Mimaki’s new textile pigment transfer printing system, named TRAPIS, makes significant savings on wastewater compared to conventional methods.
Latest innovation also broadens application possibilities for print service providers, with the ability to print on a multitude of materials, including natural fibres.
Demonstration of the system together with Mimaki’s inkjet printer, the TS330-1600, in Mimaki’s booth at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 (Stand F10, Hall 12).
Mimaki Europe, a leading provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, announces the commercial release of its textile pigment transfer printing system, named “TRAPIS”. Following the preview of the technology at ITMA 2023, this commercialised version, available later this year, offers an environmentally friendly and easy to operate solution for textile applications – saving almost 90% of wastewater compared to conventional methods.
TRAPIS provides a simple two-step process, consisting of an inkjet printer and a calender. The inkjet printer prints the chosen design with a dedicated ink onto transfer paper, which a calender then transfers to the application. Unlike conventional analogue and digital dye-printing methods, TRAPIS generates almost no wastewater. The only wastewater produced comes from the printer’s automatic maintenance. Since this method requires no pre-treatment or washing of the fabric, it saves around 14.5 liters of water per square meter compared to digital dye printing1.
Additionally, this eliminates the need for wastewater treatment facilities, which can be costly and restrict the locations where the solution can be installed. The smaller size of the TRAPIS system allows installation in a limited space or even at the front of a printshop.
TRAPIS also offers print service providers an easy-to-use option for textile printing. As the process only involves printing and transferring, it does not require specialised skills to operate when compared to the more complex seven- or eight-step system for digital and analogue conventional printing. The lack of a fabric conveyor belt in the system further minimises the need for time intensive maintenance.
Further simplifying the process, TRAPIS is able to print on a wide range of materials, including natural fibres like cotton and silk in addition to blended fabrics, with just one type of ink. Due to this, the process can be flexible and adapt to customer demand, even with multi-material short runs. The accompanying ink has also achieved the ZDHC MRSL Lv.3*2 certification and is bluesign® APPROVED, to ensure that it is both worker and consumer safe, as well as an environmentally friendly product. Like with Mimaki’s existing textile solution portfolio, the prints produced with TRAPIS maintain stretchability and colourfastness, without impacting aspects like breathability and water absorbability, important for sectors like home textiles, activewear and fashion.
Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales, Mimaki Europe, comments, “After the positive reception we received when we initially showcased the technology last year, we’re happy to now announce the release of this solution commercially at FESPA. Conscious of the evolving sustainability standards and customer demands, we created TRAPIS as an innovative and seamless system for print service providers looking to produce high-quality and vibrant textile applications, while keeping cost, time and environmental impact to a minimum.”
[1] According to Mimaki’s original research, digital dye printing generates significant amount of wastewater by textile printing conveyor belt washing and fabric washing after dye fixation (steam).
[2] ZDHC is a non-profit organization based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that works to eliminate the emission of hazardous substances in the textile and leather industry.
