Mimaki India, a provider of digital printing of signage and textiles, recently shifted its office premises from Delhi to Gurugram, which is a much bigger facility with a demo center to showcase its products from all three segments — sign graphics, industrial products, and textile apparels.
In 2023, the company installed several units of its JV330 series, a high-speed eco solvent-based machine, and the TxF150-75 direct-to-film printer (DTF) across India.
Naved Nakhwa from Mimaki India’s marketing team told Indian Printer and Publisher that the company has gained significant market share with its range of UV roll-to-roll printers, including 5 ft and 10 ft solutions. Anticipating more demand for its offerings, Mimaki is expanding its demo facility to showcase new products.
“We were selling a limited number of our high-end products such as the 8×4 ft UV flatbed printer, the 10 ft roll-to-roll UV printer, and our Tiger series, which is a high-speed sublimation printer. But this year that trend is changing. The number of installations for these models increased drastically in 2023-24, motivating us to continue in the Indian markets.”
Sustainability and trends
Sustainability and circularity are essential for any business today. “Working in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and adhering to the guidelines, we have been using inks that are Green Guard gold-certified and safer for the environment,” Nakhwa says.
There has been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable practices in signage and textiles. This includes the use of environment-friendly inks, materials, and manufacturing processes.
UV curing technology and sustainability are interconnected in various ways, as UV curing offers several environmental benefits such as reduced energy consumption. This process involves using ultraviolet light to initiate a photochemical reaction, which is more energy-efficient than heating large volumes of material. The precise control over the curing process minimizes over-application, and the lack of solvents reduces the volume of waste generated during production.
UV LED curing technology is being increasingly adopted in UV printing. “Businesses sought to differentiate themselves through customized and personalized signage and textile products. Digital printing technologies enabled the creation of highly tailored and unique designs to meet individual customer needs,” Nakhwa said.
Going into 2024, the company expects a similar trend and to grow multiple fold, especially in the UV and textile segments, and foresees these segments as game changers.
“We have been installing high-end products this year such as the JFX200, our top-of-the-line UV flatbed printer, and our high-speed sublimation printer, which is again a premium product. So based on our past experiences, we are confident of growing stronger,” he says.
