Digitally Driven is now a Reseller of the Heatwave DFP Direct Print textile printers

Have you caught the wave? As a complete solution including printer, sublimation unit, inks and RIP software, the new HeatWave DFP-74 direct-to-fabric digital printer makes it easier than ever to enter the fast-growing textile printing market. Based on Roland's HeatWave sublimation technology, the DFP-74 prints directly onto polyester fabrics and other substrates for flawless results. The system's precision media handling components and advanced on-board sublimation unit together ensure outstanding image quality and rich, saturated colors for flags, banners, textiles and soft signage that maintain their natural drape and texture.

Exceptional Image Quality Through Long Production Runs
It all begins with image quality, and the DFP-74 delivers with eight advanced piezo print heads and Roland's Precision Firing Pattern™ for outstanding quality at speeds up to 548 sqft/hr. Equally important is media handling, and the DFP-74 features an intelligent media handling system that communicates directly with the motherboard to ensure precise movements with every pass of the printer. Once printed, the media passes through a temperature-controlled heating system that monitors each phase of the heating process and makes adjustments to the temperature automatically to ensure images cure quickly and evenly.

High-Capacity Bulk Ink System
The DFP-74 bulk ink system features new HeatWave SBL-2 sublimation inks in 1 liter bottles, ideal for unattended printing and lower production costs.

Automated Intelligent Maintenance System
This unique system actively monitors the printer and automatically performs routine maintenance. As a result, the DFP-74 can be left unattended for extended periods of time without drying ink or clogging print heads.

• Complete 74" direct-to-fabric digital printing solution
• HeatWave sublimation inks produce rich, saturated colors (or use J-Teck for improved performance)
• Print resolution up to 720 x 720 dpi
• Print speeds up to 548 sqft/hr
• Powerful Roland VersaWorks™ RIP software included

Direct Print vs. Transfer?

The transfer method sublimation process involves printing an image on a special media that usually is a special dye sublimation paper with a receptive coating that holds the ink. The direct sublimation method actually deposits the ink onto the media itself, and then it's fixed into the media using heat and pressure. The demand for both Transfer dye sublimation and direct dye sublimation is huge. Transfer printing will give you excellent lines in your image. Direct prints are soft because the ink will migrate with the texture of the fabric. Transfer printing is good when image detail is the most important element of you printing method. Direct printing is good when better penetration into the fabric is needed, especially in the Flag and Banner markets. Give us a call at Digitally Driven and we will consult with you the best method of printing for your company.

Why J-Teck sublimation inks?

J-Teck Sublimation inks will perform better. You will get better color. You will be able to print with a lower head height meaning less head strikes. You will get better runability. And best of all, you will get Digitally Driven experts to help you with any problems you might face. At Digitally Driven, we know sublimation. You will get the best service, competitive pricing, and true performance from your equipment.

Mimaki JV5-320DS Printer - 3rd party inks?

From Mimaki's announcement on the Mimaki JV5-320DS printer we read the following:

The Mimaki JV5-320DS is based on the award winning Mimaki JV5-320S solvent super wide printer, and has been designed in reply to the growth in demand for outside soft signage on polyester textiles, that are better catered for with water based dye sublimation inks.

This super large format direct dye sublimation printer boasts some extremely useful & productivity enhancing features, such as the ink catching trough preventing any staining to the back side of the fabric when passing through, the new drying fan which prevents the media from sticking during the winding process, and Mimaki's new Spray Suppressor System to improve printing consistency.

The JV5-320DS also features Mimaki's Automatic Media Feeder (AMF) to allow stable feeding of heavy weight media, of up to 130kg.

This soft signage printer can reach print speeds of up to 60.3 square metres per hour, and deep vibrant colours are made possible with Mimaki's superior Sb52 dye-sublimation ink.

The Mimaki Bulk Ink Supply System (MBISS) is also available for this printer, which provides an ink load of 2 litre containers and enables long uninterrupted print runs, and significant cost savings on ink.

Mimaki has struggled to get their SB52 inks into the American market. To date, Mimaki has listed much of this ink on their near expiration list for users to purchase the sublimation ink at better price. In an effort to maintain sublimation ink sales, Mimaki has made some definate changes to the Mimaki JV5-320DS printer. One of those changes is the apparent inability to successfully run 3rd party sublimation inks. Tell me if I'm wrong, but I have not heard of a successful install using a 3rd party sublimation ink. Knowing this, we at Digitally Driven took it upon ourselves to make a successful install of the JV5-320DS printer using 3rd party inks. After several months, we developed a solution to adapt the printer for use with other, non-OEM inks, such as J-Teck or Stork. If you need help getting your printer to run or would like to purchase the highest quality grand format dye sublimation machine on the market, give us a call. We're here to help.

Manoukian Dual issues?

Let me start off by saying Manoukian makes a good ink. I have worked with Manoukian inks for several years and found that they are stable and consistent. Unfortunately if you own a Mimaki JV5 printer and you're running the Manoukain Dual ink you might be wondering why you ever purchased a Mimaki JV5. That's what I first thought as I went to several clients running Manoukian Dual inks. Each customer complained about excessive dropouts, always having to clean the printers, etc. For months, the dialog between my clients and manoukian went on. For months, Manoukian claimed that their ink was perfect and there were no issues with the Manoukian Dual ink formulation. After much delay, I had the customer use the Manoukian HD1 inks (another formulation that Manoukian offers and which has been around for much longer). The problem went away, printing efficiency more than doubled and the client was much happier. If you have been experiencing dropout on the JV5 and there is no explainable reason for it, maybe you too should question your sublimation ink. We are experienced in sublimation and we know what to look for when you're having a problem. We're a customer minded company. What you need is our first priority. We have sublimation and direct print solutions that work.

Acid Dye Inks - Which one should I use?

If you're printing with Acid dye inks, look no further than Digitally Driven. We have tested Advance Chemical, Huntsman, Manoukian and others. If you want the best, choose Stork Acid inks. Only with Stork will you achieve the color gamut you're looking for. In comparing colors among all of the inks, only Stork reached densities necessary for creating and achieving a great profile.

Chip Resetter vs. Chip Decoder

When getting into the Mimaki JV5 or Mimaki JV33 printers with dye sublimation inks, it is important to consider whether or not you want to use a chip resetter or chip decoder. Both a chip resetter and chip decoder will simulate the original OEM chip. So why should you get one over another? A chip decoder will allow you more flexibility if your business changes and you want to be able to do more things. Chip resetters are built specifically for 1 type of chip. If you ever want to change to a different inkset or if Mimaki changes how those chips behave through firmware updates, you will no longer be able to use your chip resetter. A Decoder on the other hand is controlled by software and firmware. If Mimaki makes changes that the decoder cannot recognize, all one would need to do is update the firmware and or software for hi/her decoder. Digitally Driven offers both a Chip Decoder and Chip Resetter. We recommend the Chip Decoder for Mimaki JV33 and JV5 printers.

Direct Printing on Synthetic Textile Fabric

Direct printing onto Synthetic Textile Fabrics requires dye or pigment ink.The best sublimation ink replacement for direct printing would be the J-Teck Direct Print Inks. J-teck offers two kinds of Direct Print dye inks, the J-Eco Print Nano NP-60 and the J-Eco Print HF Nano NP-61. Both these inks will work excellent as a replacement to traditional dye sublimation inks. The reason? J-Tecks digital direct print dye inks use the same dyes that are found in their traditional transfer sublimation inks. This means you'll get predictable and reliable color. Direct print dye inks work in Epson, Mimaki, Roland, Mutoh, D-Gen, and other Epson based wide format printers dye sublimation. It is still required to fixate the fabric through a calender (heat press) or printer attached heating elements. J-Eco Print HF direct print inks will give you approximately 4 times the outdoor durability of regular sublimation inks. Though color is not quite as intense, this is a better alternative flag and banner printing.

Data Merge and Dye Sublimation

Data Merge is one of the most important advantages to going digital with dye sublimation. With Data Merge, you can print customized designs for individual team members or change a word on 100's of flags being displayed. Data Merge can save the designer time and the printer money. Customers love the ability to have customized one of a kind jerseys with no additional costs.

Is that printhead really bad?

I recently came across a customer who purchased a brand new Mimaki JV4 wide format printer. Upon install, the technician noted that a printhead was not firing properly and proceeded to replace the head with a new one. This did not correct the problem. Another head was ordered and installed and again, the problem remained. If you're having problems with your Mimaki printheads, give us a call. Oftentimes it is not what it seems and it could be a simple, inexpensive fix.