For about eight months we at FLAAR Reports have been aware of the new Mimaki latex ink printers, but as a courtesy to Mimaki we did not release any information on our web sites. Now that the launch of the Mimaki JV400-130LX, Mimaki JV400-160LX latex ink printers is public knowledge, we can speak about them.

Mimaki JV400-130LX, Mimaki JV400-160LX latex ink printers will primarily be competition for the Canon “outdoor printer” which will use a latex or resin like ink. The latest scoup is that this printer would not be ready for FESPA but now that the Mimaki JV400-130LX, Mimaki JV400-160LX latex ink printers are out, perhaps Canon will realize it needs to move faster.

The other ink that, unfortunately, will now face even more competition is AquaRes from Sepiax. We wish that all innovative inks are successful, but the wide-format industry has its traditional alliances, and it’s tough to succeed if the major alliances are nervous about the potential success of any new ink that did not kowtow to the industry system of paying commissions for all ink flowing through some brands of printheads.

This tradition of some printhead manufacturers to receive a hefty commission for all ink used through their heads raises costs for all printshops, and for many printer manufacturers. If printshop owners realized how all this functions, they might tend to vote-with-their-pocket book and help innovative inks (such as Sepiax) to survive and prosper.