A Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System and the Neo-Chromato Process will be unveiled at ITMA 2023, according to Mimaki Europe, a top supplier of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers. At the expo in Milan, Italy, these breakthroughs are presented for the first time and before they are widely available on the market, demonstrating Mimaki’s dedication to ecologically benign and sustainable solutions for the textile printing sector.
According to Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales, Mimaki Europe, “Traditionally, the dyeing process for natural fibres generates an alarming amount of wastewater – approximately 2 billion tonnes every day in the pre- and post- dyeing processes worldwide(1) – and significantly contributes to CO2 emissions.” Additionally, the equipment structure and procedure for dyeing are complex, and frequently, CO2 is also released during the export of textile goods from the major textile-producing nations. Water usage is reduced and the printing process is made simpler by the Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System. Additionally, because of its tiny size and low cost, local small lot textile production can be used, which has a considerable negative influence on the environment.
With negligible water usage and significantly lower CO2 emissions, the transfer printing method is more environmentally friendly than both analogue and digital textile dye printing technologies. Three key components make up the system, which is on display at the Mimaki booth (H7-C304): the Textile Pigment Ink, the Transfer System, and the Textile Pigment Transfer paper, Texcol®.
Coldenhove, a Dutch paper company, invented the ground-breaking Texcol® transfer paper, which enables the transfer of a digital print utilising an eco-friendly three-step transfer procedure. to produce a colourful application on a variety of materials, such as natural textiles. With the use of a specially designed TS330-1600 dye sublimation printer from Mimaki and specially created pigment inks, the pattern is first printed onto the paper. The TS330-1600 adapter module will be available as an option for current and potential Mimaki customers in Q3 2023, but it is being showcased at ITMA to give attendees an inside look at how this highly productive Mimaki printer can be converted into Mimaki’s most eco-friendly solution for clothing, home textiles, and soft signage yet.
Before going on sale, Mimaki’s new Textile Pigment Ink is being bluesign certified. The renowned certification scheme known as “bluesign” guarantees the highestlevels of safety, environmental friendliness, and sustainability within the textile and apparel industry.
As the final stage, the Texcol® paper undergoes a one-step waterless process, through an entry-level calendar machine onto the textile of choice.
