Mimaki unveils 'world's fastest' dye sublimation inkjet printer

The machine can print four- and six-colour at top speeds of 150sqm an hour on to transfer paper.

It will be released in April, although a date for Australia has yet to be confirmed.

The TS500-1800 reaches these speeds at resolutions of 300x600dpi, which increases up to a maximum of 1,200dpi when printing at lower speeds.

Incorporating a three staggered array of six piezo print heads, the dye sublimation machine can print on to a maximum width of 1,890mm.

The TS500-1800 can also accept media rolls up to 60kg and 300mm in diameter, which the company said will help eliminate the need for frequent media changes.

According to Sakae Sagane, managing director of Mimaki Europe, the TS500-1800 is "ideal" for the digital production of textile apparel and soft signage.

Sagane added: "We believe the TS500-1800 will enable manufacturers of apparel and soft signage to capitalise on the growing demand for shorter runs and customised or even personalised products in these two burgeoning digital markets."

In addition to the new machine, Mimaki has launched a new dye-sublimation ink, the Sb300, which is claimed to offer quick drying and is available in six colours: blue, magnenta, yellow, black, light blue and light magnenta.

"Our new ink delivers brilliant colour and using RasterLink 6, printer operators can easily convert special colours to specific Pantone references to ensure colour integrity," he added.

Elsewhere, Mimaki will give a European debut to its other new dye sublimation printer, the TS34-1800A, when it exhibits at Fespa 2012 later this month.

This article originally appeared at printweek.com