Direct-to-Film Technology – Shaking Things Up in Digital Textile Printing
Direct-to-film allows you to print premium designs on sportswear and a variety of promotional textiles.
Marc Verbeem, Supervisor Product Management, Mimaki Europe
Direct-to film technology has a significant impact on apparel decoration in the printing industry. This process allows for vibrant and dynamic full-colour prints with durable printing. Digital print service providers can expand their textile offerings, reach new customers and, thanks to its versatility, print on a wider range of fabrics. Mimaki, as the textile industry grows, recognised the need for an innovative solution that would take the process to a new level. This was combined with the manufacturer support Mimaki is known for.
Screen Printing vs. Direct-to film
Direct-to film printing is a process that digitally prints directly onto a transfer sheet. It is then applied with a hot melt powder to fabrics and heated. After the transfer sheet has been cured and dried it can be heat pressed on a wide range of fabrics. It is ideal for creating premium transfers for customised merchandise, sportswear and other promotional applications in the textile industry. Screen printing requires a lot more work than traditional methods. Not only this, but the process does not meet direct-to-film’s ability to produce vivid colours and quality details such as shapes, lettering, and motifs often sought after in the promotional and merchandising space for bespoke textiles.
Why DTF?
Mimaki’s move into direct to film technology is a thrilling venture into a new segment. Why did we decide to take this route? We knew that we could provide a leading solution to the market with our core technologies, and the technical expertise of our digital printers. A stable and reliable direct-to film printing solution is also needed by the market. For a print process as complex as this, it is important to have a partner who can provide reliable aftercare. Mimaki’s reputation is synonymous with support, which is what direct-to-film customers can expect every step of the way.
The Mimaki TxF150 75
Mimaki’s first direct-to-film inkjet printer is the TxF150-75, a fitting extension to the 150 series, with a maximum printing width of 80cm. Offering a stable printing plotter, the model’s built-in ink circulation system and degassed ink pack are resolutions to common direct-to-film challenges such as poor ink ejection and white ink clogging. The new printer includes Mimaki’s NRS (Nozzle Recover System) and NCU (Nozzle check Unit) to ensure stable, uninterrupted printing. Operating in harmony with the textile printer itself is Mimaki’s ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certified water-based pigment textile inks, formulated especially for the TxF150-75. Coupled with Mimaki’s RasterLink7 RIP software, users are offered end-to-end oversight and efficiency from creative design to final product.
In addition, and in line with Mimaki’s collaborative approach to meeting customer needs, Adkins has developed an 80cm wide powder shaker cure unit to complete this ‘A brand’ direct-to-film Printing solution. The 80cm-wide printer and postprocessing unit allows customers to print larger garments, with less waste, faster production times and lower costs.
Mimaki TxF150 75 represents a great opportunity for customers in the apparel decorated sector, or those who want to enter the digital textile printing industry.