or pedal by pedal! – with key players in the sector.

Mimaki Bompan Textile being represented at IBF 2024

Mimaki Bompan Textile being represented at IBF 2024

Bicycle suit printed by Mimaki Bompan Textile

Innovating from the Track, not from the Stands

The minute we stepped foot in the festival, we found ourselves face to face with grassroots innovation. We were able to engage directly with users—whether they were cycling enthusiasts, apparel designers, or small business owners—which enabled us to gain real-time insights into the challenges and needs of the market. This immediate feedback is essential for developing user-centred improvements to the printers themselves.

Thanks to those conversations, we are now able to leverage these user-driven changes to refine our textile printing solutions and ensure that the company remains at the forefront of industry trends as an active player and not just a spectator in the sports textile world.

Staying ahead of the pack

At Mimaki Bompan Textile we love to take on challenges – whether with our customers or in our own print room. And when it comes to sportswear, we are firmly on the right track. IBF 2024 has given Mimaki Bompan Textile a chance to reaffirm its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and stay at the forefront of the sports apparel market – and shape what we will wear. Transfer printing technology is our ace card, and it could be yours too. So, gear up for the future and transfer your way to the finish line and don’t forget to select your most suitable printing solution among the Mimaki line up!

The post Gear up for the future of sportswear with digital textile innovations appeared first on Mimaki Europe.

For decades, polyester has been the cornerstone of the textile printing industry. Its compatibility with the digital sublimation process — a cost-effective, simple technology — has driven exponential growth in polyester printing. However, the very characteristics that make polyester well suited for sublimation printing render this printing technique unsuitable for other types of fabric, such as cotton and some blended fibres, leaving a significant gap in the market.

This gap was, until recently, partially filled by direct-to-textile printing. However, this method requires substantial initial investments in equipment and heavily relies on the time- and resource-consuming pre- and post-processing of fabrics to ensure colourfastness, colour accuracy, and compatibility with different substrates. Consequently, a need arose for a more cost effective and sustainable solution that could cater to a wider range of fabrics.

Bridging the Gap: The Birth of TRAPIS

In response to this demand for sustainable fabric printing methods, Mimaki spent six years developing a breakthrough technology, TRAPIS, a simple two-step textile transfer printing solution, consisting of only an inkjet printer and a high-pressure calender. The design of choice is printed by the inkjet printer onto the company’s groundbreaking Texcol^® pigment ink transfer paper. This is then transferred to the application via the calender.

Entirely removing the treatment stages means that printing on non-polyester materials has gone from an expensive and time-consuming task to one that is simple, cost-efficient and more sustainable.

Ideal for home textiles and soft signage which often require vivid colours but varied materials, this technology gives printers the ability to print on a wide range of materials, including natural fibres like cotton and silk without losing stretchability or colourfastness. All this can be done with just one type of ink, making the process flexible and adaptable to print customer demands. 

Mimaki TS330-1600

Broadening the textile application possibilities for print service providers, the system can print on a wide range of materials, including natural fibres

Mimaki’s TRAPIS solution provides a simple, environmentally friendly two-step process, consisting of an inkjet printer and a calender

A Bright Future: The Environmental Benefits of TRAPIS

The pre-treatment and washing of the fabric is often needed in the traditional method of digital dye printing, producing a significant amount of wastewater in the process. TRAPIS eliminates those stages altogether and is almost entirely waterless, saving around 14.5 litres per square metre of water, an almost 90% decrease in comparison to digital dye printing¹. This reduces water consumption, and as a result, helps the entire printing process’s environmental footprint.

Additionally, this eliminates the need for wastewater treatment facilities, which can be both expensive and constrictive when it comes to where the solution is installed.

This is in stark contrast to traditional methods which generate a staggering 2 billion tonnes of wastewater every day from pre- and post-dyeing processes worldwide approximately². TRAPIS’ water saving abilities will make a significant contribution to reducing a print provider’s environmental impact. Furthermore, with its simplified printing workflow, the complex and CO₂ emission-heavy overseas transportation of textile products is eliminated, and the carbon footprint is reduced.

Mimaki’s bespoke Textile Pigment Ink that accompanies the solution has achieved the ZDHC MRSL Lv.3³ certification and is bluesign® APPROVED, verifying that these are eco-friendly inks, as well as ensuring that it is safe for both workers and consumers.

Offering a Simple Solution

TRAPIS’ simplicity and affordability also make it ideal for localised, short-run textile production. As the process only involves printing and transferring, it does not require specialised skills to operate when compared to the more complex seven- or eight-step system needed by most digital and analogue conventional printing. The lack of a fabric conveyor belt in the system further minimises the need for time-intensive maintenance.

By simplifying the digital textile printing process, compatible with a wide range of textiles, the TRAPIS solution is an innovation that helps to set the pace for a more sustainable practices in the textile industry, while offering an unmatched range of creative possibilities.

[1] According to Mimaki’s original research, digital dye printing generates significant amount of wastewater by textile printing conveyor belt washing and fabric washing after dye fixation (steam).

[2] Based on Mimaki’s own research

[3] ZDHC is a non-profit organization based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that works to eliminate the emission of hazardous substances in the textile and leather industry.

The post Mimaki’s Textile Pigment Transfer Printing Solution “TRAPIS” Ushers in a Sustainable Future appeared first on Mimaki Europe.

Business owners and printer operators will be familiar with the spinning plate nature of a print shop. Constantly keeping track of ink levels, maintenance status, and printing results are just some of the many jobs people in these positions face daily. PICT software is Mimaki cloud technology, and it offers a slick, simple, one-stop shop for monitoring all the Mimaki printers in your fleet, giving you control and oversight of all the important information.

Make Sure All Your Prints are PICT’d Up with Mimaki’s Software

Mimaki’s Printer Information Cloud Technology (PICT) offers an advanced solution for optimising Mimaki customers’ print operations and production management. PICT boasts several key features such as Remote Monitoring, Grouped Management, Data Precision and Ink Efficiency and Maintenance. Compatible with a vast amount of Mimaki devices, it is an excellent tool for monitoring your Mimaki fleet, providing real-time data and insights into printing operations, allowing you to optimise the print processes, reduce costs, and make more informed business decisions.

Mimaki Cloud Technology is available across a wide variety of the brand’s wide format printers, including: the UJV100-160Plus, JV330 Series, UCJV330 Series, CJV330 Series, JFX600-2513, UJF-7151 plusII, UJF-6042MkII e, UJF-3042MkII EX e, UJF-3042MkII e, Tiger600-1800TS, TS330-1600, TxF300-75, TxF150-75 and the CFX Series.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

PICT software is all about simplifying the print process, and it begins with an easy setup and installation. To get started, visit the Mimaki PICT Cloud service website and create an account. Once signed in, download the PICT UP application and install it on a Windows 10 or 11 PC that is running RasterLink7, or on a separate PC within the same network. Connect your printers via LAN and register them in the PICT UP application, where they will automatically appear in the cloud service. However, you can print from RasterLink7, Mimaki’s RIP software via LAN or USB.

PICT is also compatible with iOS and Android. Simply use your mobile browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari) to navigate to the PICT Cloud service website and log in so that you can monitor and manage your printers remotely. This cross-device compatibility combined with PICT’s real-time visualisation feature ensures you receive updates on the operational status of all your printers every 5 minutes; providing control and insight into your printing operations from anywhere, anytime.

Once installed on your PC, you are ready to explore the benefits of PICT software and notice real changes in how you can manage your fleet. PICT offers enhanced data precision, capturing detailed data on printer operations and ink usage. This level of precision supports informed decision-making and efficient resource management, helping you to optimise your printing processes and reduce waste. Efficient group management is another standout feature, allowing you to group printers based on custom criteria. This makes it easier to manage and oversee multiple printers, which is particularly beneficial for organisations with large-scale printing operations.

PICT Workflow

PICT ink monitoring

Printer list overview

PICT in office

PICT in action

PICT also helps in proactive maintenance and ink management by providing insights into ink levels and maintenance needs. Keeping track of ink usage is also simplified through PICT’s ink management features. By providing insights into ink levels and maintenance needs, operators can plan and manage ink inventory effectively, minimising downtime and ensuring your printers are always ready for production. Additionally, the cost control and analysis capabilities of PICT are invaluable. It offers detailed visualisations of ink consumption and costs over specified periods, helping you manage your budget more effectively and identify areas where cost savings can be achieved. On top of this, PICT is also able to offer ink usage projections for the current and upcoming months, helping prevent out-of-stock situations and ensuring uninterrupted production.

PICT’s features keep you in control of the entire printing timeline. It’s detailed historical data and statuses like cumulative operating time, utilisation rates, daily and periodic ink usage, number of prints and print area/length can keep track of your printing past. You can set up event notifications to receive email alerts for key events such as print completion, stoppages and cancellations, keeping you informed about the status of your current print jobs. At the same time, the previously mentioned ink projection looks after the future of your printing fleet, meaning PICT provides complete round-the-clock monitoring of your printers.

Putting Operators on Cloud Nine

PICT’s blend of advanced features and practical benefits makes it an indispensable tool for any organisation looking to streamline its print operations, enhance efficiency and achieve greater control over production costs. By integrating PICT into your workflow, you can ensure that your Mimaki printers operate at their best, providing you with the data and insights needed to maintain a competitive edge in the printing industry.

The post Sit Back and Watch the Cloud: How Mimaki’s PICT Software is Making Life Easier for Print Operators appeared first on Mimaki Europe.

The latest Mimaki printers respond to market demand for high-quality, high-speed and versatile solutions in the sign graphic, textile and industrial markets

Two of the new solutions will be demonstrated for the first time at The Print Show in the UK

Mimaki Europe, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, has today announced four new printers for sign graphic, industrial and textile applications. The CJV200 Series, a range of roll-to-roll print and cut eco-solvent machines, and the TS330-3200DS, a hybrid direct and transfer sublimation printer, will both be demonstrated for the first time in Europe at The Print Show (September 17-19th, NEC Birmingham, UK). These two technologies, alongside an entry-level flatbed UV printer, the JFX200-1213 EX, and Mimaki’s latest direct-to-film (DTF) solution, the TxF300-1600, will be commercially available in Europe in November 2024, and have been developed with new features, print formats and higher speeds to support customers ready to expand and futureproof their business

“At Mimaki, we are committed to driving innovation that meets the evolving needs of our customers and also anticipates future trends in the printing industry,” comments Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales at Mimaki Europe. “These four new printers were created to offer the industry new ways to expand and diversify print businesses with the confidence a high-quality, highly efficient Mimaki solution provides.

“Meeting various different challenges across the markets we serve, the CJV200 Series and the JFX200-1213 EX offer a stepping stone to businesses entering the sign graphic market, bolstering their production capabilities or looking to add new large format applications to their offering. The new TS330-3200DS and TxF300-1600 provide the flexibility, quality and productivity customers need to attract new business across the textile sector, enabling them to expand their application portfolios or seamlessly sidestep into new markets. We are confident that the availability of all four of these new technologies later this year will be highly anticipated by printers across the industry who are looking to take their businesses to the next level, whether that be in productivity, capacity, or application range.”

CJV200 Series: Simplicity and Stability

Using the same print engine as the 330 Series, the CJV200 Series is Mimaki’s new range of entry-level eco-solvent integrated printer/cutters. Designed to be more accessible for printers of varying levels of experience to operate and maintain, the model is equipped with several features to improve ease of use. These include an “ink saving function” that reduces ink consumption, a quicker print-head cleaning time and Mimaki’s Dot Adjustment System (DAS), which automatically completes bi-directional print and media feed adjustments, simplifying media changes and reducing operator errors.

With a high practical print speed of 17 m²/h, the CJV200 boasts one of the highest productivity levels for an entry-level printer and is able to handle seasonal variations in output volume. For improved efficiency and stability, the printer is equipped with Mimaki’s core technologies, including the Mimaki Advanced Pass System (MAPS4) to reduce banding and uneven colours, as well as the Nozzle Recovery System (NRS) to minimise downtime.

The CJV200 Series uses Mimaki’s new SS22 eco-solvent ink, which will be released alongside the printer. This safety-conscious ink does not contain increasingly regulated ingredients such as GBL. Building on the success of the SS21 ink, it has achieved the industry’s highest level of outdoor weather resistance and comes in an environmentally friendly paper cartridge.

TS330-3200DS: Versatility for Soft Signage and Home Textiles

The TS330-3200DS is a 3.2-metre-wide hybrid printer, capable of both direct sublimation printing on fabric and sublimation transfer printing on paper. This dual capability allows users to choose the most suitable printing method based on the fabric and the application, making it an excellent choice for both soft signage and home textile markets.

With its increased width and dual modes, the TS330-3200DS supports a wide range of applications. In addition to producing vibrant, large-format fabric signs, it can also be used to print interior fabrics like curtains, carpets, and bedspreads. The hybrid nature of the TS330-3200DS allows seamless switching between direct fabric printing and sublimation transfer printing, which is easily achieved by attaching or removing a platen.

This printer is equipped with Mimaki’s latest 330 Series engine and is capable of printing up to 150 m²/h at a print resolution of 600 dpi. Whether for short-run productions or high-mix orders, the TS330-3200DS ensures high-quality results in a short amount of time, making it a versatile tool for today’s fast-paced textile industry.

JFX200-1213 EX: High Productivity in a More Compact Size

The JFX200-1213 EX is an entry-level flatbed UV inkjet printer designed to meet the needs of businesses seeking a mid-size printing solution. With a print area of 1.2 m x 1.3 m, the printer’s size sits between Mimaki’s smaller-format UJF Series and the larger-format JFX Series. Despite being approximately 30% smaller than the popular JFX200-2513 EX model, the JFX200-1213 EX delivers the same superior image quality with resolutions of up to 1,200 dpi.

The JFX200-1213 EX can print within international A0 standards, adding to its versatility and making it an ideal solution for industrial customers who do not need to produce larger-scale items. It also benefits sign makers with limited installation space, allowing them to produce poster-size general-purpose signs and graphic panels effectively.

Offering a maximum print speed of 25 m²/h, the JFX200-1213 EX is also well-suited for businesses looking to scale up their production from smaller flatbed printers to a larger machine. Additionally, the JFX200-1213 EX supports six-colour ink sets for a wide colour gamut and enhanced image quality.

TxF300-1600: Higher Productivity in Custom Fashion and Interior Fabrics

The TxF300-1600, the latest addition to Mimaki’s Direct-to-Film (DTF) line of printers, is designed to meet the growing demand for high-productivity custom fashion and interior fabric printing. This latest model increases productivity by an impressive 30% compared to the TxF300-75. With a maximum print width of 1.6 metres, the TxF300-1600 is not only ideal for custom garment printing but also extends its application to large-scale interior fabrics, such as curtains and floor mats.

The TxF300-1600 incorporates Mimaki’s core technologies to ensure stable and uninterrupted operation. Furthermore, the printer uses inks that are OEKO-TEX® ECO-PASSPORT certified, meeting the stringent criteria for chemical safety and environmental responsibility.

Additionally, Mimaki announces the EMEA launch of the CFX Series, a range of high-end flatbed cutting plotters previewed during FESPA 2024. Now including a router option, the CFX Series enables precise cutting of commonly used materials within signage, such as acrylic and aluminium composite boards.

Mimaki’s TS330-3200DS dual capabilites allows it to offer both direct sublimation printing on fabric and sublimation transfer printing on paper

The CJV200-75 is one of the latest innovations from Mimaki’s print and cut, eco-solvent CJV200 Series

The flatbed UV printer, the JFX200-1213EX, offers a smaller size that doesn’t limit the applications possible for sign graphic and industrial printers

The TxF300-1600 is the latest in Mimaki’s successful DTF series of printers

The post Mimaki Unveils Four New Printers Developed to Enable Print Businesses to Expand, Diversify and Stay Ahead of Market Trends appeared first on Mimaki Europe.

By Marc Verbeem, Supervisor Product Management, Mimaki Europe

Since launching the first UV printer with white ink in 2004, Mimaki has consistently pioneered the development of innovative UV-LED technology. Our range of UV printers grew as recently as September last year, with the introduction of the UCJV330-160 and the UJV100-160Plus. In this blog, Marc Verbeem will detail how using UV-LED printing, you are not only upgrading the quality of the print but also meeting sustainability targets the entire industry is striving towards.

Better, faster and for longer

Striking, high-resolution prints are naturally the number one priority for any printer in any industry, and a switch to UV can not only elevate your designs but also expand your printing possibilities. Our new printers add gloss, matte, or other textured finishes during the printing process through layered printing functions, giving designs an almost 3D effect. As well as this, UV inks dry instantly, without any smudging or colour bleeding, leaving you with a print that not only boasts vivid, photo-realistic image quality but is ready for use immediately.

The removal of the drying process drastically increases the production speed, something that is crucial when keeping up with increased demand. According to Keypoint Intelligence’s research, over 60% of large format print jobs in the sign industry require turnaround times of less than 24 hours.[1]. Having a UV printer will help supply keep up with demand, and also save money in investing in additional printers to do so.

UV printing is incredibly versatile, with the ability to be applied to a wide range of traditionally hard-to-print surfaces, such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, wood and more. This is a massive advantage in the luxury packaging industry, where bottles and containers can be irregular shapes and be made of a variety of materials. Another advantage of UV, in comparison to traditional methods, is the durability of the inks. UV inks are more resistant to scratches, fading and abrasion, which makes them particularly suitable for outdoor applications, for example, car wrapping.

Leaving your mark in print, not on the planet

While the immediate focus of printers is providing high quality prints to customers, there is an underlying long-term goal to make the industry more sustainable. By using UV-LED, you can make significant reductions in your waste and carbon emissions, while improving the quality of your print.

As mentioned previously, there is no curing and drying process with UV, which subsequently means there is no accompanying curing heater. By removing this part of the process, you can reduce energy consumption by 90%, thus significantly reducing your carbon footprint.

Another way that UV-LED printing is more sustainable is through use of waterless inks. There is a myth that water-based inks are better for the environment, however, health and safety data show that 35% of chemical make up in latex inks, for example, are harmful and toxic to humans and the environment. The drying process consumes more power because evaporating the remaining 65% of water requires significant heat. Water is the most valuable resource on the planet, the less we use the better and so using waterless inks is a fantastic way to reduce the amount of water we use.

Not only does UV-LED printing use less water and energy, but it also produces less waste. Traditional thermal print heads for latex printing need replacing regularly, however, UV printing uses Piezo electric print heads which have much longer durability. These print heads do not suffer thermal stress like thermal print heads do, which means they experience less degradation and also provide a more stable print quality. Over the lifetime of the printer (approximately five to seven years if well maintained), with a Piezo print head, you will only go through two to three print heads. When you compare this to thermal print heads, which you may need to replace over fifty times in a two-year period, UV-LED will not only save on money spent on print heads but also significantly reduce waste.

Printers seeking to create stunning prints across various sectors and applications while aligning with their own and their customers’ environmental objectives will find UV-LED printing an ideal fit. This innovative and reliable technology offers a safe pair of hands to ensure both your prints and the planet are better off moving forward.

The layered printing functions of our new printers allow for gloss, matte or other textured finishes to be added during the printing process, giving designs an almost 3D effect

[1] Source: Keypoint Intelligence: Global printed signage market

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Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tomi-city, Nagano, Japan; President & CEO: Kazuaki Ikeda), a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters and 3D printers, announces that two of its products, the “UJV100-160Plus”, UV curable inkjet printer and the TxF series “TxF150-75” and ”TxF300-75” DTF (Direct-to-Film) printers have received the “EDP Awards 2024” from the European Digital Press Association (EDP).

The EDP Awards honour innovative products in the digital printing industry, selected by the EDP Technical Committee, which consists of independent consultants, editors, engineers, and other graphic industry-related experts. In its 17^th edition, the EDP Awards recognised Mimaki in two categories: “Best Roll-to-Roll Printer Less Than 170cm” and “Best Textile Printer Direct to Transfer”.

The Award-Winning Products

• UJV100-160Plus – UV Curable Inkjet Printer

The UJV100-160Plus, won the “Best Roll-to-Roll Printer Less Than 170cm” award. With a maximum power consumption of 0.5kW, the printer uses approximately 20% or less power^* than eco-solvent and latex printers, reducing both energy costs and CO₂ emissions. New features like the ink-saving function and maximum 3-layer printing enhance its capabilities, helping customers to lower their running costs and expand application possibilities.                     

• TxF series: TxF150-75 and TxF300-75 – DTF Printers

Furthermore, The TxF150-75 and TxF300-75 won the “Best Textile Printer Direct to Transfer” award. These DTF printers have been rapidly gaining popularity in the printwear market due to their stability and reliability, overcoming common issues of DTF printers in the market such as ink clogging and ejection failures. Mimaki’s advanced technology ensures consistent performance over long periods, making them ideal for various printing needs such as custom t-shirts, sportswear, and promotional items.

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TxF Series – EDP Award Winner 2024

UJV100-160Plus – EDP Award Winner

From left – Arjen Evertse – General Manager Sales Mimaki Europe, Jean Poncet-Vice Chairman of the EDP Association, Marc Verbeem-Product Manager Mimaki Europe and Danna Drion-General Manager Marketing Mimaki Europe

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An effective design is one that can catch the eye of the passer-by. However, the design or message can be missed if the final print is not dynamic and striking enough to draw the attention of the intended audience. Nowadays, advanced printing methods allow users to achieve striking results, through special effects, such as glossy or matte surfaces and glitter effects. When combining print layers with special textures, the results get even more eye-catching. Multi-layered printing can take your designs to the next level, by printing coloured, white, black, and clear layers over the top of each other, it allows for more interesting textures and colours, allowing your signs to reach their full potential.

Why UV?
Efficiency is a key benefit of UV printing. UV LED ink cures immediately, so your sign and decorations will be ready as soon as you print them. By curing immediately, there is no need for a drying heater, which reduces energy consumption and makes it the more sustainable printing option. In addition to this, UV ink can be used on a wide range of materials such as cloth, paper without a receptive layer, and PET film, which are difficult to print on using traditional latex or solvent, making UV LED printing not only more sustainable and effective but also more versatile than traditional methods.

Mimaki has been at the forefront of UV LED printing, with its latest UV printers, the UJV100-160Plus and the UCJV330-160, both excellent options when looking to multi-layer print. Based on the UJV100-160, the UJV100-160plus is the definitive entry-level model for sustainable sign and graphic printing with low running costs, versatile expression, and ease of printing for everyone. It has the basic functions of the conventional UJV100-160 with several additional features, most notably the pull-back printing function, which enables multi-layer printing up to three layers for a wide range of applications. The UCJV330-160, available from the beginning of 2024, implements many new features and innovations based on Mimaki’s proprietary UV printing technology and feedback from customers and resellers. It provides multi-layered printing up to five layers, and its new generation of high-precision print heads allows for incredibly detailed prints and high print speeds.

Discover our latest UCJV330-160 UV LED printer:

Single and two-layered printing

Printing on a single layer is the fastest method and works well for general signage. On a single layer, the print layer construction can only be colour, white, or clear. Colours can still be vibrant and dynamic; however, this method has limitations and won’t fully utilize Mimaki’s UV printers’ capabilities.

Adding a layer can level up your backlit or window sign. When printing with one layer for a backlit sign, the colours look too dark when the backlight is off, however, when printing on two layers, the quality of the print when the backlight is off is far better. It also allows you to add an additional clear layer, giving the sign more texture and a glossy effect.

For window signs, printing on just one layer will result in poor visibility due to the colour transparency, however with two-layer printing, having a white layer underneath will allow the colours to be more vivid, making the decoration more vibrant and brighter.

Three Layered Printing

Printing on two layers can enhance the vibrancy of colors for signs and decorations, but you can achieve even more with three-layer printing. For backlit signs, two-layer printing keeps the sign bright with the backlight off, but some parts of the image appear clipped white when the light is on. Three-layer printing, which adds a white layer in between two coloured layers, can maintain the beauty of the image even when the backlight is off.

Returning to window decoration, two-layer printing only gives great visibility from one side, with the back being all white. By having a colour layer under and on top of the white layer, window prints can be colourful and vibrant from both sides.

The UJV100-160Plus pull-back feature allows for multi-layer printing regardless of the ink set. So, depending on the sign you are trying to create, you can either print white over colour, colour over white, or clear over colour. Alongside the pullback, another new feature of the UJV100-160Plus is the RasterLink7 software and its Tilt Compensation Function. If the media is slightly skewed, the printer can scan for any misalignments and print the final layer according to those misalignments. Guaranteeing quality printing even after the pullback.

A feature the UCJV330-160 can offer on three layers is watermark printing, allowing for two types of image expression on a single sign. Clear ink images and symbols appear when the backlight switches on because of the different densities in the white layer printed under the color layer. This can give these images and symbols a stylish ‘hidden’ or ‘invisible’ effect that livens up your design.

Three-layer printing, which adds a white layer in between two coloured layers, can maintain the beauty of the image even when the backlight is off.

The Simple POP software is compatible with the Mimaki UCJV150 and UCJV300 series

UV 2.5D effect at Drupa 2024

Four Layered Printing

By adding a fourth layer, you add a layer of black ink as well as white, colour, or clear. This unlocks the eye-catching ‘day and night effect’, where the image can change appearance depending if the backlight is on or off. For example, you could display an image of a car, which once the light turns on can reveal the engine and the interior of the vehicle. Or, more literally, display a city or town during the day with the light on and at night with it off.

To achieve this, first print a colored layer that displays when the backlight is on, known as the ‘floating color layer.’ Then, print a black layer on top to hide the floating layer when the light is turned off. Next, a white layer is applied, increasing the density of the fourth and final layer, the colored layer that will display when the backlight is off. While it may sound complicated, thanks to the four-layer printing capabilities of the UCJV330-160 and its RasterLink software, stunning day and night designs can be created easily.

Five Layered Printing

The primary objective of a sign is to display information, and standard signage can display a single message to a single audience at one time. However, what if you wanted to display different information, to different people, at the same time? For example, a café would want to display to passers-by that they are open or advertise their products to entice people in. However, once they entered, the café may want to inform them on the free Wi-Fi they have on offer.

Five-layer printing allows the printing of two different images on the front and back of the same sheet. Printing colour, white, black, white, colour creates two high-quality images for the front and back. This is perfect for shop window stickers, as the side facing out can advertise the products, while the side facing in can display important information for customers.

Summary

Multi-layered printing is a great way to add some style and uniqueness to your signs and displays, with new possibilities at every layer. Mimaki’s UJV100-160Plus and the UCJV330-160 are not only great options for multi-layered printing through their versatility and innovative Mimaki technology, but by using UV they are also the most sustainable options for your sign and display.

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Mimaki launches eco-friendly carton ink cartridges to the global printing industry, significantly reducing plastic usage and improving recyclability.

This latest solution is another initiative by the company to support printers in reducing their environmental impact.

Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, are proud to announce the global launch of its carton ink cartridges. This revolutionary move replaces traditional plastic cartridges with an environmentally friendly paper alternative, marking a significant stride towards sustainability in the printing industry.

We initially introduced the carton ink cartridges to the Japanese market in May 2023, and we are starting the roll-out to the rest of the world today. We expect the availability in the EMEA market this summer. Designed for use in Mimaki’s eco-solvent printers, these cartridges retain exceptional performance while significantly reducing environmental impact.

By transitioning from plastic to paper, Mimaki has achieved a remarkable 68% reduction in plastic usage per cartridge. This innovative approach is expected to eliminate approximately 44 tons of plastic and 65 tons of CO2 emissions annually, highlighting Mimaki’s commitment to a greener future.

4o mini

Moreover, the lighter weight of carton ink cartridges translates to an estimated 8-ton reduction in CO2 emissions during transportation, further contributing to a decarbonised society.

Recognising its groundbreaking design and eco-conscious packaging, the ink cartridge received the prestigious Industrial Packaging Category Award at the 2023 Japan Packaging Contest.

Innovating for a Greener Future

In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mimaki continues to champion resource-recycling management and technology.

Mimaki are also working towards sustainable solutions in various sectors, with the latest innovations including:

• Neo-Chromato Process: This innovative technology facilitates material recycling, leading to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions through the reuse of textile materials.
• TRAPIS: The textile printing pigment transfer system enables printing on fabrics without the need for specialised techniques or expertise, promoting efficiency and sustainability in textile production
• M2COA: An automated packaging system for industrial product printing, which addresses labour shortage issues in the print service business by streamlining operations.

In addition to these solutions, all of which will be on display on its drupa 2024 stand, Mimaki has implemented environmental measures such as reducing cushioning material in 2L ink packs across all ink-producing plants as of March 2023.

Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales EMEA at Mimaki Europe commented “We remain committed to innovation in all parts of the production process, from the ink cartridges to the technology itself, in pursuit of a positive environmental impact. To respond swiftly to social and environmental needs, we see the importance of advanced technologies such as automation, high-efficiency and high-speed printers, and waterless textile technology.

“Through all these sustainable initiatives, we continue to be dedicated in making a positive contribution to the global print community and fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.”

For more information on Mimaki’s ongoing sustainability initiatives, please visit: https://www.mimakieurope.com/sustainability/

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