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Frequently
Asked Questions

We’ve compiled the most common questions our sales, customer service and technical teams address. If you don’t see what you need, contact us at 888-530-3992 or na.service@mimaki.com.

Sign Graphics

How long is the outdoor durability of Mimaki eco-solvent ink?

Mimaki works closely with leading media manufacturers like 3M and Avery Dennison to create outdoor durable finished products.
Printed products can be warrantied beyond five years with the correct combination of Mimaki ink, media and laminate. Additional
information about our eco-solvent ink can be found here: https://mimaki.com/supply/ink/solvent.html

Do you have environmental recommendations to keep our Mimaki printer running at peak performance?

We have detailed product specifications for each of our printers in the Operation Manual. We recommend using our printers in a clean office environment. Printers need stable temperature conditions and should be placed away from direct sunlight and A/C vents when possible.

Can my Mimaki printer create borderless, or full bleed prints?

While Mimaki flatbed printers excel at this application, Mimaki roll-fed printers do not have an ink collection device to accommodate full bleed printing. Media print margins can be reduced to as little as 5mm to maximize media utilization.

We already have a RIP solution in place. Do we need to use RasterLink with Mimaki printers?

Mimaki Engineering provides development information to RIP companies around the world. Onyx, Caldera, Wasatch, Ergosoft, SAI and several other suppliers already have drivers and support available for Mimaki products. Mimaki USA maintains a color profile database for our products as well as industry partner RIP providers.

Do I need graphic design experience to produce stickers, labels or other types of die cut products?

No, Mimaki offers several software solutions that are designed and developed to address a wide range of consumer and commercial needs. We offer Simple Studio and Simple POP for fast, easy-to-use designs ready for print and cut. Customers with more demanding projects have access to FineCut as well as various CAD and CAM solutions to meet their needs.

Can I run my printer unattended or overnight?

Yes, All Mimaki eco-solvent printers include a front roll holder and other technology enhancements to allow for unattended printing. Mimaki print-and-cut devices can also be run without user interaction. Event notification systems can be enabled to inform you of the print progress and completion.

Textile & Apparel

What kind of daily maintenance do I need to perform?

A Care and Maintenance guide is provided with each printer and can also be downloaded via our website at https://mimaki.com/download/. Please refer to this guide for detailed instructions on how to conduct proper maintenance.

How do I establish heat and time settings for sublimating a print?

Heat and time settings can vary depending on the ink type, transfer paper, ink saturation and heat press. We recommended testing all variables before running production to achieve the desired results.

How do I select the right fabric for printing?

The best result will be achieved by using properly pre-treated fabric that suits your application.

Can I print without using the tension bar?

While it is possible to print without using the tension bar, we recommend using it for optimal feed stability.

What is the Mimaki Advanced Pass System?

Mimaki Advanced Pass System (MAPS) is a core technology that utilizes an advanced algorithm pattern to reduce banding by printing boundaries between swaths, giving you beautiful quality prints with a uniform appearance.

What does the Nozzle Recovery System do?

The Nozzle Recovery System allows the user to re-map nozzles that are clogged and possibly unrecoverable. Remapping disables the affected nozzle(s). A pre-determined algorithm in the firmware then remaps the nozzle pattern based on the print data being processed, effectively allowing continued print operation. However, under certain print conditions, remapping nozzles may be partially or completely ineffective.

Industrial Products

What is UV Printing?

UV printing is the immediate curing and adhesion by UV radiation using UV-curable inks.

How does UV printing process work with UV radiation and UV-curable inks?

The UV-curable ink is cured and adhered to the media or substrate by UV radiation. The print is already dried/cured when it comes off the printer, allowing a short delivery request to be met. Printing on non-absorbent materials, such as plastic, glass and metal, is available. To give shape to ideas, Mimaki offers a range of UV-curable ink products to meet demands from various industries, ranging from decorating and architecture to industrial design.

Mimaki UV-curable inks: LH-100, LUS-120, LUS-150, LUS-170, LUS-175 and
LUS-200 are GREENGUARD Gold certified by UL LLC of third-party
Institution of safety science of the United States.

What is the impact of UV printing for the environment?

UV printing offers environmental advantages with low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone-free UV-LED light. The color components of the ink are directly cured and adhered to the media or substrate by UV radiation, and the ink emits very low levels of VOCs. The light-emitting diode (LED) light does not radiate short wavelengths that generate ozone. Use of Mimaki UV-curable ink demonstrates our consciousness of the environment and the health of our users.

What types of UV printing are out on the market?

There are two types of UV printing on the market currently using Metal Halide Lamps and LEDs.

What is the benefit of printing with LEDs over Metal Halide Lamps?

Mimaki first adopted the use of LED light to solve all the problems associated with metal halide lamps, such as long warm-up or restrike times, high power consumption, large bulbs, short lamp life and high temperatures. The UV-LED ink curing system not only provides high-quality printing with speed, but also meets various demands from users with high media compatibility.

How does printing with LEDs become more beneficial with different types of media over printing with Metal Halide Lamps?

Due to the low heat generation of UV-LED light, Mimaki UV ink is capable of printing vibrant and beautiful colors on heat-sensitive materials, such as acrylic board, PVC, PET, etc. The low heat generation also helps prevent media buckling, warping and/or yellowing.