The TS100-1600 is designed for roll-to-roll sublimation transfer printing, which means you first print on transfer paper and then heat transfer the image to polyester fabrics or polyester blends. Media thicknesses up to ~1 mm are supported. For best results, use high-quality transfer paper, check the humidity and surface finish, and make sure the polyester content is sufficient for vibrant colors. The transfer step (heat, pressure, time) is also critical.

The 70 sq m/h figure is the top speed in draft or fastest mode, with lower resolution and lighter ink coverage. In higher quality modes (600-900 dpi) or with heavy color coverage, speeds drop significantly, often to 20-40 sqm/h or less, depending on job size, RIP workflow, media handling overhead, etc. Always plan for "effective" or "average" throughput in your environment, not just peak speeds.

The TS100-1600 incorporates several automated systems from Mimaki: NCU (Nozzle Check Unit) to check nozzle health, NRS (Nozzle Recovery System) to treat defective nozzles without stopping production, DAS (Dot Adjustment System) for automatic feed alignment and correction, and MAPS4 to reduce banding. This helps maintain consistency, but operators must also use quality inks, maintain proper temperature and humidity, clean regularly and calibrate workflows.

You need a floor space about 2.78 m wide × 0.70 m deep × 1.48 m high; weight ~166 kg. It needs single-phase power (100-120 V or 200-240 V, depending on the region), a stable voltage and enough capacity for circuit breakers. The environment should be kept between 20-30 °C, humidity between 35-65% RH (non-condensing). Good ventilation helps maintain stable ink behavior and operator safety.

Ink is SB610 in 1 liter bottles, which provides a good price per square meter compared to smaller bottles. But the cost per print run depends greatly on the color coverage used, resolution mode, transfer quality (loss during transfer), waste from test prints, and so on. In addition, using original ink and recommended media helps avoid problems that can increase costs (such as spotty prints, rework).

Automated systems reduce many maintenance burdens (checking and cleaning nozzles, automatic adjustments). Regular maintenance tasks include cleaning (print heads, wipers), nozzle performance checks, making sure media rolls are loaded correctly, checking the environment. With proper maintenance and original supplies, uptime is usually high, but expect occasional downtime for maintenance, cleaning or adjustment, especially when changing media types.

Compared to premium or larger machines, the TS100-1600 may have fewer special color options (no fluorescent colors, etc.), may have a slower processing speed when the highest quality is required, and some media types (very thick, unusual substrates) may not be supported. However, for many standard transfer-to-polyester jobs, soft signage, interior fabrics, etc., it offers very good value: good quality, reliable automation, manageable operating costs.

The standard RIP software included is RasterLink7. For more advanced textile workflows, you can use TxLink4 (Lite or full), which supports more jobs, variable data, smoother gradations, etc. Make sure your computer hardware is sufficient (RAM, storage, CPU) to handle large files and high resolutions and you may need color profiling tools for accurate and repeatable colors.

The SB610 inks are certified under OEKO-TEX / ECO PASSPORT, which is crucial for textile applications, especially those involving skin contact, apparel, children's products or interior decoration. The printer also meets certifications such as CE, RoHS, ENERGY STAR, FCC, VCCI, etc. It is important to ensure that local regulations and safety requirements are met, especially for ventilation, waste ink handling and electrical installations.