The global digital
textile printing market is projected to reach US$ 8.8 billion by 2027, growing at
a CAGR of 19.1% from 2020 to 2027, according to a report by Allied Market
Research. The growing requirement for customization and the demand for greater
sustainability have driven the development of digital printing. In response to
these trends, renowned industry players have overhauled their portfolios with
new technologies and solutions.
Groundbreaking
entry-level hybrid printer with high versatility
With the purpose of
allowing smaller print service providers to enter new markets, Mimaki Europe
launched its brand-new hybrid digital textile printer, the Tx300P-1800 MkII, in
February 2020.
Uniquely designed with
versatility at its core, the new printer enables both direct-to-textile and
transfer printing, with interchangeable platens and three different ink
combinations – providing high flexibility within a single system and opening
new doors for print service providers.
With Mimaki’s
Tx300P-1800 digital textile printer having previously led the way for
high-quality, cost-effective printing, the evolved Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII now
adds sublimation transfer printing to its capabilities, opening up a host of
possible new materials and applications.
The capability to
fulfil diverse applications from fashion textiles to interior fabrics and
wallpaper within one system makes the printer an ideal entry-level solution.
It affords both smaller
print service providers and large volume production houses all of the
well-known benefits of digital print technology not attainable with analogue
print methods still prevalent in the modern textile printing industry,
including more cost-effective short runs and faster turnarounds, benefits that
make this technology ideal for sampling.
According to Mimaki,
with the introduction of this new hybrid printer, the company is not only
delivering an affordable, streamlined single-system solution for printing on
both paper and textile, but also providing print service providers with the
versatility to continue exploring different substrates and applications as they
grow their businesses into the future.
The ability of the
Mimaki Tx300P-1800 MkII to switch between direct-to-textile and transfer
printing is enabled by its interchangeable platens. When printing
direct-to-textile, excess ink penetrated through the fabric is drained by a
platen with an ink-receiving channel. When printing on heat transfer paper
however, this platen can be quickly and easily exchanged for a vacuum platen
needed for paper printing – without the need for service engineers.
The hybrid printer is
also able to facilitate either a traditional one-way ink set, configured with
any one of five ink types, as well as various combinations of inks, providing
great flexibility.
Users are able to
select from three different ink combinations – textile pigment/direct
sublimation, textile pigment/sublimation transfer, or direct
sublimation/sublimation transfer – to provide the best results across various
applications.
Novel retail-ready DTG
machines
Kornit Digital
introduced two new digital direct-to-garment (DTG) print systems at Impressions
Expo Long Beach event, which took place on January 17-19, 2020 in Long Beach,
California.
The novel Vulcan Plus
and Storm HD6 Lite systems appeal to numerous production areas with their new
capabilities, from polyester sportswear and athleisure garments. Both solutions
make retail-quality DTG impressions accessible to printers and brands of every
size and need.
As introduced, Vulcan
Plus is the next-generation system for DTG mass customization. Able to deliver
more than 2,000 retail-quality impressions in a 12-hour shift, Vulcan Plus
builds on the success and feedback from customers using Kornit Vulcan, a 2017
SGIA Product of the Year.
The eco-friendly
system, which has undergone beta testing by Kornit customers in both the United
States and Europe, represents a high capacity DTG print system in Kornit’s
product portfolio and the broader marketplace.
The stability and
reliability of the Vulcan platform have been improved considerably, giving the
customer improved uptime and utilization from the equipment, and thus lower
overall cost of ownership.
Vulcan Plus comes with
the advanced NeoPigment Eco-Rapid ink set for good print quality and handfeel,
and is compatible with ColorGATE RIP software, which enables easy color
matching, Pantone libraries, effects like semi-transparency and black
knockouts, and PDF workflows.
Vulcan Plus is rated to
print up to 235 impressions per hour, sized 13” by 13” on dark garments, with
Kornit’s single-step process. Depending on the job types and working hours
involved, this translates to anywhere from 550,000 to more than one million
impressions annually.
Achieving approximately
50% higher throughput than Kornit Atlas, Vulcan Plus does compromise on application
flexibility, requiring all eight of its pallets to be of the same type.
Available pallets include: standard tee, youth/ladies, zipper hoodie,
sleeve/legging and tote bag.
Moreover, the Storm HD6
Lite system has been designed to enable print shops of all sizes with on-demand
DTG printing that meets the retail quality and sustainability standards of the
renowned retail brands.
With a production
capacity of up to 60,000 impressions annually, Storm HD6 Lite provides DTG
printing for smaller print operations, such as commercial printers moving to
the industrial market and analog printers broadening their production
capabilities. Storm HD6 Lite effectively replaces Kornit Storm II.
In addition to
presenting Vulcan Plus and Storm HD6 Lite, Kornit gave visitors the opportunity
to observe the live demonstrations of the brand’s eco-friendly Atlas, Avalanche
Poly Pro, and Storm HD6 systems for on-demand DTG printing.
Innovative softener
allows improved handfeel for fashion on demand
Kornit Digital also released
its new NeoPigment Robusto Softener solution for Presto, the company’s system
for digital, pigment-based direct-to-fabric decoration.
The solution allows
Kornit Presto users to manufacture on demand for top retail and fashion brands,
with no compromise on handfeel. The company said, with NeoPigment Robusto
Softener, the Presto is a complete solution for printing, softening and drying
in a single step.
Reflecting Kornit’s
commitment to expanding sustainable, on-demand (i.e. waste-free) decoration
capabilities to all corners of the textile industry, this solution eliminates a
key barrier between digital, pigment-based impressions and the fashion
industry—namely, a softer handfeel.
The new Softener
solution is a product of the brand’s continuous innovation strategy, making
Kornit technology the fashion world’s solution for on-demand proximity
production.
By streamlining the end-to-end
process, these systems eliminate the need to predict demand and manage
inventory, while supporting global sustainability imperatives.
Offering vibrant
colors, intricate design capabilities, and a fabric touch that is second to
none, Kornit’s pigment-based digital print solutions require minimal space and
labor relative to competitive offerings.
According to Ronen
Samuel, Kornit CEO, the new Softener addresses the final sticking point the
company has encountered for high fashion and other markets considering a move
to digital printing.
A complete solution for
small run to large scale production
Epson unveiled two new
models with 64 and 8 printheads from the Monna Lisa Evo Tre range, as well as
the new Genesta pigment ink at ITMA 2019.
The new Monna Lisa Evo
Tre range features Epson PrecisionCore Technology to offer a complete solution
for all textile market needs, from large scale, high speed production to small
run, on demand sample printing.
The new flagship Monna
Lisa Evo Tre scanning printer with 64 PrecisionCore printheads is built for
high productivity without compromising the printing quality, thanks to its
maximum printing speed of 779 sqm/h.
Monna Lisa Evo Tre 64’s
PrecisionCore technology combines quality, accuracy and speed which provides
the maximum level of flexibility and reliability. With resolution up to 1200
dpi, the flagship model works on Genesta acid, reactive, disperse and pigment
ink types.
Another highlight at
the booth was the new entry-level printer, the Monna Lisa Evo Tre 8, with 8
PrecisionCore printheads. The model is suitable for printing samples by
delivering high quality for an affordable price. It can print at the maximum
printing speed of 265 sqm/h.
This new Monna Lisa Evo
Tre series model can be upgraded at the factory to 16 printheads, while
maintaining the high versatility available in all Epson industrial textile
solution machines. The system works on
Genesta acid, reactive, disperse and pigment ink types, with resolution up to
1200 dpi.
Epson continued its
mission of providing the total solutions with the new breakthrough Genesta
PG-Revo pigment ink.
The ink provides
industry-standard dry and wet rub fastness in deep shades without
post-treatment of fabric by faster chemical and physical bonding characteristics.
It allows high-quality printing on a wide range of fabric types and
applications including fast growing on-demand fashion and home textile markets.
PG-Revo ink does not
consume water in the post printing process, which makes it very environmentally
friendly. PG-Revo inks can be also applied on fabrics without pre-treatment,
further boosting their eco-friendly performances.
New hybrid binder for
waterborne printing inks
In June 2020, Dow
presented a new generation hybrid binder for the formulation of waterborne
screen printing inks achieving good durability, color brightness and opacity on
fabrics made of synthetic and natural fibers for the growing streetwear and
sportswear markets.
With boundaries between
outdoor and fashion apparel getting vaguer, DOWSIL Print 041 Binder helps inks
formulators and screen printing shops meet key customer demands for soft hand
feel and bright colors that don’t crack, fade or run, while controlling
processing costs and achieving outstanding durability.
As the fashion industry
adopts production practices and materials with reduced environmental impacts to
meet tightening regulatory requirements and sustainability commitments, Dow’s
innovative printing ink technology can help leading brands to combine stylish
look, easy-care, durability, profitability and sustainability.
An innovative acrylic
polyurethane hybrid material, DOWSIL Print 041 Textile Printing Ink Binder
enables drop-in, waterborne alternative formulations to conventional textile
printing inks, combining high performance, cost-effectiveness, and outstanding
sustainability profile.
Inks formulated with
DOWSIL Print 041 Binder combine ease of use in existing screen printing
equipment, with good adhesion and high image opacity in both synthetic fabrics
and cotton. Printed textiles display high resistance to elongation, as well as
high washing, rub, and ironing fastness compared to conventional alternatives
to PVC inks.
Brand owners and
regulatory bodies in Europe, North America and around the world have been
progressively restricting the use of textile inks containing PVC and phthalates
based on health and environmental concerns over the past several years.
Next-generation digital
inks for cellulosics and polyester/cotton blends
In order to help
customers achieve high performance printing on cellulosics and polyester/cotton
blends, Huntsman Textile Effects launched the next-generation of high
performance digital ink ranges at ITMA 2019.
As the industry’s focus
on sustainability and performance increases coupled with the rising market
demand for polyester/cotton blends, these two new product ranges offer advanced
performance substantially enhancing sustainability and environmental standards.
NOVACRON ADVANCE ink is
the next generation of reactive inks for cellulosics with outstanding shade
depth and color gamut, developed for the latest industrial digital printing
machines.
The full range achieves
remarkable deep shades with perfect reliability and reproducibility compared to
currently available technologies.
ERIOFAST VISTA ink
enables printers to achieve lasting designs on polyester/cotton blends, and
outperforms alternative solutions in digital printing in terms of brilliancy,
color depth, fabric handle and wash fastness.
Using inks from
ERIOFAST VISTA ink range enables printers to adopt a simple urea-free process
with significantly reduced energy consumption, washing, machine maintenance and
carbon dioxide emissions.
More efficient to use
with higher mileage, these products require minimal maintenance and result in
greater savings while meeting stringent industry standards.