Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 48

Te c hno lo g y R e v i ew By Chris and Kathi Morrison Mimaki's TS500P-3200 Dye-Sublimation Printer Unlocks your media range to virtually anything that accepts dye-sub ink. Chris and Kathi Morrison own and operate The Image Specialists, a full-service graphics company based in Clements, CA. Chris is also a Microsoftcertified systems engineer. Key Information Key Information Mimaki USA 150 Satellite Blvd. NE, Ste. A Suwanee, GA 30024 (888) 530-3988 www.mimakiusa.com Contact: info@mimakiusa.com M imaki has had a presence in dye sub for many years, but in 2016, it raised the industry bar by introducing its 129.5-in.-wide TS500P-3200 printer for transfer paper, which unlocks your media range to virtually anything that accepts dye-sub ink. In addition, the wide-media range - it prints just over 10 ft. wide - of the TS500P allows for printing large banners, backdrops, exhibition displays, commercial displays, home décor and nest, and cut and sew sports apparel. As you know, thinner media works best for transfers, but un- fortunately, dense ink layers can cause thin transfer paper to cockle. To prevent such misfortunes, Mimaki engineers have installed four post-print heaters on the TS500P-3200. The engineers also increased the height between the printhead and in-process media, which protects the printhead should errant cockling occur. Moreover, the printheads are optimized to compensate for the protective height, which ensures strike-free printing of ready-to-transfer prints. The TS500P-3200 features 12 staggered configuration printheads and your choice of a 4-color Specifications: Mimaki TS500P-3200 Dye Sublimation Transfer Printer Print System On-demand piezo, 12 printheads, staggered configuration Maximum Print Width 129.5 in. Printing Resolutions 360, 540, 720, 1,080 dpi Maximum Print Speed 1,937 sq. ft./hr. in 4-color mode, 1,130 sq. ft./hr. in 6-color mode Ink Type Mimaki Sb310 dye-sublimation ink BlMYKLblLm Ink Capacity Ink packaged in 2 liter bottles, poured into external feeding system with 3 liter tanks per color 48 SIGNS OF THE TIMES September 2016 (BlueMYK) or 6-color (BlueMYKlbluelm) system. The variable dot sizes range from 6 pL to 24 pL, with resolutions of 360 to 1,080 dpi. The arrayed printheads allow print speeds up to 1,937 sq. ft./hr. (4-color draft mode) and 1,130 sq. ft./hr. (6-color draft mode). The printer also ships with a 3 liter per color, bulk-ink system that can be filled on the fly. In addition, Mimaki's Auto Media Feeder ensures painless transition from the printer take up reel to the transfer calendar by applying matching tension to the media. It also reduces media telescoping, which allows you to quickly load finished rolls into the calendar. The system can handle a maximum roll weight of 286 lbs. Other features include the RasterLink6 software RIP, Mimaki's Advanced Pass System 4 that virtually eliminates banding, a nozzle check unit that determines if printheads are properly firing, and a recovery system that automatically cleans the nozzles when necessary. Further, when a nozzle can't be recovered, its address is assigned to a companion nozzle, so that printing can continue. Take a look at this unit if you're considering soft signage or fabrics. The Mimaki TS500P-3200 is an impressive dye-sublimation transfer printer - it's engineered for long life, high speed and high quality. n http://www.mimakiusa.com

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