The Mimaki sublimation transfer printer “TPC-1000” was used to demonstrate printing at an event “Glitch@TOKYO kaihou-ku,” which was held from June 18th to July 1st, 2014 in Isetan, Shinjuku, Tokyo.
TOKYO Kaihou-ku - Tokyo liberation zone -
TOKYO kaihou-ku is at the forefront of fashion trends and demonstrates its fascination with fashion via unique cultural and creative works in Tokyo.
This event* was named “Glitch @ TOKYO kaihou-ku,” and it focused on a “Glitch image” that was purposely created using bugs and errors. This art collaboration used glitch images, Sanrio characters, and a Mimaki printer; moreover, it showed how apparel design can be liberated from conventional concepts.
*The Glitch @ Tokyo kaihou-ku has already finished. Currently, the TPC-1000 printer, and it is not being demonstrated at Isetan, Shinjuku Tokyo.
- Glitch @ TOKYO kaihou-ku -
Dates: June 18th to July 1st, 2014
Venue: Tokyo kaihou-ku at Isetan, Shinjuku, Tokyo
A wide-format printer/cutter: Mimaki TPC-1000
The TPC-1000 is an inkjet printer and cutter for professionals, and is usually installed in factories. Visitors who came to Tokyo @ kaihou-ku were amazed at this wide-format professional use printer, as they had never seen such as a printer before.
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Working processes for custom printing
①A visitor selected a glitch design from the image data designed by the designer Ucnv, and the selected design was sent to the Mimaki TPC-1000 printer.
②The TPC-1000 printer printed the data, and then cut the printed transfer paper.
③The printed image was transferred onto fabric using a heat press machine. Please visit the Mimaki website for more information about transfer printing.
④Finished! The custom-made printed goods were quickly created at the Glitch @ Tokyo kaihou-ku venue.
Participant artists and their glitch arts
・Ucnv >> http://ucnv.org/
・Nukeme >> http://nukeme.nu/
Interview with Ucnv
Mimaki interviewed Mr. Ucnv, who designed the glitch images for the TPC-1000 printer.
M (Mimaki): I would like to ask you about your art works. How do you usually produce your works?
U (Mr. Ucnv): Due to the nature of glitch art, I usually publish my work using digital data but I also have several other ways. I have used a digital textile printer for apparel designs. Recently, one of my works was printed on photo paper.
M: Thank you for selecting the Mimaki printer from a wide range of alternatives. How did you get the idea to install the printer at the department store?
U: I simply thought that it would be fun if there was a printer on the Isetan sales floor.
M: It is a very interesting idea.
U: Generally, consumers have a chance to see the finished works on the web or at the store but do not have a chance to see the art work creation process. I wanted to offer visitors a new experience, and I got the idea to show them the actual printing process on the sales floor.
M: It must have been an absolutely new experience for them.
U: Definitely, the atmosphere in the event space was beyond my expectation. The concept of this glitch art event was to “Change an ordinary object into a strange object.” Thus, the event space represented this event concept.
M: Was the Mimaki TPC-1000 printer useful for you?
U: Yes! I assumed that the inkjet printer would be unable to reproduce deep colors, but I was wrong. I was surprised to see the print results. The printed colors were so vivid and vibrant! I am completely satisfied with a capability of the TPC-1000.
M: Thank you for the compliment. Are you going to use the TPC-1000 in the future?
U: I would love to use it when I have a chance. Next time, I would like to print the glitch image onto a whole surface.
What is a Glitch?
The original meaning of the word is an error or an inexplicable problem or condition occurring in a system. Recently, it has been used for an art technique that purposely generates a broken image.
Inkjet printer and cutter TPC-1000
The TPC-1000 prints an original image onto transfer paper, and then immediately cuts the printed image.
>> TPC-1000｜Product information page
Contact info
MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
Global Marketing Department
2182-3, Shigeno-Otsu, Tomi-city, Nagano, Japan
Postal code, 389-0512
TEL：+81-(0)268-64-2281 FAX：+81-(0)268-64-2285
User profile
- NameIsetan, Shinjuku, Tokyo
- Address3-14-1, Shinjuku ,Shinjuku-ku ,Tokyo , Japan
- Phone number81-3-3352-1111