Dye-sublimation transfer printing is a method in which the design is first printed on transfer paper and then transferred by heat and pressure to polyester or polyester-coated substrates. The sublimation ink evaporates under heat, adheres to synthetic fibers and provides high color saturation, softness in the hand (no plastic coating) and durability, especially when polyester is used. Direct-to-fabric printing (DTF or direct DTG) prints directly on fabric; some fabrics (such as cotton) are more suitable for direct printing, but the dyes and processes are different. Built specifically for transfer paper + polyester workflows, TS55-1800 delivers high speed and vibrant colors, especially for synthetic fabrics.

The TS55-1800 is designed to reduce operating costs through several levers: bulk ink (10 kg tanks) for the base colors reduce ink costs; large rolls of transfer paper (mini jumbo) reduce media changes; high-speed modes reduce labor costs per unit printed; features such as automatic nozzle recovery reduce waste. The actual cost per square meter depends on your ink coverage, paper costs, labor, electricity and finishing steps. In many cases, improved throughput and reduced downtime make the cost per area significantly more favorable compared to smaller or less capable machines.

It is ideal for synthetic fabrics (polyester or polyester blend), fashion and apparel that require vibrant colors, soft signage, flags, indoor textiles (curtains, pillows), interior textiles, sportswear and promotional graphics. For natural fibers (cotton, linen, etc.), sublimation is less effective unless the substrate or fabric is appropriately coated. Finishing via a heat press or calender is also required to perform the transfer correctly.

The TS55-1800 is built with reliability in mind: features such as the Nozzle Check Unit (NCU) and Nozzle Recovery System (NRS) allow detection and automatic correction or compensation of nozzle errors. With the optional mini jumbo roll and extended heating element, you can continuously process long rolls of paper. However, the success of long nightly productions depends on maintaining optimal environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), using high-quality consumables and power stability.

The printer supports resolutions up to 1,200 dpi, enabling very fine detail and smooth gradients. The optional 6/7/8 color sets (including light colors and fluorescent colors) increase color fidelity and expressiveness. For close-view or high-end mode, the higher-throughput modes are used. For signage viewed from afar, lower resolution/more passes may be sufficient and much faster.

Dimensions are about 3,240 × 713 × 1,857 mm; weight about 202 kg. You need adequate floor space, room for loading the rollers and for maintenance. Power supply: 1-phase alternating current, 100-120 V or 200-240 V, depending on your region. Power consumption is about 1.92 kW in full mode. Environmental control: 20-30 °C, 35-65% RH, non-condensing. Provide good ventilation. Professional installation and training are strongly recommended.

Consistency is promoted by using the same ink types (Sb610), the same media, the same RIP software and settings. The software supports 16-bit rendering, nesting, feed correction per mode. Regular calibration, profiling and consistent environmental conditions help. Mimaki also provides support materials for color matching and proofing.

The main accessories are:

• Mini Jumbo Roll Unit: for very long paper rolls (Vision Jet-X), to reduce manual roll changing and operating costs for large volumes.
• 10 kg Ink Supply Unit: reduces ink replacement frequency and cost for basic colors.
• Extended heating: supports high ink coverage and helps drying, especially at high speeds. Helps prevent media cockling, etc.

The inks (Sb610) are certified (e.g. ECO-PASSPORT by Oeko-Tex). The printer complies with common global safety and environmental standards (FCC Class A, CE, RoHS, etc.). Use of the printer within the recommended ambient temperature and humidity is important for safety, print quality and device life. Also, use original inks and consumables to ensure compliance and safety.

Warranty terms vary by region and vendor, but usually a one-year manufacturer's warranty applies to the printer. Different terms may apply for consumables and wear parts. It is important to buy through authorized dealers (such as Dimix) for full support, spare parts, service contracts and training. Training in media handling, RIP software and cleaning/maintenance tasks maximize uptime and quality.