Mimaki Europe has announced two new innovations: the TRAPIS textile pigment transfer printing system, as well as the Kebab HS system for 360-degree direct printing on cylindrical objects.
Following the preview of the technology at ITMA 2023, this commercialised version of TRAPIS, available later this year, offers an environmentally friendly and easy to operate solution for textile applications, saving almost 90% of wastewater compared to conventional methods.
TRAPIS provides a simple two-step process, consisting of an inkjet printer and a calender. The design of choice is printed by the inkjet printer with a dedicated ink onto transfer paper, which is then transferred to the application via a calender. Unlike both analogue and digital conventional dye-printing methods, TRAPIS generates almost no wastewater, only that which is produced during the printer’s automatic maintenance. Due to no pre-treatment or washing of the fabric being needed, this saves around 14.5 litres per square metre of water when compared to digital dye printing. According to Mimaki’s original research, digital dye printing generates a significant amount of wastewater by textile printing conveyor belt washing and fabric washing after dye fixation.
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. Due to the smaller size, it is possible for the TRAPIS system to be installed in a limited space, or even at the front of a printshop.
TRAPIS also offers print service providers an easy-to-use option for textile printing. 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 for digital and analogue conventional printing. The lack of a fabric conveyor belt in the system further minimises the need for time intensive maintenance.
Further simplifying the process, TRAPIS is able to print on a wide range of materials, including natural fibres like cotton and silk in addition to blended fabrics, with just one type of ink. Due to this, the process can be flexible and adapt to customer demand, even with multi-material short runs. The accompanying ink has also achieved the ZDHC MRSL Lv.3 certification and is bluesign® APPROVED, to ensure that it is both worker and consumer safe, as well as an environmentally friendly product. 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.
Like with Mimaki’s existing textile solution portfolio, the prints produced with TRAPIS maintain stretchability and colourfastness, without impacting aspects like breathability and water absorbability, which is important for sectors like home textiles, activewear and fashion.
Kebab HS
The Kebab HS serves as an optional system for Mimaki’s renowned UJF series of flatbed UV printers. The Kebab HS enables seamless 360-degree printing on cylindrical objects, such as bottles and tumblers. This latest solution can also print directly on tapered objects, including glasses and cups.
The Kebab HS is the latest entry into Mimaki’s Kebab Series of optional systems for the UJF Series of flatbed UV printers. With over 1600 Kebab units already installed in EMEA and an average of 1 out of 5 UJF users choosing to add this optional system to their existing workflow, UJF flatbed printers equipped with a Kebab option can achieve three-dimensional direct-to-object printing, furthering the variety of print applications possibilities.
Building on the capabilities of the Kebab MkII, the new Kebab HS takes productivity and performance to the next level. Three times faster than the previous model, the Kebab HS significantly increases production efficiency and takes approximately 10 minutes to print per material, ideal for users handling mid-volume orders with a single printer. It also broadens application possibilities in UV printing further, by allowing personalisation on both cylindrical and tapered items with sloping sides. It features a maximum slope angle of 7.5 degrees.
Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales at Mimaki Europe, commented, ‘We look to constantly innovate our existing products and create added opportunities for print service providers, and the launch of the Kebab HS is one of the latest examples of this. As an optional solution, it allows the users of our popular UJF Series printers to add another dimension to their product offering and up their competitive edge.’
The option can be quickly installed, requiring only the attachment of the main unit to the UJF series print table, certified service engineers are on hand to provide a seamless installation experience for all users. The current Kebab MkII and Kebab MkII L will remain available and are recommended for customers printing on small diameters (50mm or less) and materials longer than 280mm.
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