Mimaki follows HP’s latex lead

Japanese wide-format manufacturer, Mimaki, is set to follow HP’s lead with the release of its first latex printer range, which is to be officially launched at this month’s FESPA Digital show in Barcelona.

Although HP first introduced its latex printing range to the industry over three years ago, with the first of its latex printers to be delivered to Australia in 2009, Mimaki claims that its new range boasts a lower curing temperature, better raster technology and the added bonus of white ink.

The two printers in the new range, the JV400-130LX 44-inch and the JV400-160LX 64-inch wide-format presses, have a curing temperature around 60°C, which allow the units to print safely on a wide range of heat-sensitive substrates, including transparent PET and shatterproof window film.

The latex ink for the new series was developed in-house by Mimaki and includes white, which, according to DGS Mimaki Australia national sales manager, Brad Creighton, is a first for the latex technology.

“We’re the first to be running a white ink,” Creighton says. “From the feedback we’ve got from Mimaki, the colour is exceptional.”

Additionally, Mimaki’s new RasterLink 6 RIP software, developed for the latex range, allow the deposition of three layers of the UV-cured ink in one pass, including a base layer of white.

While HP is regarded as the industry leader for latex printing since it entered the marketplace with its latex range, Mimaki hopes its new range, with its lower curing temperature and lower energy consumption, will convert those HP customers who are already familiar with the latex technology.

“There’s no secret that HP’s made a certain impact with the technology,” says Creighton, “we’ve simply got a flow-on effect from that, and existing market users of the technology are already interested.”