Next Retail enhances in-house capabilities with Mimaki TxF150-75 DTF printer from CMYUK
Next Retail, the renowned British fashion and homeware retailer, has recently expanded its in-house print production capabilities with the addition of a new Mimaki TxF150-75 DTF direct-to-film (DTF) printer from CMYUK.
"We had previously experimented with garment printing, but the machine we had wasn't up to the task. We needed something more industrial, more reliable, and with better longevity,” explains Robert Foote, Reprographics Team Leader at Next.
The business was no stranger to Mimaki technology, so Robert reached out to CMYUK, a premium UK partner for the manufacturer. The TxF150-75 DTF was installed in the Next Reprographics hub situated at its HQ in Enderby, Leicester, for a trail period, so that Robert could secure the necessary buy-in and support from the wider organisation.
The trial period proved to be a crucial step in the decision-making process. Robert and his team organised an internal open day inviting Jason McNulty [CMYUK’s Senior Digital Sales Consultant] and Brett Platt [CMYUK’s Textile Business Manager] to showcase the printer’s capabilities to various departments.
"The open day was a great way for us to get feedback from the business and demonstrate the value of the Mimaki printer. The technical support and guidance from the CMYUK team were invaluable in answering all the questions our designers and managers had," he says.
The Mimaki advantage
The TxF150-75 DTF is Mimaki’s first DFT printer that integrates proven Mimaki technology to resolve common ink ejection and setting problems associated with current DFT printers on the market. It utilises ECO PASSPORT certified Mimaki thermal transfer pigment ink to ensure skin-friendly application with the highest image quality. This unique combination ensures a highly reliable and stable DTF printing workflow.
Prior to the Mimaki DTF purchase, Next's in-house print production department primarily focused on signage, financial documents, and communication materials. However, the addition of the new garment printer has expanded the department's capabilities, allowing it to take on a wider range of projects.
"The Mimaki printer has really added a new string to our bow," Robert explains. "It's not necessarily changing the way we work, but it's definitely added value to our department. We can now produce prototypes and one-off garments for events much faster and more cost-effectively than outsourcing."
The ability to quickly turn around prototypes has been a game-changer for Next's design teams. "Sometimes they'd have to get these prototypes produced abroad, and that could take six to 12 weeks," Robert says. "Now, we can do it in 24 hours, allowing them to make decisions and get the concepts into production much quicker."
This streamlined process has impacted significantly on Next's critical paths, reducing the time it takes to bring new designs to market. "The Mimaki printer has allowed us to reduce the critical path by eight to 12 weeks in some cases, that’s a huge advantage to our business,” he says.
The new capabilities have also led to increased exposure and engagement with other departments within the Next organisation. "Previously, the design areas all had their own large-format printers, so they didn't necessarily need to use our services," he explains. "But now, they know we have the fabric machine, an engraver, and other capabilities, they're coming to us more often. It's really opened up new avenues for collaboration and cost savings."
CMYUK relationship
The relationship between Next and CMYUK has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the Mimaki printer. “I've always found the pre-and post-sales experience at CMYUK to be superb. Jason has been great, and the technical support from the engineers has been fantastic. They understand that it can be challenging for me to justify new equipment purchases, so they've been really accommodating with the trial periods and open days,” says Robert.
As Next Retail continues to evolve and adapt to the changing retail landscape, the investment in the Mimaki printer has well positioned its reprographics hub to expand its services and drive innovation within the company.
Says Robert, “The Mimaki has really opened up new possibilities for us. We're now able to produce high-quality, durable garment prints in-house, which has been a game-changer for our internal branding and prototyping needs. With the support and expertise of the CMYUK team, we're confident that we can continue to push the boundaries of what's possible."