“It has not all been plain sailing though, with huge obstacles to overcome including fabric pretreatment chemistry, new ink technology and questionable fabric handling capabilities of the early printers.”

Thankfully, says Mighall, there has been enough enthusiasm and determination from all concerned, including the chemical companies, wide format machine manufacturers, dealers and end users to work together and grow this small sector of the industry into a viable means of producing high quality printed textiles for a range of applications.

“Textile digital printing is now established within our industry, with RA Smart regularly receiving orders for several thousand metres as well as a continual flow of customers requiring smaller quantities,” he says. “This technology has been particularly embraced by our fashion customers, who see the huge benefits for their (relatively) short run requirements to be digitally printed without the constraints normally associated with traditional screen printing methods. No more worries about screen costs for an eight or 10 colour design and trying to find a UK printer willing to print a few hundred metres without exorbitant premiums.”

RA Smart has invested heavily in digital print and now claims to have the largest digital textile facility in the UK, with a range of machines including three Mimaki TX2s, one Mimaki TX3, one Mimaki JV3 for specialist wallpaper applications and two Robustelli Monna Lisa production textile machines capable of printing over 120sq/mt per hour.

It also has two dye sublimation machines, including the new Miamki JV5 printing at speeds of 40 sq/mt per hour at a resolution of 540x1080 dpi.

“This investment will continue as we see the inevitable increased demand for digitally printed textiles and the introduction of faster machines and improved and new ink technologies,” predicts Mighall.

As the major dealer in the UK for Mimaki textile printing systems and working closely with Hybrid, Mimaki’s exclusive UK distributor, RA Smart draws on its 35 years of experience and knowledge in the textile printing industry to guide customers through the potential pitfalls when utilising digital technology for their own applications. These applications are certainly widespread, adds Mighall, covering a myriad of products including: household textiles, high end fashion, sportswear, swimwear, interior design, specialist needlecraft, marquee manufacture, soft signage, flags and banners and education to name but a few.

RA Smart has taken its knowledge and experience from the wide format sector and used it to the benefit of its small format customers, as Mighall explains: “Rather than being just an interesting ‘sideline’ our small format business is now an increasingly important part of our portfolio.

“We have made strategic partnerships with key manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and consumables to offer our small format customers a ‘one stop shop’ for all their small format digital requirements.”

As the European distributor for Geo Knight heatpresses, RA Smart can offer customers, either directly or through one of its authorised dealers, a solution to suit their requirements and budget.

“We are continually searching for new products and solutions for our customers and over recent months we have had some very exciting new products to offer, including our new Kisscut paper, which is a new generation of selfweeding inkjet transfer paper that can be further enhanced with foils,” says Mighall.

The company also offers the Smartcut system – a turnkey solution for customers wishing to use garment film, vinyl and flock – as well as its own brand of ready made garments designed and manufactured specifically (although not exclusively) for dye sublimation. The garments use high wicking performance fabrics in both a cotton feel leisure garment and a technical performance garment. It also has the same performance fabrics available in rolls to allow customers to manufacture their own garments.

Mighall concludes: “After a few false dawns, textile digital printing is now a reality for sampling, bespoke applications and short to medium production quantities, creating high quality, useable products. Over the next few years we will see an ever increasing use of this technology within our industry.”

Web: www.rasmart.co.uk

Email Magnus@rasmart.co.uk

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