By Marc Verbeem, Supervisor Product Management, Mimaki Europe

Today’s printing industry is full of innovative and advanced technologies. From high-speed printing capabilities to robotics to sustainable inks, it is an exciting time for the sector. However, for all its advancements, hardware cannot operate on its own. This is why having equally advanced software, such as Mimaki’s RasterLink7, is essential in fulfilling print jobs with complete control and efficiency.

What is RasterLink7?

RasterLink7 is Mimaki’s latest proprietary RIP (Raster Image Processor) software that bridges the gap between the digital file and the printer, converting the file into a format that the printer can understand and process. If the printer is the body, RasterLink7 acts as the brain, processing and translating digital images into a format the printer can understand and execute.

Designed to work seamlessly with Mimaki printers and cutters, this print management software ensures smooth communication between software and hardware. This tight integration results in a streamlined and efficient printing process, eliminating the challenges associated with coordinating separate systems and tackling high print volumes. By facilitating seamless operation between devices, RasterLink7 minimises downtime and common print errors, enhancing the reliability of the entire printing setup.

The Crucial Link

Without the brainpower provided by RasterLink7, some areas of the printing workflow would see a significant decrease in efficiency, while others would simply not work. For example, without RasterLink7’s ability to convert and prepare digital print files, the printer would not be able to fully understand the design, meaning that details would be lost in the final result.

Beyond file conversion, it offers advanced print settings and controls, allowing users to optimise colour management, nesting, and ink usage for maximum efficiency. This level of control is vital for professionals seeking to maintain high standards and control costs. Without RasterLink7, users face significant limitations in managing these critical components of the workflow, potentially leading to increased costs and lower print quality.

Master of the Raster Image: How RasterLink7 is more than just a RIP Software

RasterLink7 boasts several features that elevate it from simple RIP software to a powerful tool that can be used to enhance all aspects of the printing workflow. The print management software includes ‘New Profile Manager’ that allows users to manage device profiles for different media types, making it easier to achieve the best results for each print job. The ‘Layout Preview’ feature provides an accurate print preview directly on the screen, simplifying final confirmations before it is added to the print queue. Moreover, the ink-saving functionality reduces ink consumption by up to 30% without compromising colour balance, offering substantial cost savings.

RasterLink7 also supports 2.5D printing, previously exclusive to flatbed printers and now available on roll-to-roll printers, expanding an already wide range of applications possible. The software’s ‘Cutter Support’ feature integrates directly with cutting plotters, allowing seamless print-and-cut operations. Additionally, the ‘Lab Colour Chart’ enables accurate colour rendition, ensuring that colours appear exactly as intended. These features, along with the ability to estimate ink consumption and manage advanced print effects like multilayer printing and watermarking, make RasterLink7 a comprehensive solution for modern printing needs.

By going beyond the traditional functions of RIP software, RasterLink7 offers an array of advanced tools that streamline the entire workflow, from file preparation to the final print. Whether it’s optimising colour management, reducing ink consumption, or enabling new creative possibilities, RasterLink7 ensures that every aspect of a print session is handled with precision and efficiency. For professionals looking to elevate their print operations, RasterLink7 is more than just software; it’s an essential component in achieving outstanding results consistently.

RasterLink7 is Mimaki’s latest proprietary RIP software

RasterLink7 also supports 2.5D printing, now available on roll-to-roll printers

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*The company will highlight technological advancements, designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital printing and cutting

Mimaki France, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, announces its participation as a Gold Sponsor at Salon C!Print 2025, held from 4th to 6th February 2025 (Stand 2P24) at Eurexpo Lyon. This edition of the event holds special significance. Mimaki France celebrates its 15th anniversary, highlighting its commitment to empowering innovation and creativity. It is delivering cutting-edge solutions to the French market.

In line with Salon C!Print 2025’s tagline, “Make it happen”, Mimaki France will showcase its latest technological advancements. These are designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital printing and cutting. The company will demonstrate how its cutting-edge printing solutions streamline production and achieve top quality in a cost-effective way. Mimaki aims to inspire the visitors to take their business to the next level.

Visitors to the Mimaki booth will be able to experience the latest in cutting-edge technology. There will be live demonstrations of machines that showcase Mimaki’s commitment to quality, efficiency, sustainability, and versatility across industries. The company will spotlight the CJV200-160, an advanced roll-to-roll eco-solvent print and cut system. This system enables easy-to-handle use, high productivity, and high quality.

Also showcased on the Mimaki booth will be the UCJV330-160, a versatile roll-to-roll integrated printer designed to improve productivity significantly for quality sign graphics applications. Additionally, there is the CG-160FXII Plus, a cutting solution equipped with an advanced ID Cut function to vastly improve work efficiency. In addition, Mimaki will highlight the JFX600-2531, a large-format flatbed printer that delivers unparalleled productivity and precision. This is for industrial and creative projects. Also, the UJF-3042 MKII e, a small flatbed LED UV printer for customisation and decoration, will be showcased. Meanwhile, a TxF150-75 will be in action at the Plug&Play area.

Martial Granet, Branch Manager at Mimaki France, comments, “Salon C!Print is an essential event for Mimaki France as it brings together the key players in the printing and visual communication industries. It offers an excellent platform to connect with our customers, showcase our latest innovations, and explore new opportunities in the market. At this year’s show, we’re especially excited to celebrate our 15th anniversary. We reaffirm our commitment to driving creativity, sustainability, and growth in the French market.”

Another printer making its French show debut will be the new hybrid, large-scale textile printer, TS330-3200DS. Located at Mimaki dealer Mautom’s stand (2V12), this latest textile solution handles both sublimation transfer printing and direct polyester printing.

Martial Granet, Branch Manager at Mimaki France

The CJV200-160, an advanced roll-to-roll eco-solvent print and cut system designed to enable easy-to-handle use, high productivity and high quality

The UJF-3042 MKII e, a small flatbed LED UV printer for customisation and decoration

The UCJV330-160, a versatile roll-to-roll integrated printer designed to significantly improve productivity for quality sign graphics applications

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*Mimaki to demonstrate its latest innovative printing and cutting solutions at FESPA Middle East 2025, highlighting its strong market leadership in the Middle East and African region

*Products on show include the Middle East debut of a cost-efficient, next generation print and cut system

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of inkjet printing and cutting technologies, announces its participation in FESPA Middle East 2025, taking place from 20^th to 22^nd January in Dubai, UAE. Building on its significant momentum in the Middle East market, Mimaki will showcase its latest advancements and solutions tailored to the needs of the region’s print professionals at Booth 1-L10.

Success in the Middle East and African Market

The company continues to strengthen its position as a market leader in Africa and Middle East. Across the first three quarters of its fiscal year, Mimaki has achieved a growth in turnover of 24.3% year on year in Africa and of 17.2% in the Middle East. In the Sign Graphics sector, Mimaki holds over 40% market share for printers up to 1.8m and leads with 53% market share for printers between 1.8m and 3.2m, according to recent market data. The company also maintains a strong presence in the Industrial segment, with a 45% share in small UV flatbed printers¹.

Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales, Mimaki Europe, comments, “The Middle East remains a critical market for Mimaki, and in 2025, we continue to lead with over 40% market share in Sign Graphics, while also maintaining a strong presence in the Industrial sector. We’re eager to connect with local businesses at the upcoming FESPA Middle East event and showcase technologies that align with their specific needs.”

Innovative Solutions on Display

Mimaki’s booth will feature a comprehensive range of products, catering to a variety of printing needs. Making its Middle East debut will be a concept model of the next generation of print and cut systems, designed to meet the specific needs of the region’s market and enable lower running costs.

The line-up also consists of the CJV330-160 solvent print and cut solution and an array of Mimaki’s UV printers, including the cost-efficient and reliable UJV100-160Plus, the JFX200-2513 EX, a flatbed printer serving both Sign Graphics and Industrial Products segments, and the versatile UCJV330-160 print and cut system. Additionally, the CG-130AR cutting plotter will demonstrate precision and efficiency, while the TS100-1600 sublimation printer showcases high-quality textile applications.

Mimaki’s efficient cutting plotter, the CG-AR Series, will also be displayed at the show

Mimaki will return to FESPA Middle East to showcase its wide range of sign printers

^{1. Source: Infosource}

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*Mimaki’s new textile pigment transfer printing system, TRAPIS, will be on display at Heimtextil 2025

*Heimtextil 2025 marks one of the first stops in Mimaki’s TRAPIS Roadshow – where this technology will be showcased in various open houses and tradeshows worldwide

Mimaki Europe, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, announces its attendance at global textile tradeshow, Heimtextil 2025 (Frankfurt, January 14^th-17^th). The show, as the world’s largest trade fair for home and contract textiles, will give Mimaki the opportunity to demonstrate its latest sustainable innovation, TRAPIS, at its booth in Hall 3.0 Stand B96.

Following the system’s commercial launch earlier this year, TRAPIS is set to revolutionise the home textile industry. It offers an environmentally friendly two-step textile pigment transfer printing process. By eliminating the need for pre-treatment and washing stages, TRAPIS reduces water usage by up to 90%. It saves approximately 14.5 litres per square meter compared to traditional methods. This nearly waterless solution is ideal for diverse applications, such as home textiles. It enables vibrant printing on a diverse range of materials —including natural fibres, blends, and synthetics—with a single ink type. Certified by ZDHC MRSL Lv.3 and carrying the bluesign® APPROVED label, the ink ensures both environmental and user safety. This makes TRAPIS a safe, eco-friendly solution for textile applications in sectors such as home décor, activewear, and fashion.

TRAPIS also streamlines production with its simplicity. It requires only an inkjet printer and a high-pressure calender. This makes high-quality, sustainable textile printing more accessible to print service providers worldwide. ​Its compact size allows for installation in limited spaces, such as the front of a print shop. It eliminates the need for costly wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, the solution is easy to operate, requiring no specialised skills or complex maintenance. It adapts to customer demands, even for short multi-material runs. TRAPIS maintains high standards for safety, colourfastness, stretchability, and breathability.

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Taking TRAPIS on the Road

Following the system’s announcement earlier this year, Heimtextil will serve as a stop on Mimaki’s global TRAPIS Roadshow. The roadshow was launched in Amsterdam with Mimaki’s Textile Day Open House on 27^th November. Each stop will demonstrate TRAPIS to a different regional market. They offer hands-on experience with the new solution and showcasing Mimaki’s innovation in the textile sector. The roadshow will continue into 2025, stopping in countries such as Poland and Spain. More events will be announced in the coming year.

Marc Verbeem, Product Management Supervisor, Mimaki Europe, comments, “As a global hub for innovation and creativity in the home textile industry, Heimtextil presents us with an opportunity to showcase TRAPIS. This technology not only simplifies production but also significantly reduces environmental impact. It addresses the evolving demands of the industry. We look forward to engaging with the textile sector and demonstrating how TRAPIS can achieve vibrant, high-quality prints on a wide range of materials while prioritising sustainability.”

To find out the latest updates on the TRAPIS Roadshow, please see www.mimakieurope.com/trapis-roadshow

Mimaki’s TRAPIS Roadshow will commence worldwide across open houses and tradeshows throughout the year and into 2025

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

The post Mimaki to Spotlight Latest Sustainable Solution at Heimtextil 2025 appeared first on Mimaki Europe.

Educational facilities are among the fastest-growing adopters of 3D printing. There was an impressive 5.4% to 11.6% jump in market share between 2011 and 2021¹. They are overtaking other traditional applications, such as cosmetic models, jigs and fixtures. Across a wide range of academic fields, such as medicine, art, design and architecture, students and researchers increasingly use this technology. It helps to create models and prototypes which assists with their academic endeavours. In particular, material jetting 3D printing technology is making a name for itself within the sector. It is known for producing highly detailed prototypes, models and figures.

Material Jetting: More Colours, More Detail

While material jetting makes up a small share of 3D printer sales, it isn’t a technology to be overlooked. This is when compared to other printing methods like material extrusion (FDM) and powder bed fusion (MJF or other laser-based processes). Its ability to produce bright colours, incredible accuracy and fine detail in the final 3D prints makes it a go-to solution. It is ideal for prototyping, art, architectural and educational models.

Full-colour 3D printers from Mimaki, the 3DUJ-2207 and the 3DUJ-553, both utilise the material jetting method. A piezoelectric printhead travels over the build platform, depositing hundreds of tiny droplets of photopolymer to the desired locations. The material is then cured by a UV LED light. This allows less material warping and more control for complex designs over traditional UV bulbs. The process repeats until the whole part is complete. It is then submerged in the cleaning unit to remove any support material. This results in 3D prints with vibrant, photorealistic colour.

As the only 3D printers on the market with the ability to accurately print in 10 million colours, including transparent up to 1200 dpi, the 3DUJ Series can create highly detailed, full-colour 3D prints. These abilities, alongside its office-friendly size and low noise level, have made these machines the perfect high performing models. The rapidly growing 3D printing market has greatly benefited from these features.

The Educated Choice

We have already seen examples of Mimaki’s 3D printers’ accuracy and range of colours being used to full effect in universities. The collaboration between Monash University and Erler Zimmer led to the development of anatomically accurate 3D-printed medical models. These models address the limitations of cadavers in education. Initially facing challenges with the fragility and colour reproduction of medical models, the 3D printing industry saw a significant breakthrough. This occurred with the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 colour 3D Printer. The printer accurately creates realistic, detailed models with transparent parts to see internal structures. Reliance on cadavers in universities significantly restricts hands-on, interactive teaching opportunities, particularly when it comes to rare pathologies. The ability for universities to produce the desired 3D models as needed opens up significant learning opportunities for students and medical professionals alike.

In Europe, the printer’s capabilities have also attracted the attention of a team of doctors and researchers from the University of Florence. Facilitating cost-effective solutions and enhancing surgical training and simulation, the technology was also used for a range of anatomical models. It reached a previously unattainable degree of colour fidelity and realistic appearance. Meanwhile, Biologic Models has carved out a niche in creating precise and vibrant colour 3D models of proteins for research facilities and collectors. They use the 3DUJ-553 in conjunction with clinical research and x-ray crystallography protein data.

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Heart, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Head & Brain, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

One of Erler Zimmer’s medical models printed on the Mimaki 3DUJ-553

Heart, University of Florence Case Study, Florence, Italy

The Mimaki 3DUJ-553

In New Zealand, colour 3D printing has been taken beyond the medical field. The University of Auckland‘s Creative Design and Additive Manufacturing Lab (CDAML) uses the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 for vibrant, accurate colour printing in projects ranging from cultural preservation to surgical aids. Initially exploring powder-based printers, the lab shifted to the 3DUJ-553 due to its superior colour palette and durability. This printer has helped to transform how students engage with history, engineering, art and medicine.

The Perfect Tool for the Model Student

Imagine students worldwide crafting realistic anatomical models, bringing historical artefacts back to their former glory, or architecting the cities of tomorrow—all with cutting-edge full-colour 3D printing technology. In the educational field, 3D printing can equip the professionals of today and tomorrow with the tools they need to enhance their skills better.

_{1. Wohlers Report, ‘3D Printing Applications 2011 Wohlers Report’ and ‘3D Printing.}

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• 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!

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• Mimaki’s booth will feature applications made by students, companies and creatives using the 3DUJ Series. These include 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

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). They will demonstrate its vast potential across multiple industries. This will be 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. Additionally, Mimaki is actively supporting universities and other educational facilities. They aim 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’. It 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. This provides 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. They also utilise clear, translucent ink. These attributes enable students to experiment with complex vibrant designs and visual effects. This improves 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. This was part of a three-day workshop. Created utilising Adobe 3D Substance Collection software, the models were 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. In this field, seeing internal components or creating visual effects is crucial. The 3DUJ Series’ water-soluble support material simplifies post-processing. It preserves intricate features. Its advanced colour profiling ensures that prototypes match the design. These features allow for highly realistic models. Thus, they 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. This is 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. These vary from more traditional and visually stunning applications, such as sculptures and fashion accessories, to the more experimental and unusual. Examples include 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

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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 during the preparations for IBF 2024?

In September 2024, Mimaki Bompan Textile took on the challenge to ride alongside thousands of cycling enthusiasts. They participated 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. It fostered 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. This ensures that Mimaki Bompan Textile, with its 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. This 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. This ensures 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 and collaboration. This helps us 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. 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. This gives 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. It provides 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. 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. This provides control and insight into your printing operations from anywhere, anytime.

Moreover, 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. It helps 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

The software 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. This minimises downtime and ensures 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. It helps you 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. This helps prevent out-of-stock situations and ensures uninterrupted production.

PICT’s features keep you in control of the entire printing timeline. It provides detailed historical data and statuses like cumulative operating time, utilisation rates, daily and periodic ink usage, number of prints and print area/length. These features help you 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. This keeps 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. This means 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. It provides 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.