IMPORTANT NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND PRODUCT LAUNCHES - DIRECT TO FABRIC DIGITAL MACHINERY
“Reacting to market demands: New developments offer increased print speeds, simplified workflow solutions, and a wide scope of machines on offer to suit all budgets. All of which acts to simultaneously bringing down entry costs as operational profitability is extended”.
[ 2021 UPDATE ] New Developments and Product Launches - Direct to Fabric Printing Machinery
In spite of the pandemic, research and development projects among the digital fabric printing machine manufacturers have continued apace and during the first part of 2021, have resulted in a profusion of new and exciting products.
As we approach the autumn, here’s a quick refresh of this year’s emerging technologies…
As the New Year dawned Mimaki were first out of the blocks with their TS100-1600 printer. The TS100-1600 is designed to meet the market needs of the textile and apparel industry, and as an entry-level model with high performance and an affordable price, it can be used with confidence by a wide range of customers who are considering the introduction of digital printing. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/mimaki-launch-entry-level-ts100-1600-digital-textile-printer?rq=mimaki%20launch%20entry
In February HP announced a new portfolio of latex printers. The new HP Latex range consists of four devices – the HP Latex 700 and 800, and the HP Latex 700W and 800W which offer white ink capability for the first time in this category. It is the whitest white ink available on the market that does not yellow over time, enabling print businesses to produce neater outlines and add more contrast to darker supports. Meanwhile, updated printheads possessing more nozzles and producing speeds of up to 36 m2/hr (388 ft2/hr) allow the HP Latex 800 and 800W to offer 50% higher productivity levels compared to previous HP models. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/hps-new-latex-printer-portfolio-delivers-unprecedented-levels-of-versatility-and-sustainability-in-digital-printing?rq=latex
Also in February Mimaki announced advanced print solutions for digital textile production with its update to it Tiger model. Available as a high-quality direct-to-textile (reactive or direct sublimation) or sublimation transfer printing solution, the new Tiger-1800B MkIII has been developed with reliability and print accuracy at the forefront of the design process and features new software capabilities that help to increase productivity and reduce downtime. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/new-year-new-technology-mimaki-launches-two-advanced-print-solutions-for-digital-textile-production?rq=MIMAKI
Then in March SwissQprint introduced three new digital print innovations to the market. First, the speed model of the Karibu UV roll to roll printer. Second, the option for automatic double-sided printing with Karibu. And third, neon inks for UV printing – an absolute world first. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/swissqprint-launch-three-new-additions-to-their-digital-printing-portfolio?rq=SWISSQPRINT
Also in March, Epson launched their roll to roll resin digital printer. The 64-inch SureColor® R5070 and SureColor R5070L roll-to-roll signage printers with water-based resin ink consistently provide professional-quality wallpapers, fabrics, uncoated papers, and traditional signage at remarkable speeds. Both printers offer low ink costs and feature 1.5L ink packs for enhanced efficiency; the SureColor R5070L includes 3L per color with hot swap technology that automatically switches from an empty ink pack to a new pack mid-print for uninterrupted printing. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/epson-launch-their-first-roll-to-roll-resin-surecolor-signage-printers-for-professional-quality-wallpapers-and-traditional-signage?rq=EPSON
And finally, also in March the Chinese base Flora company introduced their TX2000p which uses linear induction motors to reach speeds of 600 m2/hr. Flora had started to invested in developing 3 digital printers, in textile printing, corrugated board printing and signage printing fields---2.0m dye sublimation printer mounted with EPSON S3200 heads TX2000EP, 2.5m scanning corrugated board printer C25H, and 2.0m UV hybrid Pro XTRA2000HUV. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/floras-new-dye-sub-textile-printer-from-chinathe-tx2000p-uses-linear-induction-motors-to-reach-600-m2-per-hour?rq=FLORA%27S
In April Mutoh released their new double-head dye sublimation printer, the XPJ1682WR-64. The XpertJet 1682WR printer has been developed for high quality graphics for transfer onto all possible types of polyester coated or polyester based rigids, gadgets and flexible materials. Applications encompass in-store textile displays, personalised interior décor, custom apparel, soft signage, sportswear, customized promotional products, giftware and more.Featuring a high level of print production efficiency, the XPJ-1682WR accommodates two gold plated piezo variable drop print heads producing stunning results in 4, 6, 7 or 8 colour ink setups. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/mutoh-emea-release-their-new-dual-head-dye-sublimation-printer-the-xpj-1682wr-64?rq=MUTOH
Also in April, Epson expanded its range of this printer category with the SC-F10000H which offers the option of neon ink printing. The Epson SureColor SC-F10000H enables the use of two different ink sets: Either CMYK + fluorescent pink and yellow or CMYK + LM + LC. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/the-new-epson-surecolor-sc-f10000h-offers-optional-prints-with-fluorescent-or-light-inks?rq=EPSON
Later on in April Durst, manufacturer of innovative digital printing systems and software solutions, set a milestone in the field of sublimation printing with the launch of the P5 TEX iSUB. The abbreviation iSUB stands for "inline sublimation." This eliminates individual work steps, resulting in a significant increase in quality and efficiency for the user. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/durst-p5-tex-isuba-milestone-for-sublimation-printingdelivers-a-one-step-process-with-in-line-fixation?rq=DURST
In May, canon’s new 1630 UV gel printer was launched. This industrial-grade printer offers companies active in the large format market access to all of the proven advantages of UV gel technology at a lower investment, to help further expand business opportunities by addressing lower volumes in the market. Engineered for durability, reliability and stability, the Colorado 1630 base model can be configured according to each user's unique business needs by adding modular options such as FLXfinish, a second media roll, and easy double-sided printing. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/canons-new-colorado-1630-uvgel-roll-to-roll-printer-ticks-all-the-boxes?rq=CANON%27S%20NEW%20COLORADO
As June opened Fujifilm launched their new Acuity Prime printer. This new flatbed is part of Fujifilm’s strategy to create ‘the new blueprint’ for wide format by resetting expectations relating to price/performance, versatility, value and ease-of-use Fujifilm’s stylishly designed new Acuity Prime flatbed prints at exceptionally high quality to a range of rigid and flexible media. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/fujifilms-new-acuity-prime-flatbed-digital-printer-optimises-price-and-performance?rq=FUJIFILM
Also in June EFI Reggiani upgraded its high speed Bolt single pass printer. Hardware and software enhancement on the ultra-high-speed inkjet printer eliminates single-pass imaging challenges with smoother solids, improved printing uniformity and more. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/the-worlds-fastest-digital-textile-printerthe-efi-reggiani-boltnow-upgraded-to-deliver-even-higher-image-quality?rq=EFI%20REGGIANI
EFI/Reggiani then went on to launch their new entry-level Blaze printer at Shanghai in June. The EFI Reggiani BLAZE printer is designed to give textile companies the opportunity to enter the digital textile printing market with a compact solution. The new, 1.8-meter wide printer offers an innovative, low-maintenance, continuous recirculation ink system equipped with a level sensor and degassing as well as a printhead crash protective system for longer printhead life and superior uptime. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/efi-reggiani-introduces-the-blaze-its-state-of-the-art-industrial-entry-level-textile-digital-printer?rq=EFI%20REGGIANI
And finally, as Q2 closed, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the launch of the new Arizona 135 GT UV flatbed printer. This smart technology investment offers sign makers, print service providers and offset and screen printers, among others, new ways to fulfill business opportunities. Whether starting out in the rigid applications, large format graphics industry or looking to diversify into new applications, the Arizona 135 GT delivers the proven benefits of the award-winning Arizona series – high image quality, impressive productivity and reliability, application versatility and excellent total cost of ownership – at a smart investment level. https://www.texintel.com/press-room/canons-new-canon-arizona-135-gt-uv-flatbed-printer-is-the-digital-printing-solution-for-outstanding-productivity-and-application-versatility?rq=CANON
