Latex, solvent or eco solvent for new printer?

[pw66]

I am ruling out Latex, largely because HP themselves only recommend the garment vinyl for 20 washes.
It is a shame - everyhing else about the format appeals to me - but I don't fancy explaining to existing garment customers why their clothing doesn't last as well as before.

Now I am limiting my search to solvent or eco solvent. Probably Mimaki vs Roland. Anyone got any input?

[Quinsfan]

Is that for their own materials and profiles?


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[socialgiraffe]

I have only ever used a Roland so this "comment" is coming from limited experience...

There have been many people who have switched from Roland to Mimaki and told me that they really wished they had stayed with Roland. I have not heard similar complaints when switching from Mimaki to Roland.

[pw66]

Is that for their own materials and profiles?


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I have no idea.

Having looked around, it has struck me that none of the HP stockists are pushing this for garment printing. Further more none of the 'usual' garment print suppliers - xpres, tmt, graphityp etc sell the machines ( they sell the media), and that is enough for me to discount the format.

I like the idea of Latex printing, but don't have the budget to get both latex and solvent/eco solvent.

[Justin]

I am ruling out Latex, largely because HP themselves only recommend the garment vinyl for 20 washes.

Not an issue we've found.

[Quinsfan]

Not an issue we've found.

This issue may have been on earlier inks and models. We are on the 3rd Generation inks and machines.


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[pw66]

I am not prepared to take the risk.
My core busines is garment printing, with some signs and banners, so if there is any doubt as to performance then I'll go for a proven format.
If it were the other way round, with garments as the 'sideline' then I would go for latex without a doubt.

As yet I haven't found an HP stockist who wholeheartedly promotes this as an ideal solution for garment printing.

[Justin]

If your main business is clothing surely you'd be better off looking at DTG or screen printing? The printers discussed will only produce transfers.

[pw66]

If your main business is clothing surely you'd be better off looking at DTG or screen printing? The printers discussed will only produce transfers.

I already screen print, but with a minimum quantitiy of 100 pieces.

DTG doesn't suit or appeal. I don't want another time consuming production method, and dtg is no good for banners or signs. A large part of my output is polyester.

I am looking at bringing the capacity for multicolour logos in house. I currently outsource locally, so I have an existing demand and I know the capability of the machines.
For lower volumes it isn't convenient for me to collect or for the printer to mess about with. He is also not too keen on producing signs and banners for me to sell.

[pw66]

I have finally made my decision.
Just ordered a Mimaki CJV 150-130 (54"). I was going to get the smaller CJV 150 -107, but the larger model was available with £3000 discount, bringing it to within £2k of the 107 - way too close to the price of the smaller model to ignore.

Now all I have to do is decide on the ink configuration, and choose between solvent or eco solvent ink.

Thanks for all the input, very much appreciated.