I've been considering buying the Mimaki 604D, primarily for it's discharge capability because I'm trying to move away from direct t-shirt screenprinting- I want the carousel space back, and I mostly do SP transfers... so
I was wondering if someone would be interested in discharging a few shirts
(with our art) for us - ofcourse we'd pay whatever the usual retail price.
I don't want to get samples from Mimaki directly, I want prints from someone who works with the machine in a real world environment.
If you're willing to pay shipping, we'll do it. I can do a few samples for you with different techniques we use here to get different effects. I'll even write up a brief explanation of each technique. I will say that a few samples will only give you an idea of what is possible on that particular colored shirt from that particular brand.
Unlike printing on light shirts, discharging produces some slight variations in color from shirt to shirt as the color removal is never perfectly even on every shirt. We can get some good results, but not with the precision of a dark image on a light shirt unless you're willing to put down several layers of discharge and that's not commercially feasible for us. It just takes too long per shirt. Two layers of discharge are usually sufficient for a decent quality on most shirts.
If you're interested, you can email us at mclishsportswear AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for the offer- McClish and Dan both
However I sent for a discharge + color on black shirt from a Mimaki dealer with a request for
the total print time and cost of the shirt
I received a black and white shirt with the same full color image, but no info on print time or cost for either.
They both looked great until I washed them and the discharged shirt easily lost 70% of its
colored inks- totally un-sellable as far as I'm concerned. The white shirt looked fine after
1 wash but there are plenty light shirt solutions for a lot less than the Mimaki
I've been told the 604's are built off the JV3 chasis which I know to be and industrial level machine so I thought this would be a good machine.
BTW, Dan I see you are from Carpinteria, I was there for a week a in late sept - would
have been real glad to meet you and see a Mimaki in action
sorry I missed you, would have been happy to demo the machine for you.
I can tell you that the machine uses the same printheads as a JV3. (which are Epson 10000 models, btw.) If you buy them from Mimaki, they're a little over $900. I found some on ebay for $500. (search for JV3 heads...)
after running one for two years, I can tell you that the machine is pretty solid. discharge has some issues, for sure.
something to be aware of is your supplier. don't know where you're located, but here is so cal, there is one supplier of inks, and they're not all that together with getting your shipments out. you don't want to be sitting there, with work ready to go, and no ink to print. If you're going to take the plunge, make sure you have a supplier who can deliver.
I would also say that the sales reps that I have seen don't know the machine (and it's capabilities) as well as they should. There are jobs that work, and jobs that don't. I've gotten to where I can tell pretty well, though I am still occasionally surprised (both positively and negatively.) I will tell you that once you stop thinking about discharge as providing you with a white, and accept it for what it is, you'll find that there are a lot of good things you can do with it.
I would be willing to send you a sample of your work, and let you know how long it took to print, if you'll send me a file.
I know discharge very well and know that it is not white, and that the 604d doesnt do white.
My main issue is that the color washed out where printed cymk.
I would be happy to pay retail value if I could get a black t discharged and over printed, using
my art - which would take the dis/prt into consideration.
As for inks- my Roland dealer is also a Mimaki dealer/tech and supplies from him for my
Soljet are never a problem - timely overnite service
++++++++++++++++++
Since two folks replied to my request I would be happy to send the same art to both
and pay the regular retail - mainly because I know that there are DTG printers & DTG printers- just as in any digital printing
Just send me an email and I will reply with art
Thanks
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
it's good that you have a good supplier for your SolJet. I would caution you in regard to the Mimaki that the inks it uses are propreitary to the machine, and since there are few of them out there in 'the wild,' I have had supply issues. (one time, I was told that the only discharge fluid in the states was sitting on a pallette in customs.) Just a head's up to the wise..
don't seem to be able to find your email.. i'm at .
Mimaki Discharge Printing 
