Mimaki Announces Launch Of Its First DTF Printer
Mimaki USA’s first direct-to film (DTF), printer has been developed, the TxF15075. The heat transfer pigment ink, PHT50, for DTF, was also created by Mimaki USA. The products are targeted at apparel and textile printing applications. Sales will start in summer 2023.
DTF printing has been a popular method in the textile and apparel industries, especially in the wearable printing market. It is often used for T-shirt printing. DTF printing involves the first printing of the design directly on a special transfer film. Next, the printed film is coated with hot-melt powder. The film is heated and dried to form an ink layer that can be transferred to the film. To complete the final product, the ink layer formed is transferred to the fabric via a heat presses.
The Mimaki TxF150-75 is an inkjet printer with a maximum printing width of 80 cm (31.5”) for producing DTF print transfer sheets. PHT50 heat-transfer pigment ink for DTF applications is available in five colors (CMYK or white). It is expected to be awarded the ECO PASSPORT certification before March 2023. This is crucial for complying with the international safety standard OEKOTEX. Mimaki developed a degassing design to overcome ink ejection problems and white ink blockages that plagued DTF printers in the past.